Under the general supervision of the Zoo Deputy Director, responsible for day to day technical, design, maintenance, and supervisory work in horticulture, forestry, and maintenance functions on zoo and park grounds.
Essential Functions
1. Assigns and supervises duties of all zoo maintenance staff, interns and volunteers, including onboarding, training, work assignments, scheduling, and effectively recommends personnel matters pertaining to staff, hiring, firing, and disciplinary action.
2. Responsible for maintaining building and grounds repairs and normal upkeep.
3. Plans, designs, and maintains landscape installations in the zoo and park, including but not limited to: determines types and quantity of horticultural plants to be grown; cultivates and propagates exotic and native plant species that are landscape or exhibit specific; selects and purchases seed, plant nutrients, and disease control chemicals; provides daily maintenance and identifies plant needs and provides appropriate solutions.
4. Recommends improvements in landscaping public park property, including kinds and location of trees, shrubs, and other ornamental plants; provides leadership in forestry management on zoo and park grounds.
5. Coordinates with zoo department heads and staff concerning maintenance related activities on a daily basis.
6. Oversees labor and material needs for projects, researches options, develops plans, speaks with vendors, and makes recommendations, monitors cost and budget, including during emergency situations.
7. Completes work orders and records concerning time, material and equipment.
8. Coordinates the ongoing daily activities of the Maintenance Department with outside agencies such as contractors, sales representatives, and volunteer groups.
9. Stays current and works to exceed all USDA and AZA standards.
10. Participates in all manager on duty and zoo emergency procedures.
11. Attends and develops reports for Board of Commissioners, Zoo Board, and departmental meetings and events as requested.
Other Functions:
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.
- During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to but not limited to those in his/her job description.
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. (These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employee may be expected to perform.)
Employment Qualifications
Education: Equivalent of two years of advanced course work in horticulture, landscape architecture or other closely related field of study. Prefer some course work in supervisory / management skills.
Experience: Three years of progressively responsible horticulture and/or forestry including supervisory experience. Knowledge of Zoo operations and horticulture experience preferred.
Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging respectfully and effectively with individuals of all backgrounds and perspectives to promote clarity, understanding, and collaboration.
Other Requirements: Knowledge of legal requirements, regulations, laws and other authoritative standards applicable to horticulture. Arborist certification or equivalent is preferred. Possession of or ability to obtain state licensing as a Pesticide Applicator is required. Training or experience with Integrated Pest Management is preferred. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Michigan Motor Vehicle Operator’s License is required. Must have a good driving record. Driving records will be checked as part of the referral process. You must be able to meet the standards of the Ingham County Driving Records Policy for referral. Must submit a cover letter and resume with application.
The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment of promotional standards, bus as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.
Requirements and Working Conditions
Working Conditions:
1. This position works in both an indoor and outdoor environment. While indoors, there is no planned exposure to notable lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions. While outdoors, exposure to lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions cannot be controlled and may be extreme.
2. This position operates a variety of vehicles including cars, trucks, tractors, forklifts, cranes, hoists, bucket trucks, etc.
3. This position operates non-powered hand tools such as utility knives, hammers, pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, chisels, saws, etc.
4. This position operates power hand tools such as drills, sanders, grinders, staple guns, chainsaws, air compressors, mowers, etc.
5. This position is exposed to variety of hazards such as traffic, moving vehicles, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, slippery surfaces, chemicals, cleaning solutions, oils, hazardous materials, etc.
6. This position is exposed to air quality conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation, etc.
7. This position is exposed to noise levels which require shouting in order to be heard.
8. This position is exposed to vibrations and oscillating movements.
9. This position is exposed to bio hazards such as body fluids, blood borne pathogens, communicable diseases, etc.
10. This position is required to travel for meetings and appointments.
11. This position works closely with domestic and wild animals with unpredictable temperaments.
(This position is provided, and required to use, Personal Protection Equipment to minimize the risks associated with the working conditions listed above.)
Physical Requirements:
- This position requires the ability to sit, stand, traverse, climb, balance, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, crawl, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
- This position performs heavy work requiring the ability to exert more than 50 pounds of force in the physical requirements above.
- This position primarily requires close visual acuity to perform tasks within arm’s reach such as: viewing a computer screen, using measurement devices, inspecting and assembling parts, etc.
- This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone.
- This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.
- This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.
(This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the requirements listed above. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.)
Teamsters Zoo –0136
PayScale Zoo Horticulture
August 2024
