JOB
Based on our internal equity review process, the starting hourly wage for this position will be $29.57The full-salary range for this position is $29.57- $36.75 per hour.
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.
Who We Are
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.
Why You’ll Love it Here
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.
Position Information
Under the direction of the Operations Manager / Assistant Operations Manager and the supervision of the Horticulturist/Arborist, perform a variety of skilled duties involved in the installation, growth, care and maintenance of the horticulture collection and grounds for the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. This position may also provide work direction to laborer/custodial staff, seasonal staff and volunteers. Zoological Horticulture Workers shall have a demonstrated level of landscape and grounds maintenance abilities.
In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:
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Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
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Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
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Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
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Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
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Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
- 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.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT:
Indoor and outdoor environment.
Driving a vehicle to conduct work.
Regular exposure to fumes, dust and odors.
Seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions.
Noise from equipment operation.
PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
Standing, kneeling, and walking for extended periods of time.
Bending at the waist.
Pushing and pulling maintenance supplies and equipment.
Lifting and moving furniture and objects weighing up to 75 pounds.
Climbing ladders.
Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally.
Climbing ladders, stairs, scaffolding, and ramps.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate hand and power tools and equipment.
Hearing and speaking to exchange information.
Heavy physical labor.
HAZARDS:
Working at heights on ladders or scaffolding.
Working with and around machinery having moving parts.
Exposure to fertilizer fumes, pollen and dust.
Fumes from vehicle and equipment operation.
Chemical fumes
ABILITY TO:
- 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.
PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
Parks Tacoma employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Parks Tacoma is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources at
[email protected]
Employment is subject to a national background check.
