Horticulturist

Oregon Metro•Oregon Zoo, OR

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Oregon Zoo’s Horticulture department is looking for a Horticulturist. Horticulturists at the Oregon Zoo perform and coordinate horticulture and gardening duties, including installation and repair of complex landscape irrigation systems, animal waste recycling, herbicide/pesticide applications and organic weed and pest control management, safety and emergency services, snow and ice removal, and general gardening duties. This position assists the Lead Horticulturist and other staff in horticulture planning, projects, construction, maintenance, and other functions.

Requirements

An associate's degree or post-secondary equivalent; AND Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional horticulture and gardening experience; OR Any combination of experience and education that provides the necessary skills, knowledge and ability to perform assigned tasks.
Valid Driver’s License

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working in a union an environment.
Previous experience working in a zoo.
Previous experience working in a public ornamental garden.
Ability to obtain and maintain (within six months of hire): Oregon Public Pesticide Applicator license
First Aid/CPR Certification

Responsibilities

Performs geographic zone area horticulture and gardening functions for designated areas such as the Africa, Elephant or Great Northwest areas, and works with keepers and other colleagues to diagnose, test, plant, and maintain unique and specialized landscape and gardening.
Maintains turf areas by mowing, trimming, edging, fertilizing, and spraying. Plants grass by laying sod or spreading grass seed.
Operates gas and battery-powered equipment including lawn mowers, tiller, sod cutter, chipper, blowers, chain saws, and edger and uses a variety of other hand tools, including sprayers, pruning saws and other garden tools; keeps all equipment clean and in proper working condition through preventative maintenance and by making minor repairs.
Troubleshoots problems such as pathway obstructions, irrigation breaks, plant disease concerns, visitor safety or exhibit substrate issues.
Operates motorized vehicles, pickup trucks, front-end loaders, tractors, backhoe, forklift, skid-steer loaders, lifts, dump trucks and other equipment necessary for performance of essential duties.
Plants bulbs, trees, shrubs, flowers and exotic plant material; pots plants and transplants plants; maintains trees, flowers and shrubs by pruning, thinning, spraying, staking and arranging; pulls weeds, rakes leaves, cleans plant beds and replenishes bark dust covering.
Installs, repairs, modifies and maintains landscape irrigation systems, programs irrigation controllers.
Performs and assists in conservation and restoration activities and in landscape construction; performs duties such as excavation, site preparation and installation of drainage systems, rock walls, retaining walls, plant material installation, prepping roadbeds and walkways, and fence construction.
Fertilizes, mixes and conditions soil for different types of flowers, shrubs, trees and other plants; inspects for pests, disease and other deteriorating agents; selects and uses appropriate herbicides and pesticides; repairs damaged trees, shrubs and flowers.
Assists and works with animal keepers and other staff in evaluating and planning landscape and horticulture needs, specialty zone area plant selection, landscape and gardening practices to ensure animal care, horticulture, safety and guest service requirements.
Identifies appropriate plant browse materials for specific animals throughout the zoo; cuts and distributes browse to enrich animals' diets.
Assists the public to ensure a positive and unique experience, and enhances Zoo use, appreciation, events and visitation.
Picks up plants and tools from nurseries, garden centers and private donors; performs general maintenance tasks, collecting animal waste and sweeping and collecting litter from walkways, parking lots and animal exhibit areas.
Performs first responder and emergency service duties such as participating in lost child searches, ice and snow removal, and sanding during inclement weather.
Performs assigned duties during an emergency.