DescriptionGENERAL PURPOSE
The Horticulturist will work independently or as part of a team to maintain the Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation (FCZC) landscaping and grounds in an attractive, healthy, and safe manner. The Horticulturalist’s work involves a variety of horticultural, maintenance, and grounds development tasks. This position requires collaboration with Zoo staff, contractors and the public to advance the Zoo’s mission of inspiring our guests to care for animals, make connections, build community, and save wildlife.
Full-Time employees receive our comprehensive compensation package which includes 100% employer paid Medical/Dental/Vision, Employee Assistance Program, 401k, 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick and Paid Vacation time on an accrued basis. The pay range for this position is $20.81 - $24.36 per hour. Offers will be based on the successful candidate's experience.
ESSENTIAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Safely operate gardening equipment including but not limited to a lawn mower, edger, weed eater, pole saw, hedge trimmer, chainsaw, and backpack blower.
• Maintain the aesthetic appeal and safety of public areas, pathways, exhibit surroundings, and behind the scenes areas.
• Plant flowers, shrubs, trees, and grasses as directed.
• Water and apply fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides to lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, and plants.
• Move and replace soil, gravel, sand and other rock and mineral materials.
• Remove debris and refuge from landscaping and Zoo grounds as needed.
• Perform various irrigation and general maintenance tasks as needed to maintain Zoo landscaping and grounds.
• Install, repair, and maintain irrigation and sprinkler systems.
• Assist with the general maintenance of facilities, equipment, buildings, and grounds.
• Identify plant needs for care and maintenance.
• Safely operate a vehicle for business purposes including but not limited to going to and from the Zoo’s facilities and offsite.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support team and organizational goals.
QualificationsEDUCATION AND JOB QUALIFICATIONS
• Minimum one (1) year paid experience in landscaping or irrigation with knowledge of the maintenance and care of trees, lawns, flowers, and shrubs, the use and care of mechanical equipment and hand tools required.
• Minimum one (1) year paid experience complying with safety rules, regulations and precautions in the horticulture and maintenance trades required.• Minimum one (1) year paid experience vegetation management practices and plant species identification preferred. Experience can be substituted with 18 units of horticulture or plant science courses.
• Minimum one (1) year experience operating various types of machinery including, but not limited to, forklifts, scissor lift, boom, bobcat, and pallet jacks preferred.
• Minimum one (1) year working with Microsoft Office Suite and other business software preferred.
• A valid California driver's license, valid vehicle insurance, enrolled in the CA Employer Pull Notice program and successful completion of the FCZ Drivers Training Program required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
These are physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed. Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for reasonable accommodation, the Zoo may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.
• This position is required to bend, stoop, crouch, and kneel; use hands and arms for operation of gardening equipment and other machinery; use fingers for fine manipulation of hand tools and plants.
• This position is required to lift, push, pull or carry up to 100 pounds.
• This position is required to walk up to eight (8) miles daily.
• Visual acuity to operate machinery and read printed instructions and safety information, and to assess the thoroughness of the work assigned is required.
• This position requires receiving detailed information through oral communication (in person and via telephone), at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• This position will be required to convey detailed or important spoken information to others in individual and small group settings.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
• This position functions primarily outdoors, with exposure to heat, cold, inclement weather, insects, poor air quality, Zoo environments and external events.
• This position is required to work with others including Zoo executives and employees.
• The employee is exposed to hazardous chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, etc.), fumes from equipment operation, and dust/dirt from Zoo grounds.
• This position is required to work at heights up to 80’.
• The position works in close proximity to Zoo animals.
• Regular local travel and occasional out-of-town travel required
• Ability to work overtime, evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
