Horticulturist

Tulsa Zoo Management; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Tulsa Zoo membership

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401k

Mental health virtual visits

Discounts on zoo goods

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Tulsa Zoo Management is seeking a Horticulturist to maintain Tulsa Zoo’s plant collections, landscapes, and grounds with autonomy and precision. You will oversee turf, garden displays, irrigation systems, and a wide range of equipment while ensuring safety and compliance with TZMI standards.

Responsibilities include planting, pruning, pest management, and coordinating volunteers. Applicants should have an associate degree in horticulture or related field and be able to work weekends and

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in horticulture or related field or equivalent from college or technical school; two years related experience and/or training in landscape maintenance, landscape construction, greenhouse/nursery, irrigation or similar; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must be 18 years or older, possess a valid driver’s license, and be insurable on TZMI’s insurance carrier
• Must be able to work weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; write routine reports and correspondence; and communicate effectively before groups of customers, employees of TZMI, and the general public
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Ability to use Microsoft Outlook and popular internet browsers

Responsibilities

• Oversee, install, and sustain turf, landscaping, and botanical garden collection.
• Perform related maintenance such as watering, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, pruning and trimming, and landscape construction.
• Plant and maintain woody and herbaceous species in exterior and interior installations.
• Aerate, fertilize, mow, trim, edge, and seed grounds and turf areas.
• Propagate plant materials by various means (seeds, cuttings, divisions, etc.) both in the field and greenhouse/nursery environment.
• Identify common native plant species as well as approved plants species for animal browse program.
• Following approved departmental and organizational standards, inspect, identify, and treat exterior and interior plants for pests and diseases.
• Operate, adjust, install, and repair irrigation systems, both automatic and manual.
• Operate and maintain a variety of light and heavy equipment, including mowing equipment, tractor, back-hoe, front-end loader, skid loader (Bobcat), trencher, tiller, and utility vehicles.
• Utilize a wide array of gas-powered, electric-powered, and handheld tools such as: shovels, rakes, pruners, hedge trimmers, chain saws, and blowers.
• Perform routine clearing of zoo sidewalks, pathways, parking areas, and service roads of litter, dirt, leaves, trash, snow/ice, etc. per pre-determined schedule.
• Monitor grounds for fallen limbs, trash, and other unwanted articles that are unsightly, hazardous, or potentially lost by patrons.
• Requisition supplies, materials, and equipment; monitor inventory; load and unload supplies.
• Assist with maintaining plant inventory and records.
• Train, assist, and oversee work of volunteers/interns and ensure their safety.
• Recognize signs of pest infestation in animal areas and combat pests/nuisance wildlife as directed.
• Maintain area compliance with all local, state, federal, and international regulations meeting the standards of USDA, AZA, etc.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings to discuss the needs of the collection and staff, to resolve problems, and to learn of new procedures and policies.
• Participate in visitor education programs, formal and informal presentations and outreach programs, scheduled talks, and provide accurate information to the public.
• Maintain necessary certifications as required.
• Maintain necessary testing/vaccinations as required (TB, rabies, etc.).
• Effectively communicate and demonstrate interpersonal skills with all levels of employees in a clear and professional manner.
• Demonstrate and adhere to TZMI’s workplace values.
• Know and follow zoo policies and procedures, including emergency protocols.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and assigned training sessions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Driver's license

Reading & writing

Outlook

Education

Associate’s degree in horticulture or related field

Two years related experience and/or training

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Irrigation systems

Mowing equipment

Tractor

Bobcat

Job description

Your Role: Horticulturist

Your Manager: Horticulture Supervisor

Your Pay Structure (FLSA Status): Full-time, hourly/nonexempt

Safety Sensitive: This is a safety-sensitive position. Regardless of whether you are a medical marijuana licensee, you must receive a negative result on a 10-panel, pre-placement drug screening to include THC, prior to beginning work.

