Horticulturalist

Nashville Zoo is dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership. With a diverse collection of animals and a commitment to wildlife preservation, we provide engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.

Position Description:

• The Horticulturalist position is responsible for maintaining the landscape of their assigned area.
• The Horticulturalist is to maintain a record of all new plants added to the zoo grounds and care requirements.
• The Horticulturalist is required to help the Horticulture Manager with all job related research.
• The Horticulturalist must work hours appropriate to meet the needs of the Zoo. 
• This may require weekend, holiday, and early or late shift start times.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prune and weed landscaped areas
• Monitor irrigation systems and ensure they are working properly
• Hand water all plantings that are not established
• Install plants when necessary
• Responsible for assisting other departments and staff when requested
• Responsible for completing assigned tasks in an orderly efficient manner
• Responsible for furthering horticulture knowledge during tenure at the Zoo
• Responsible for spraying herbicide in areas that need attention
• Responsible for over seeding any and all exhibits in assigned area
• Responsible for overall health and quality of plants in assigned area, relaying all issues to the Horticulture Manager.
• Responsible for assisting keepers with exhibit maintenance when exhibit falls in your assigned area
• It is your duty to relay any and all work requests to the Horticulture Manager
• Responsible for designing/learning to design annual beds in assigned areas
• Responsible for mentoring new staff when Horticulture Manager is unavailable
• Responsible for relaying any issues at the park, to the Horticulture Manager when he is absent
• Responsible for recognizing plant disease/illness and preparing a solution
• Responsible for assisting the Horticulture Manager with staff training
• Responsible for cataloging and filing all new plant orders/purchases
• Responsible for researching unknown plants
• Responsible for relaying issues found in respective areas to Gardeners
• Responsible for updating task board on a weekly basis, after you have conferred with the Horticulture Manager

Qualifications

Skills:

• Ability to work with little or no supervision
• Ability and motivation to learn the plants on grounds and their proper care
• Ability to help guide new employees through daily tasks
• Ability to interact professionally with both staff and visitors
• Ability to perform assigned tasks in an organized and efficient manner
• Ability to professionally and safely use small, medium and heavy equipment and tools required for the execution of assigned tasks
• Ability to identify issues in assigned area and work to find an efficient expedient solution
• Ability to keep an open line of communication with Horticulture Manager and Gardener staff

Education/ Experience:

• Minimum High School diploma or GED equivalent is required.
• Horticulture degree or equivalent.
• A background in landscaping or grounds maintenance is preferred. 
• A valid driver’s license is required. 

Physical Responsibilities:

• Working Conditions are primarily outside.
• Must be able to work outside year round in inclement weather such as extreme high/low temperatures, snow and rain conditions.
• Stand, sit, or walk for an extended period of time or for an entire work shift.
• Applicants are required to have the ability to bend, stoop and extend oneself etc., as required for performing assigned tasks.
• Move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 50 pounds without assistance.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time position, averaging 40 hours per week.
• Flexibility: Position may require flexibility in working hours to accommodate special events, emergencies, or animal care needs.

Benefits:

• Nashville Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, Employee Assistance Programs, a 401(k) plan with company match, paid time off, sick leave, long-term disability coverage, park discounts, and membership benefits.

Pre-employment requirements:

• Nashville Zoo is an EEO Institution and a Drug Free Workplace.
• At-will employment
• Candidates for this position are required to submit to a criminal background check and pass a drug test.
• Candidates for this position are subject to yearly Tuberculosis Screenings.