Are you a gardening enthusiast with a green thumb? Join our Horticulture team, where we create a thriving environment for native species like the Monarch Butterfly and North American songbird within their natural habitats. Our horticulturists care for over 1,000 plant species across 100 acres, tending to outdoor gardens, nature areas, landscapes, animal exhibits, greenhouses, and composting areas.
- As a member of our team, you'll engage in hands-on tasks such as planting, weeding, and pruning to maintain a vibrant and lush atmosphere using specialized garden tools.
- You have prepared for this role with experience in a public garden, landscaping maintenance, or greenhouse industry.
- This role requires resilience and adaptability, as you will be working outdoors year-round, rain or shine, in the challenging Northeast Florida weather conditions.
- Be part of our journey and see how our funds support programs at our organization, among other education and conservation projects.
- We are committed to our future growth and value our diverse team members to help us meet our mission of “Connecting the community to wildlife with wild places.”
Do you have…
- A High School diploma or equivalent?
- Experience with plants and landscaping to include planting, weeding, and pruning?
- Knowledge in landscaping or grounds maintenance of the gardens?
- A Plus…
- Certification in pesticide application.
- Relevant vocational certification/ associate or bachelor’s degree, in horticulture, forestry, and/or related field.
- Plant knowledge and species identification.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work outdoors and indoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures.
- Ability to transport and move items up to 50 pounds for short distances without difficulty.
- Ability to consistently remain on your feet for prolonged periods of time.
- Manual dexterity for standing, reaching, flexibility, and body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling, stoop, bend, lift, kneel, crawl, climb, jump, dig and prolonged standing.
- Ability to operate safely vehicles, motorized carts, hand, and power tools.
- Ability to ascend/ descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium while performing various jobs.
- Grasp, turn, and manipulate objects of varying size and weight, requiring fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Ability to access and navigate each department at the organization on foot, including any construction sites.
- Auditory ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, two-way radio, and face-to-face interactions.
- Visual and auditory acuity appropriate for safety and discern differences in documents.
Inclusion, diversity, and equity as a value
- Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens embraces diversity in a meaningful way and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
- Equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of a person's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight, or height.
- EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
