Immediate opening!
Are you passionate about nature, animals, and creating beautiful outdoor spaces? Do you dream of a career where your love for the environment meets your love for adventure? Look no further – the zoo is hiring a full-time Landscaping Supervisor, and we want YOU to be a part of our incredible team!
Position Status: Full-time, Regular, Non-exempt, Hourly
Compensation: $24.20 - $25.20 per hour
*You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position*
SUMMARY:
Under general direction of the Director of Facilities & Horticulture, the Landscaping Supervisor plans, organizes, and supervises the grounds and landscape maintenance, and is responsible for the installation, care and maintenance of plants, landscape features and irrigation systems within exhibits and throughout zoo grounds. The Landscaping Supervisor oversees a team of Landscaping Maintenance Technicians, to ensure that the Santa Barbara Zoo’s gardens are healthy and beautiful.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Oversees landscape maintenance, including supervising staff, assisting animal care with exhibit landscape maintenance, decision making, purchasing, tracking, and reporting, in collaboration with Director of Facilities & Horticulture
- Prioritizes daily assignments for landscaping crew and fills-in wherever needed. Assigns duties, responsibilities and work areas to employees in accordance with skills/competencies, and work requirements
- Recognizes and reports plant diseases, problems, and pests
- Ensures that the quality of Landscaping services meets established guidelines by inspecting the work of staff and directing corrective measures as needed
- Develops an effective Landscaping team by instructing staff in the proper methods and use of materials and equipment for safe and efficient work performance, evaluating individual performances to meet established standards, providing performance evaluations on Landscaping staff, and making recommendations regarding the retention of new employees, in collaboration with Director of Facility & Horticulture and Director of Human Resources
- Installs, repairs, and programs irrigation systems as needed
- Prepares bid proposals and reviews requisitions for supplies
- Purchases landscape maintenance supplies, tools and equipment as needed
- Maintains and reviews computerized or manual records of items purchased, costs, delivery, product performance, and inventories
- Assures practices adhere to sustainable practices guidelines
- Confers with staff and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable supplies, and determines corrective actions
- Performs periodic inventories of tools, equipment and supplies
- Organizes and maintains shop and maintenance areas
- Participates in staff selection process and interviews of candidates with the Director of Facilities and Horticulture
- Enforces Zoo rules and policies regarding employee conduct by advising Landscaping staff of the Zoo's rules and policies on employee conduct. Addresses discipline in collaboration with the Director of Facility and Horticulture and Director of Human Resources
- Ensures that Landscaping staff have the equipment and supplies necessary to perform their duties, by ordering and issuing tools and supplies as needed, completing request form(s) for replacement items, and storing the supplies and equipment in a secure storage facility in an organized manner
- Advises Director of Facility and Horticulture on the condition of Zoo’s gardens, by conducting regular inspections and reporting the results of the inspections with particular emphasis on areas needing attention
- Ensures that administrative records and reports regarding Landscaping staff are accurate and current by reviewing employee time cards and monitoring employee absences, in collaboration with the Director of Facility and Horticulture
- Performs hands on, daily Landscaping duties as needed in support of the department
- Provides continuity of Landscaping services under emergency conditions or unique circumstances by performing Landscaping duties directly related to the emergency conditions or as the situation dictates
- Provides continuity of supervision and leadership for Landscaping staff in the absence of Director of Facility and Horticulture
- Performs periodic inventories of tools, equipment and supplies
- Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of various cultures or backgrounds
- Assures practices adhere to sustainable practices guidelines
- Answers phone calls, voice mails and emails in a timely manner
- Adheres to the Zoo’s policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Policy Manual
- Attends monthly all-employee meetings
SECONDARY DUTIES:
- Supervises Landscaping functions of Facilities & Horticulture department in Director’s absence, as assigned
- Special team assignments as assigned
- Other duties as assigned
Guest Relations:
- Greets every guest with a smile
- Thanks guests for supporting/visiting the Zoo
- Ensures the Zoo’s presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance by keeping work areas clean, picking up trash, reporting unsafe or unsightly conditions
- Associates with guests to assist and share information
- Responds to all guest inquiries, complaints, and comments according to Zoo guest relation procedures
- Maintains a clean neat appearance and adheres to the Zoo’s uniform dress code
- Takes responsibility to stay informed about happenings at the Zoo, such as reading employee communications and attending meetings
- Reflects the qualities outlined in the Guest Relations Statement and the Employee Pledge
POSITION CRITERIA:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and environmental characteristics described below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and working and physical elements required of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or GED
- Two years paid experience in purchasing and inventory control
- Grounds maintenance experience of 2+ years required
- 2 years of supervisory experience preferred
- Significant experience working with plants and irrigation systems
- Significant knowledge and experience operating a wide range of power tools and Landscape equipment
- Demonstrated skill in planning, directing, and administering landscaping operations
License, Certification, or Preferred Qualifications:
- Valid driver’s license with good driving record is required.
