Maryland Zoo is an EEO employer - M/F/Vets/Disabled
General Summary: The Horticulturist willprovide grounds and landscaping maintenance of assigned sections and assistwith horticulture planning, design, and overall appearance of the Zoo. This position reports to the HorticultureManager.
Essential Functions:Primary Function:- Provide routine maintenance to include, but not limited to, watering, spraying, weeding, fertilizing, pesticide application, pruning, mowing, mulching, edging, blowing, and leaf and debris removal;
- Maintain landscaping of assigned exhibit;
- Participate in the planning, designing, purchasing, planting, and maintenance of display gardens, exhibits and other related areas;
- Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them;
- Observe and document plant health for possible signs of insects or diseases;
- Operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, cultivate, harvest, and spray fields and plants;
- Inspect plants and bud ties to assess quality;
- Dig, cut, and transplant seedlings, cuttings, trees, and shrubs;
- Move containerized shrubs, plants, and trees using ball cart or tractors;
- Maintain cleanliness at work stations;
- Haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other materials to condition soil, using wheelbarrows or carts and shovels;
- Maintain knowledge of plants and associated problems such as diseases, weeds, and insect pests;
- Determine plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules;
- Assist with preventative maintenance on all equipment;
- Shovel areas clear of snow and ice;
- Fulfill on-call duty twenty-four hours a day in order to report as emergency personnel for situations such as snow removal and storm damage;
- Assist Exhibit Specialists with various projects;
- Assist with greenhouse maintenance;
- Maintain interior foliage plants in public areas and administrative offices;
- Participate in professional development and obtain industry certifications, as assigned;
- Ensure guest safety at all times;
- Performother duties as assigned; and,
- Adhere to all policies and procedures of the Zoo.
Communication (Internaland External):- Participate in keeper encounters, presentations and other educational zoo programs;
- Attend area, department and All Staff meetings;
- Respond appropriately to guests' questions, comments, or concerns;
- Communicate with fellow employees by a campus wide radio as needed following Zoo radio etiquette and protocol at all times; and,
- Contact an appropriate staff member necessary to resolve guest issues.
Management of Resources(financial, human resources, facilities):- Train volunteers to perform routine maintenance and special work assignments; and
- Must be able to work with volunteers assigned to the department.
Minimum Qualifications:Education: - Associates degree in Horticulture, Science or related field preferred. Related horticulture experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Bachelor's degree in related field may be considered in lieu of experience requirement.
Experience/Training: - Minimum of five years of horticulture experience in commercial landscaping or related industry strongly preferred;
- Prior and/ or current industry certification(s) preferred;
- Must possess plant knowledge; and,
- Must be 21 years old and posses a valid driver's license.
Working Conditions:- Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work- must be able to stand and remain active, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb and balance for an eight hour shift;
- Must be able to walk large areas of the Zoo as needed;
- Must be able to work in an outdoor weather environment in all seasons and weather, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions;
- Ability to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, holidays, and special events;
- Must be able to exert up to 75 pounds of force occasionally, 50 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects;
- Must be able to work around animals including bee hives;
- Exposure to zoo animals and insects, Zoonotic diseases, and risk of animal attack;
- Exposure to zoo collection animals, non-collection animals, poison ivy and other naturally occurring irritants, and stinging insects; and,
- Potential exposure to Zoonotic diseases and risk of animal attack.
Equipment:- Must be able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including computer, telephone, two-way radio, vehicles, golf carts, hand tools, gardening/carpentry tools (tractor, weed eater, tiller, etc.), machinery, etc (non-motorized tools are predominantly used);
- Will be trained and must be able to operate and maintain backhoe, skid steer, or any other equipment obtained by the department and necessary to perform the job; and
- Must have proficiency with tiller, weed eaters, blowers and other landscape equipment.
Hospitality:- Friendly and outgoing;
- Able to work independently and as a team;
- Possess a positive and patient attitude; and,
- Possess excellent verbal communication skills.
Traits Desirable:- Ability to work with individuals from a wide variety of ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds; and,
- Self-directed, collaborative and detail-oriented.
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