Horticulturist

OKC Zoo•Oklahoma City, OK

8d•$19 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

We're looking for a Horticulturist to help create and maintain the beautiful gardens and landscapes that make the Oklahoma City Zoo bloom! This role applies scientific knowledge and practical horticultural techniques to plan, design, plant, fertilize, and maintain gardens and landscapes. This role is also responsible for identifying and managing plant diseases and pests, along with a wide range of other activities that help ensure the health and vitality of our plants and gardens.

Requirements

Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional horticulture experience in formal landscape and gardens maintenance or an equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the essential duties will be considered.
A bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Plant Science, Botany or in a relevant field. Or an equivalent combination of relevant education.
Valid Oklahoma driver’s license within thirty (30) days of hire
Obtain an Oklahoma Service Technician Identification Card by passing the state Service Technician Examination to legally apply chemicals under a licensed manager’s credentials, within 3 months of employment.
Principles and practices of horticulture, landscape establishment, and long-term landscape management
Soil and weather conditions in the Oklahoma City area
Plant taxonomy, identification, selection, and cultural requirements, with specific knowledge of native and adapted Oklahoma plant species
Weed identification
Operation and repair of landscaping equipment
Natural and chemical pest control methods and application practices
Oklahoma pesticide laws and application regulations
Oklahoma City Zoological Park programs, activities, exhibits, and events
Plant health and disease management
Proper pruning techniques
Small equipment use and repair (chainsaws, pole saws, electric pruners, etc.)
Large equipment operations (Tractors, skid steers, forklifts, etc.)
Current horticulture industry standards, research-based practices, and emerging trends
Landscape design principles and working knowledge of drafting, site plans, and planting plans
Greenhouse and nursery production principles, propagation methods, and environmental controls
Arboricultural principles, tree risk awareness, and proper tree-care practices
Sustainable landscape management, water conservation, biodiversity, and conservation-focused horticulture
Irrigation design concepts, scheduling, troubleshooting, water-use efficiency, and system maintenance
Reading, interpreting, and contributing to site plans, blueprints, specifications, and landscape design drawings
Interpreting rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines
Providing technical direction, training, and work coordination for employees, volunteers, contractors, and seasonal staff
Interpersonal communication
Proficiency in plant identification
Proficiency in pest management practices
Proficiency in irrigation systems, repair and programing
Analyzing soil conditions, plant nutrition needs, and laboratory or field data to develop appropriate recommendations
Ability to operate small and large machinery safely
Apply safe work practices and use appropriate safety equipment
Ability to perform sustained physical work outdoors for extended periods while following established safety practices and using appropriate equipment.
Ability to select plant material for a suitable climate, soil conditions, plant pairings, right placement, etc.
Prepare professional records, technical reports, project documentation, recommendations, and correspondence
Maintain detailed records of plant health, growth conditions, and experimental results to support research and planning
Maintain working relationships with staff, contractors, vendors, and the public
Plan projects, prioritize competing needs, coordinate resources, and delegate work within assigned projects
Work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency situations
Evaluate plant health and site conditions, diagnose concerns, and develop integrated treatment or management recommendations
Required to walk, sit and stand for periods of time.
May be required to work 8+ hours a day, doing semi strenuous labor multiple days in a row.
Push, lift, and carry up to 50 lbs, with assistance.
Bend, stoop, kneel, and move intermittently throughout the day.
May be exposed to fumes, odors, dust, moving mechanical parts and vehicles.
Exposure to extreme weather conditions, such as heat, cold, rain, snow and ice.
Exposure to potentially dangerous animals.
Ability to safely perform the hands-on application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in strict accordance with provided training, supervisory instructions, SOPs and safety protocols
This position is subject to pre-employment and/or periodic background checks and drug testing.

Responsibilities

Design and care for gardens
Keep plants healthy and thriving
Manage plant diseases and pests
Help create an unforgettable experience for our guests
Installs and maintains seasonal, ornamental, and native plantings, including watering, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, pruning, mowing, and turf care
Inspects plant material for pests and disease and applies treatments in accordance with approved practices and Oklahoma pesticide regulations
Propagates plant materials through seeds, cuttings, and divisions in greenhouse and nursery settings
Operates and maintains irrigation systems, landscaping equipment, and hand tools
Collaborates with Grounds and Exhibits Technicians and animal care staff to maintain exhibit landscapes and surrounding pathways
Participates in sustainability initiatives and maintains plant database records and horticulture updates
Implements seasonal, ornamental, native, and exhibit plantings using site analysis, horticultural science, design intent, and the cultural requirements of selected plant material.
Carries out integrated plant-health strategies by evaluating soils, irrigation, nutrition, pests, diseases, environmental stressors, and long-term maintenance needs.
Completes assigned work and maintains assigned areas
Drives within the Oklahoma City area in support of assigned duties
Assumes ownership of assigned gardens, living collections, exhibits, and horticultural projects from planning through implementation, evaluation, and follow-up care.
Prioritizes work, coordinates labor and materials, monitors project timelines, and adjusts plans to meet operational, seasonal, animal-care, guest, and event needs.
Identifies resource, equipment, inventory, or contractor needs and provides timely, well-supported recommendations to the Manager of Horticulture.
Protects the quality, safety, and readiness of assigned landscapes, pathways, and work areas through consistent inspection, maintenance, and follow-through.
Works with team members, contractors, and volunteers on horticulture and grounds activities
Represents the Zoo in interactions with staff, volunteers, and the public
Provides service to internal and external customers
Explains horticultural recommendations, project requirements, risks, and tradeoffs clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences.
Represents the Zoo professionally with staff, guests, vendors, community partners, and professional colleagues while supporting the Zoo’s mission and core values.
Communicates project status related to horticulture and grounds maintenance activities
Uses observations, records, technical references, and available data to evaluate outcomes and refine plant-care, water-use, pest-management, and maintenance practices.
Anticipates project risks and communicates changes in scope, timing, cost, safety, or operational impact before they affect results.
Contributes professional horticultural judgment to long-range planning, collection development, renovation, and conservation-focused planting initiatives.
Serve as a technical horticultural resource to technicians and other Zoo staff, providing guidance on plant selection, establishment, plant health, irrigation, pest management, pruning, and other horticultural practices.
Balances professional planning and analysis with hands-on horticultural work and shifts priorities in response to weather, plant-health emergencies, animal-care needs, events, staffing, and guest impacts.
Pursues current knowledge of horticultural research, native and adapted plants, sustainable practices, emerging pests and diseases, and industry standards; applies relevant learning to Zoo operations.