Horticulture Aide – Full Time
Reporting to the Director of Facilities, the Horticulture Aide will assist the Horticulture Supervisor in care and exhibition of temperate and tropical plants in park areas, buildings, greenhouses, and other exhibition areas.
This is a full-time hourly position represented by our union. Step 1 pay starts at $16.28 per hour. Higher pay steps are based on skill level.
This position will be working from 7:00am - 3:30pm working five days a week with one weekend day.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HORTICULTURE AIDE TEAM MEMBER AT JBZ
The Horticulture Aide assists in the care, maintenance, and enhancement of the Zoo's landscapes and gardens by performing a variety of basic horticulture and grounds maintenance tasks. This position is responsible for pruning, planting, weeding, mulching, trimming, mowing, and general landscape cleanup to ensure outdoor spaces remain healthy, safe, and visually appealing. The Horticulture Aide operates a variety of equipment, including tractors, mowers, edgers, trimmers, and other landscaping tools to install and maintain lawns, garden beds, grasslands, slopes, wetlands, drainage ditches, and other landscape features, including addressing areas affected by soil erosion.
The role also performs preventive maintenance on landscaping features and fixtures, identifies and reports damaged or deteriorated grounds, landscape elements, and building features requiring repair, and completes all assigned work in accordance with established safety procedures and practices. Additional duties may be assigned as needed to support the overall care and appearance of the Zoo's grounds.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE HORTICULTURE AIDE AT JBZ
- High school diploma or equivalent
- At least one year of experience in grounds maintenance, greenhouses, or landscaping, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- Affinity for the mission and values of John Ball Zoo
- Ability to interact positively with a wide array of individuals from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
- Sufficient interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills
- Working knowledge of landscape and grounds practices and procedures
- Operating knowledge of manual and small power tools commonly used in grounds and horticultural work
- Ability to gather and analyze data as related to use or troubleshooting of horticultural machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance
- Ability to operate a variety of electric and gas-powered lawnmowers and other power-driven grounds maintenance equipment
- Ability to work independently as necessary and to prioritize and show flexibility with daily responsibilities with minimal guidance
- Must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 80 pounds.
- Must be able to descend to and ascend from a kneeling position several times daily
- Must have sufficient mobility to access all areas of the Zoo, work with arms extended above shoulder height for prolonged periods, climb ladders, and use tools and equipment
- Ability to work some evening and/or weekend hours, as required
- Flexing work hours may be needed periodically throughout the year
BENEFITS AT JBZ
- We offer incredibly competitive benefits. This includes FREE:
- Medical plan option
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Dental & Vision for employee & family
- 12 Full weeks of parental leave
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
We offer generous vacation time, 9 days of personal time, and 11 paid Holidays each year. We offer a 4% match and 3% employer contribution to your 401k, zoo discounts, employee-only zoo experiences, tuition reimbursement, additional medical benefits to meet your and your family's needs, and a FREE Premium Zoo membership for you and your family.
John Ball Zoo is a drug-free workplace under federal regulations. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
