Position: Landscaping Horticulture Technician
Status: Full Time; FLSA Hourly Non-Exempt
Department: Facilities
Reports to: Horticulture Manager
POSITION OVERVIEW
Located along the Space Coast in Melbourne, Florida, the Brevard Zoo is an AZA-accredited facility with a diverse collection of over 900 animals representing nearly 200 species. It is also home to the Sea Turtle Healing Center for rehabilitation of wild marine turtles. Brevard Zoo is well-known for its strong conservation ethic and unique attractions, such as kayaking through the Africa area, giraffe feeding, rhinoceros and various other animal encounters.
Responsible for implementing landscape designs and maintaining the zoo property landscape in a professional manner.
QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
REQUIRED:
- Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with deadlines.
- Knowledge of Florida native and tropical plants, and insect and disease control measures.
- Knowledge of pruning practices and basic arbor skills.
- Must be able to swim and is willing to be in water for extended periods of time.
- Must be comfortable being in small boats, i.e., kayaks.
- Must be able to confidently manage oneself over fences and obstacles.
- Must have a valid Florida driver’s license.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Maintain grounds, including exhibits, and waterways.
- Maintain a clear path of sight for graphics, signs, and exits.
- Maintain boardwalk path to prevent injury to employees and visitors.
- Removal of trees, branches and hazards from Zoo grounds.
- Assist in maintaining the aesthetic of the zoo and grounds as desired by manager.
- Provides direct input on habitat design and plant management when applicable.
- Ensures staff follows all SOP for human and animal safety.
- Knowledge of proper use equipment; chainsaws, weedwhackers, edgers, etc.
- Coordinate with outside contractors, and other departments on regular deliveries and pickups.
- Coordinate horticulture tasks with landscape manager and/or zookeepers to prevent stress to the animals in the collection.
- Coordinate with all other members of Facilities to achieve departmental goals and project deadlines; this includes tool knowledge, and proper safety practices.
- Support the entire facilities department by being a role model for the behaviors, actions, and accountability that you expect from your team with attention to detail, professionalism, productivity, and reliability.
- Care of plants including watering, transplanting, fertilizing, etc., prunes plant material, mixes soil.
- Installation and maintenance of all horticultural facilities and gardens.
- Installation and repair of landscape irrigation.
- Work with horticulture volunteers.
- Operate and utilize various types of equipment, i.e., backhoe, skid steer, excavator.
- Perform other related duties as required by dept management.
- Provide excellent customer service in the areas of guest relations and park beautification.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- A desire to work in horticulture/landscaping, an equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be acceptable.
- The worker may be subject to danger or risk to a slight degree, or to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.
- Ability to weed whack for multiple hours at a time.
- Proficient in rigging and knots.
- Highly responsive and dependable.
- Ability to work weekends and holidays as needed.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
(H) Heavy Work
Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS/HAZARDS:
- Must be willing to work in inclement weather including temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and high humidity. Exposure to extreme heat and weather conditions.
- The noise level is usually moderate.
- The physical demands that are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable the individual to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs.
- This position can be physically demanding and requires the ability to lift as much as 100 pounds, push, pull, carry, bend, crawl, reach, stoop, walk, twist, shovel, balance, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk, hear, taste or smell.
- Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK SCHEDULE:
May be required to work weekends and nights, as necessary.
The above information in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the Zoo’s policies on evaluation of personnel.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Statement
East Coast Zoological Society of Florida, Inc., dba Brevard Zoo, is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment in any aspect of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, transfer, termination, or any other terms and conditions of employment.
Employees and applicants are encouraged to report any concerns regarding discrimination or harassment, and retaliation for reporting such concerns is strictly prohibited.
Brevard Zoo is committed to an inclusive environment where employees are encouraged to be their authentic selves. We value the diverse qualities, perspectives, and experiences of all individuals. Join us in sharing the joy of nature to help people and wildlife thrive.
