Horticulture Technician 1 Full Time

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens seeks a dedicated horticulture professional to provide comprehensive plant and garden care across our landscapes. You will plant, prune, mulch, weed, water, fertilize, and manage pests while maintaining trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and topicals in our regional climate.

The role emphasizes safety, collaboration with zoo teams, and delivering engaging guest experiences through talks and tours.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must speak English.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office.
• Interest in horticulture and long-term career path.
• Ability to compile a list of 30 plants by common and Latin names within the first 90 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent and professional care of plants through planting, pruning, mulching, weeding, watering, fertilizing, and pest management.
• Identify plants present on the property; be familiar with region and care.
• Care for trees, shrubs, grasses, perennials, annuals, tropicals, palms, succulents, aquatics, turf, and groundcover.
• Maintain gardens and green spaces to be aesthetically pleasing, engaging, and functional.
• Safely use tools such as pruners, shovels, rakes, mowers, landscape power equipment, etc.
• Maintain the greenhouse, nursery, and shop area.
• Engage with staff and guests to contribute to a safe environment.
• Collaborate with teams to share information and support revenue-generating plans.
• Conduct guest experiences including tours and talks; mentoring of volunteers and interns.

Skills

Plant ID

Horticulture

Pruning

Tool safety

Watering

Customer service

English

Independent work

Education

High School diploma

English

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Provide excellent and professional care of plants through proper planting, pruning, mulching, weeding, watering, fertilizing, and pest management.
• Identify plants that are present on the property. Be familiar with plants that grow in our region. Understand the culture and care of these plants.
• The scope of plant care includes trees, shrubs, grasses, perennials, annuals, topicals, palms, succulents, aquatics, turf, and groundcover.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

PLANT CARE

• Provide excellent and professional care of plants through proper planting, pruning, mulching, weeding, watering, fertilizing, and pest management.
• Identify plants that are present on the property. Be familiar with plants that grow in our region. Understand the culture and care of these plants.
• The scope of plant care includes trees, shrubs, grasses, perennials, annuals, topicals, palms, succulents, aquatics, turf, and groundcover.

GARDEN CARE

• Maintain gardens and green spaces at a high level to be aesthetically pleasing, engaging, and functional.
• Safely, effectively, and efficiently use tools such as pruners, shovels, rakes, mowers, landscape power equipment, etc. to maintain garden and green spaces.
• Maintain the greenhouse, nursery, and shop area.

COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION

• Engage positively with staff and guests, contributing to an inclusive and safe environment.
• As a plant and garden care expert, collaborate with other teams to share information.
• Support revenue generating plans and functions.
• Conduct engaging guest experiences including tours, formal and informal talks, and behind the scenes experiences.
• Assist with recruitment, training, mentoring, and oversight of new team members including volunteers and interns.

SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

• Identify and mitigate any potential safety hazards or risks.
• Immediately report any safety issues to the appropriate personnel, ensuring swift resolution and maintaining a safe environment for all visitors and staff.
• Ensure safety by enforcing rules, maintaining order, and adhering to organizational safety protocols.
• Support the protection of plants, animals, and habitats.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated proficiency and safety using basic horticulture tools.
• Demonstrated ability to transplant and plant materials properly.
• Demonstrated ability to perform tasks related to plant care, garden upkeep, and landscape maintenance.
• Ability to identify and understand a wide range of plant species, including their growth habits, care requirements, and environmental needs.
• Knowledge of or ability to access and utilize resources like approved browse plant lists and toxic plants.
• Ability to compile a list of common toxic plants and common plant pests found on zoo property.
• Ability to differentiate between established garden plantings and nuisance weeds.
• Ability to interact positively and in a safe manner with fellow employees and zoo guests.
• Ability to remain focused despite interruptions and manage stress to perform job effectively.
• Ability to work independently, using sound judgement, critical thinking skills, and creative problem solving.
• Ability to learn and share information about plants, gardening, and zoo horticulture.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent time management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, self-motivate, and meet goals and deadlines.
• Keen observation skills and attention to detail.
• Embraces diversity and fosters an inclusive work environment.

Required Education & Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Languages: English
• Familiar with Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to learn new computer software, as needed to perform role.
• Strong passion for horticulture, with a clear desire to learn, grow, and contribute to the field as part of a long-term career path.
• Ability to compile a list of 30 plants by common and Latin names within the first 90 days of employment.