Horticulture Technician I (Gardener, Nursery Part-Time)

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens•Jacksonville, FL

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Are you a gardening enthusiast with a green thumb? Join our Horticulture team as a Horticulture Technician (Part-Time) 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.”

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including working in Florida weather, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Engaging communication skills for guest interaction and team collaboration.
Willingness to work weekday shifts starting at 7:00 a.m ., with flexibility for occasional operational needs and/or disaster recovery efforts.
Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet operational demands.
Experience with plants and landscaping to include planting, weeding, and pruning.
Knowledge in landscaping or grounds maintenance of the gardens
Candidates selected for this position must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings prior to their start date. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to ensure the safety of staff, animals, and visitors. These include: Criminal background check. 5-panel drug test Non-DOT physical examination

Nice To Haves

Certification in pesticide application.
Relevant vocational certification/ associate or bachelor’s degree, in horticulture, forestry, and/or related field.
Plant knowledge and species identification.