The Zoo

Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. (TZMI) is a nonprofit organization driven by our mission of Connecting, Caring, Advocating for Wildlife, People, and Wild Places. From trumpeting elephants to squawking parrots, each member of our team is integral to the success of the Zoo as Green Country’s largest paid daily attraction. At Tulsa Zoo, the IDEA is a zoo for all. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

A Few of Your Many Benefits

• Free family-level Tulsa Zoo membership
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits beginning your first day of employment
• 401k
• Unlimited virtual visits with a mental health therapist at no cost to you
• Food, beverage, and retail discounts on zoo grounds
• Generous paid time off plans

Your Job

Horticulturists perform skilled and semi-skilled landscape duties and functions necessary to maintain Tulsa Zoo’s plant collections, landscapes, and grounds to meet or exceed desired standards in an efficient and independent manner.

Your Essential Responsibilities

If you disclose different abilities, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable you to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position.

• Oversee, install, and sustain turf, landscaping, and botanical garden collection.
• Perform related maintenance such as watering, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, pruning and trimming, and landscape construction.
• Plant and maintain woody and herbaceous species in exterior and interior installations.
• Aerate, fertilize, mow, trim, edge, and seed grounds and turf areas.
• Propagate plant materials by various means (seeds, cuttings, divisions, etc.) both in the field and greenhouse/nursery environment.
• Identify common native plant species as well as approved plants species for animal browse program.
• Following approved departmental and organizational standards, inspect, identify, and treat exterior and interior plants for pests and diseases.
• Operate, adjust, install, and repair irrigation systems, both automatic and manual.
• Operate and maintain a variety of light and heavy equipment, including mowing equipment, tractor, back-hoe, front-end loader, skid loader (Bobcat), trencher, tiller, and utility vehicles.
• Utilize a wide array of gas-powered, electric-powered, and handheld tools such as: shovels, rakes, pruners, hedge trimmers, chain saws, and blowers.
• Perform routine clearing of zoo sidewalks, pathways, parking areas, and service roads of litter, dirt, leaves, trash, snow/ice, etc. per pre-determined schedule.
• Monitor grounds for fallen limbs, trash, and other unwanted articles that are unsightly, hazardous, or potentially lost by patrons.
• Requisition supplies, materials, and equipment; monitor inventory; load and unload supplies.
• Assist with maintaining plant inventory and records.
• Train, assist, and oversee work of volunteers/interns and ensure their safety.
• Recognize signs of pest infestation in animal areas and combat pests/nuisance wildlife as directed.
• Maintain area compliance with all local, state, federal, and international regulations meeting the standards of USDA, AZA, etc.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings to discuss the needs of the collection and staff, to resolve problems, and to learn of new procedures and policies.
• Participate in visitor education programs, formal and informal presentations and outreach programs, scheduled talks, and provide accurate information to the public.
• Maintain necessary certifications as required.
• Maintain necessary testing/vaccinations as required (TB, rabies, etc.).
• Effectively communicate and demonstrate interpersonal skills with all levels of employees in a clear and professional manner.
• Demonstrate and adhere to TZMI’s workplace values.
• Know and follow zoo policies and procedures, including emergency protocols.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and assigned training sessions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no direct reports.

What We Expect

Required Qualifications, Education and/or Experience

• Associate’s degree in horticulture or related field or equivalent from college or technical school; two years related experience and/or training in landscape maintenance, landscape construction, greenhouse/nursery, irrigation or similar; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must be 18 years or older, possess a valid driver’s license, and be insurable on TZMI’s insurance carrier
• Must be able to work weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; write routine reports and correspondence; and communicate effectively before groups of customers, employees of TZMI, and the general public
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Ability to use Microsoft Outlook and popular internet browsers

What You can Expect

Our Values

• We are enthusiastically committed to be part of the Tulsa Zoo community.
• We will all work together as one Zoo Team to support the Zoo’s mission.
• We will value and appreciate everyone and create a safe, understanding, and welcoming environment for all.
• We will all be accountable for achieving excellence.
• We will earn the trust of one another, acting honestly and treating each other with respect.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Moving about – constantly

Sitting – occasionally

Standing – constantly

Reaching with hands and arms – constantly

Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling – frequently

Exchange of in-person, phone, radio, or digital communication – frequently

Carrying or lifting up to 50 pounds – frequently

Pushing and/or pulling up to 50 pounds – frequently

Exposure to outdoor weather conditions – constantly

Exposure to high noise levels – frequently

Climbing and/or balancing - rarely

Gripping, pinching, writing, and other hand movements – constantly