Zoological Horticulture Worker

Parks Tacoma•Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, WA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Work where you play! Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live. Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Tacoma Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun. Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in horticulture or 4 years of experience in related field required.
Possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record (A current driving abstract will be requested after job offer).
Ability to pass training in the area of forklift, high lift or other specialized equipment.
Perform specialized technical work related to production schedules, selection, propagation, growth, care and maintenance of botanic and horticulture materials.
Care and maintain plants, shrubs and crops according to established procedures.
Schedule and propagate ornamental plants according to requirements.
Water and fertilize plants according to established procedures and schedules.
Clean, trim, transplant, and prune trees and shrubs.
Monitor and control plant pests, insects and disease and inspect plants for infestation.
Apply pesticides safely and according to established procedures.
Prepare and mix soils, chemicals, seedlings and plants in propagation beds, displays, pots, and other containers.
Perform minor construction, maintenance and repair to irrigation systems, exhibit areas, and related facilities.
Observe, monitor and control factors influencing the growth of plants, including soil composition, insects, disease and fertilizer.
Meet schedules and time lines
Perform CPR and first aid.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Perform complex or varied tasks.
Learn procedures, methods and schedules.
Use tools and equipment common to the horticultural and maintenance trade.
Maintain zoo facilities in a clean, safe and secure condition.
Perform general grounds maintenance duties including mowing, edging, weeding and watering as well as cultivation of lawns, flower beds and other landscaped areas.
Assist others in specialized grounds keeping activities.
Learn safe operation of a wide variety of equipment related to the building trades, grounds maintenance work and lighting displays.
Ability to obtain additional certifications or endorsements as required
Interpret rules and regulations.
Perform emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines.
Communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
Assess and evaluate situations effectively.
Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.
Take initiative with minimal supervision.
Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately.
Set up and operate equipment that can require selection from options or different settings.
Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing.
Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting differences.
Report for work regularly and on time.

Nice To Haves

Experience in horticulture within a zoological environment preferred.
Obtain a valid First Aid and CPR Certificate issued by an authorized agency within probationary period.
Obtain and Maintain annual pesticide license including but not limited to the categories of Ornamental Insect and Disease, Ornamental Weed, Right of Ways, and Pest Control Operator. License must be obtained within probationary period.

Responsibilities

Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.
Participate in all aspects of landscape maintenance and installation.
Assist the Horticulturist/Arborist in design and construction of new beds and exhibits.
Operate a variety of equipment and machines including riding mowers, hand mowers, backpack blowers, weed eaters, forklift, high lift, trucks, bobcat, air compressors and other equipment not requiring a commercial license; maintain equipment and tools in safe and proper working condition.
Perform landscaping, plant, tree, and turf maintenance and other horticultural activities; prepare soil for seeding and sow grass seed; repair and maintain flower beds; mix and apply pesticides and chemicals according to established procedures and guidelines.
Perform grounds maintenance and horticultural duties such as planting, transplanting, propagating, mowing, edging, aerating, trimming, watering, fertilizing, removing, and weeding of lawns, trees, and shrubs.
Assist and oversee seasonal staff in the removal of leaves, backpack blowing, garbage, litter, recycling, and removal of snow and debris.
Inspect, maintain, install, and perform repairs to irrigation systems.
Assist in the requisition and purchase of supplies and materials according to established procedures; obtain competitive prices; prepare and maintain related records and reports; submit to appropriate personnel and department as required; operate a vehicle to pick?up and deliver supplies and materials.
Assist the Horticulturist in monitoring and controlling plant pests, insects and disease; inspect plants for infestation; apply pesticides and remove plants as required; prepare and maintain related records.
Assist Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium keepers and staff with horticultural questions and/or maintenance within the animal exhibit areas.
Operate a variety of specialized tools and equipment, including rototillers, bobcat, pesticide sprayers, soil mixers, and other hand and power tools.
Utilize principles of Plant Health Care (PHC) including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques in the maintenance of the horticultural collection.
Assist the Horticulturist/Arborist in the future development of the Horticultural collection.
Assist with training temporary staff and provide work direction to others as assigned.
Attend staff and committee meetings.
Conduct horticultural tours as assigned.
Perform emergency first aid and CPR as necessary.
Perform related duties as assigned.