Seasonal Horticulture Assistant - Zoo

Cleveland-Metroparks; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Cleveland Metroparks is seeking a Horticulture Assistant to maintain indoor and outdoor plant collections, assist with planting, landscape maintenance, and irrigation installation. The role supports safety, proper equipment use, and collaboration with staff and the public.

Responsibilities include assisting with landscape projects, operating equipment, and participating in training while maintaining flexibility in scheduling and weather conditions.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Assists in planting trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals.
• Performs landscape maintenance including mowing, weeding, pruning, spring and fall cleanups, edging, and mulching.
• Assists with landscape construction projects (retaining walls, paver installation, grading, drainage, irrigation).
• Operates water truck and pump.
• Supports animal browse supplemental feeding program.
• Assists in housekeeping tasks and maintains safe work environment.
• Keeps supervisor informed of key issues and concerns.

Skills

Plant identification

Ornamental horticulture

Operate landscape equipment

Clear communication

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Rototiller

String trimmer

Bed edger

Gas powered shears

Backpack blower

Irrigation equipment

Job description

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

• Assists in planting trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals
• Performs landscape maintenance as needed or assigned, including mowing, weeding, pruning, spring cleanup, edging, mulching, and fall cleanup
• Assists with landscape construction projects, including building of retaining walls, paver installation, grading, drainage work, and irrigation installation
• Operates water truck and pump
• Properly prunes indoor and outdoor ornamental plant specimens
• Supports the Zoo's animal browse supplemental feeding program
• Assists in various housekeeping tasks
• Keeps direct supervisor promptly informed of key/significant issues or concerns.
• 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.
• Actively participates in related training
• Performs related duties as assigned or apparent.

Requirements

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.

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It is the policy of Cleveland Metroparks to ensure equal employment, promotional and working condition opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, mental or physical disability, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We endeavor to make this site accessible to users. If you need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at [e-mail] .