Landscaper

Summary

Under supervision, the Landscaper will work with the Director of Horticulture & Grounds along with Zoo staff to accomplish the care, maintenance and enhancement of the landscapes and gardens. The position also includes some refuse management and participation in volunteer workdays, events, and programs within the Horticulture and Grounds Department. The person in this position has the task of maintaining and improving the daily appearance of Knoxville Zoo grounds and gardens. This individual must keep the Director of Horticulture & Grounds informed of activities, accomplishments, project status, and requirements.

Description

RESPONSIBILITIES:
-As a team member, exemplify Zoo Knoxville core values through interactions with guests, volunteers, and fellow team members.
-Follow and perform the assigned routinely scheduled (daily and long-range) operations and activities of the Horticulture and Grounds Department. These include regular grounds maintenance, garden installation and maintenance, and greenhouse / nursery operations. These may involve, but are not limited to, tasks such as mowing, mulching, planting, transplanting, fertilizing, weeding, chemical applications, pruning, trimming, cutting, litter pickup, leaf removal, snow removal, and maintaining the cleanliness of all pathways and paved surfaces.
-General proficiency in the safe operation of grounds equipment to include, but not limited to, trucks, carts, chain saws, ladders, fertilizing equipment, mowers, trimmers, blowers, sweepers, augers, shovels, brooms, axes, picks, power hand tools (drills, saws, etc.) and other types of horticulture and grounds maintenance tools and equipment. Applicants should also have the ability to learn minor proficiency in the safe operation of equipment to include, but not limited to, backhoe, skid-steer loader, tractors, and forklift.
-Maintaining the quality, appearance, cleanliness, safety, functionality and usability of the grounds within the park and leading to the park on a continual basis and in a timely, efficient, economical and organized manner. This includes all public, animal, and support areas.
-Maintaining the quality of all Zoo property and resources including non-public areas and off-exhibit areas that are held in reserve for future use.
-Ability to work as part of a team to accomplish shared goals as well as the ability to plan and execute tasks in an assigned area of responsibility.
-Assist in the completion of timely, efficient, economical, and organized removal of all waste, salvage, and recyclable materials from the park.
-Assist in the installation, set-up, and removal of special / temporary exhibits, special events, or other event related operations.
-Follow all procedures and guidelines regarding safety of personnel.
-Complete daily reports of activities, material / equipment use, and time management.
-Work with other Zoo departments and follow internal guidelines to provide a positive and educational experience for visitors.
-Demonstrate continued interest in and knowledge of advancements in the horticultural / botanical / landscaping field.
-Adherence to any policies set forth by Knoxville Zoo or the Horticulture and Grounds Department to comply with all governmental or other regulatory agencies, including, but not limited to national, state, and local codes, as well as ADA standards, AZA standards, USDA (Animal and Plant Regulations), TWRA, OSHA, MOSH, EPA, DOT, etc.
-This position will require hands-on involvement. The individual assuming these responsibilities will be aware of the potential health and injury risks inherent with the operations of tools, machinery, vehicles, chemical use, and heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds) as well as working around potentially dangerous animals and toxic plants.
-This individual will always present a professional and neat appearance. The attire will be the standard Knoxville Zoo uniform. A nametag will be worn at all times when representing this position.
-Perform other duties and tasks as requested or required by the Director of Horticulture & Grounds, Deputy, or Executive Directors.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be at least 21 years old
Must possess a valid state issued driver license
Experience in the field of horticulture, grounds maintenance, landscape installation and maintenance, interior plant maintenance, and / or greenhouse operations is preferred.
An understanding of safety practices and procedures.
Must be able to safely operate several types of maintenance related hand tools, power tools, and light equipment.
Must be able to interact with employees / volunteers in a positive, constructive, and professional manner consistent with established Horticulture and Grounds Department as well as Knoxville Zoo policies and procedures.
The ability to demonstrate and impart to colleagues, outside service personnel, and/or contractors that cooperation and teamwork is a necessity.
Individual should be organized, efficient, accurate, self-motivated, and neat.
He/she should also have legible handwriting, good communication skills in English (both oral and written), including, but not limited to, having good listening skills, good oral and written comprehension, and having good speech clarity and recognition when dealing with others and while communicating on phone, two-way radio, or other forms of communication devices.
He/she should possess the ability to react quickly, effectively, and logically in high stress and/or emergency situations and to follow instructions as given.
The individual in this position should have a minimum of one years’ experience in a grounds maintenance field and a high school diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Prior experience at an established AZA accredited zoological environment preferred

Don’t meet every requirement? At Zoo Knoxville we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.