Summary:
The Horticulture Specialist helps maintain the beauty, health, and presentation of our landscaped areas and greenhouse collections. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on plant care, takes ownership of their spaces, and thrives in an environment where quality and consistency matter.
Essential Job Functions:
- Maintain flower beds, decorative containers, and greenhouse plant collections.
- Perform watering, weeding, fertilizing, seasonal plant rotation, and pruning.
- Monitor plant health and address pests, disease, and nutrient deficiencies.
- Ensure all landscaped areas remain attractive and professionally maintained.
- Coordinate and place plant orders for seasonal displays and projects.
- Communicate with suppliers and track order timeline.
- Keep greenhouse spaces clean, organized, and operating efficiently.
- Support plant propagation and container plant production.
Minimum Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- 5 years of experience in horticulture, greenhouse operations, landscaping, or related field.
- Strong working knowledge of plant care practices.
Competencies:
- Critical Thinking.
- Equipment Operation.
- Flexibility/Adaptability.
- Guest Focus.
- Maintenance Planning & Scheduling.
- Safety Awareness.
- Self-Motivation and Initiative.
- Stress Management/Composure.
- Teamwork Orientation.
- Written/Verbal/Oral Communication.
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Reporting Structure: Reports to Horticulture Manager.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Full-time hourly positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the manager.
This position is considered non-exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws.
Scheduling Availability Requirements:
Position regularly requires flexible hours including weekdays, holidays, and weekends including early morning and daytime hours.
Work Environment:
While performing the duties of the job, the employee will primarily work in outdoor settings (Zoo grounds). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position requires frequent standing/kneeling/bending for long periods of time. The employee is constantly required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Other Requirements:
- 21 years or older.
- Clear background check.
- Clear drug screening.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Clear MVR screening.
- Proof of current automobile insurance.
Benefits & Perks
The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our Memphis Zoo Careers page for details.
EEOC and Inclusion Statement:
The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.
The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at hrteam@memphiszoo.org.
The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug-free workplace.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
How to Apply:
Applications should be submitted via the Memphis Zoo Careers page. Please note that any other application submissions will not be considered. www.memphiszoo.org/careers.