- Forklift certification
- Botanical background
Knowledge, Skills and Ability:
- Solid knowledge of plants and irrigation systems
- Knowledge of plant materials and techniques for installation
- Property pruning, mulching, and installation of flowers
- Basic arithmetic skills.
- Knowledge of basic accounting procedures.
- Some knowledge of business management.
- Ability to supervise and motivate a team successfully.
- Critical thinking and decision-making skills.
- Ability to follow oral and written direction.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Proficient working with computers.
- Working knowledge of Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Ability to develop productive and friendly relationships with vendors.
- Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, and our guests.
- Ability to exercise safe work habits.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
- Requires the ability to access all areas of the facility.
- Ability to negotiate the zoo work environment including behind-the-scenes, lawns, gravel, and hilltop.
- Must be able to participate in operational practices; including climb stairs, manipulate tools, and stand/walk for up to two continuous hours.
- Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including electric cart, office equipment and two-way radio.
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds occasionally, and 10 or fewer pounds frequently.
- Occasional exposure to chemical cleaning solutions and pesticides.
- Involves working out-of-doors in all weather conditions.
- Ability to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly push, pull or otherwise move objects.
- The ability to use abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
- The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
- The ability to quickly move the hand, hand together with arm, or two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
- Supportive and open employment culture.
- Ability to work in an office setting, using office equipment.
- Ability to work week -ends, holidays and events
- Annual TB Test clearance is required.
Tools Used:
- Personal computer and software (Word, Excel, Outlook, and other software)
- Standard office equipment; telephone, copier, facsimilie machine, calculator, and others as required
- Two-way Radio
- Hand tools
- Basic power tools
- Table saw
- Forklift
- Electric cart
- Horticulture equipment
- Vehicle
- Front Loader
- Time Clock
BENEFITS & PERKS:
- Great team, beautiful grounds, amazing animal collection, sunshine & ocean view almost year-round!
- Free parking M-F, free guest passes, unlimited free tea/coffee every morning, 20% discounts on food services and retail purchases
- Access to the San Diego Zoo Global Academy platform, professional development events, and lunch & learn opportunities
- Comprehensive benefits package for FTR staff, voluntary supplemental insurances, zoo membership, paid sick leave, paid vacation time, 403(b) and SEP retirement plans, a paid conservation day, a paid Zoo Day to visit another AZA accredited institution, paid time off to take your pet to the vet, and much more...
*You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position*
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This job description is representative of the expectations of the position described. Additional duties, reporting relationships, and/or position criteria may be assigned as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer/President, or authorized representative. No changes to this job description shall be made without written permission by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative.
The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time. The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship.
Compensation: $24.20 - $25.20/hour
Do you love animals and working with people? Join the fun, caring, friendly, and energetic team at the Santa Barbara Zoo in our mission of preservation, conservation, and enhancement of the natural world and its living treasures through education, research, and recreation.
Once you apply, please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo.
The Santa Barbara Zoo is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and is a fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Known as one of the world’s most beautiful zoos, it is located on 30 acres of lush botanic gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is home to more than 146 animal species living in open, naturalistic habitats. Our wonderful collaborative team includes up to 220 employees and 50 volunteers.
