Seasonal Horticulture Assistant – Zoo

Cleveland Metroparks; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cleveland Metroparks is seeking a Horticulture Assistant to join our team. The role involves supporting the maintenance of indoor and outdoor plant collections, planting, pruning, and landscape tasks across seasonal workloads.

Responsibilities include assisting with landscape projects, operating equipment, and ensuring safety and accuracy in all duties. Qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid Ohio driver’s license, and knowledge of ornamental horticulture and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license under Ohio law.
• Knowledge of ornamental horticulture and plant identification; experience operating small landscape equipment.
• Must be 18 or older.
• Ability to use a variety of tools and equipment including rototillers, trimmers, edgers, gas-powered shears, backpack blowers, sprayers, pumps, irrigation equipment, and mowers.
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions and on steep inclines.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both one-on-one and in groups.
• Ability to work accurately and with good organizational skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively and with initiative.
• Must be available to work a flexible schedule.
• Application deadline: Open until filled.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planting trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals.
• Perform landscape maintenance such as mowing, weeding, pruning, mulching, and cleanup.
• Assist with landscape construction projects (retaining walls, paver work, grading, drainage, irrigation).
• Operate water truck and pump as needed.
• Prune indoor and outdoor ornamental plants.
• Support animal browse supplemental feeding program.
• Assist in housekeeping tasks and maintain safe work environment.
• Communicate key issues promptly to supervisor.
• Participate in related training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Ornamental horticulture

Plant identification

Small landscape equipment operation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Rototiller

String trimmer

Bed edger

Gas powered shears

Backpack blower

Sprayers

Pumps

Irrigation equipment

Mower

Job description

The Horticulture Assistant performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks in maintaining indoor and outdoor plant collections.

1. Assists in planting trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals
2. Performs landscape maintenance as needed or assigned, including mowing, weeding, pruning, spring cleanup, edging, mulching, and fall cleanup
3. Assists with landscape construction projects, including building of retaining walls, paver installation, grading, drainage work, and irrigation installation
4. Operates water truck and pump
5. Properly prunes indoor and outdoor ornamental plant specimens
6. Supports the Zoo’s animal browse supplemental feeding program
7. Assists in various housekeeping tasks
8. Keeps direct supervisor promptly informed of key/significant issues or concerns.
9. Carries out duties and responsibilities in a safe and efficient manner to maintain a safe work environment and surrounding area for oneself, co-workers and public. Responds to hazardous situations and/or potentially unsafe conditions by taking corrective action as capable and promptly notifying supervisory personnel.
10. Actively participates in related training
11. Performs related duties as assigned or apparent.

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license under the laws of the state of Ohio.

Knowledge of ornamental horticulture, plant identification skills, and experience operating small landscape equipment.

Must be age 18 or older.

Ability to use a variety of tools and equipment including: Automatic vehicles, small landscape equipment including: rototiller, string trimmer, bed edger, gas powered shears, and backpack blower, sprayers, pumps, and irrigation equipment, mower.

Willingness to work in all weather conditions outdoors and able to work on steep inclines

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, including employees and the general public.

Ability to speak and write clearly, concisely and persuasively using correct grammar, spelling and punctuation with ability to communicate one-on-one or in group settings.

Ability to perform work with a high degree of accuracy and organization.

Ability to work cooperatively with others.

Ability to perform with considerable independence and initiative.

Work Schedule: Must be available to work a flexible schedule.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Tagged as: Seasonal