Seasonal Native Plant Nursery Assistant | Flexible Schedule

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Fun & engaging work environment

Paid Time Off

Zoo passes

Discount on food & retail

Flexible scheduling

Free Metro Bus Pass

Development opportunities

Job summary

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden seeks a Nursery Assistant to support daily production and maintenance at Bowyer Farm. The role emphasizes care of native plant material, potting, watering, and inventory management in a dynamic nursery setting.

Candidates should be passionate about plants, able to lift 50 pounds, and work well in a team. Flexible hours and weekend coverage may be required, with a focus on safety and reliability.

Qualifications

• Education and/or experience in horticulture preferred
• Must be able to lift and move 50 pounds without mechanical assistance
• Valid driver’s license and be insurable to drive a Zoo vehicle
• Interest in native plants, horticulture and ecology
• Strong work ethic and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Responsibilities

• Assist with potting, transplanting, and propagating native plant species
• Water plants using hand-watering techniques and/or irrigation systems
• Monitor plant health and report signs of pests, disease, or nutrient deficiencies
• Weed control in containers and production beds
• Label, organize, and maintain accurate plant inventory
• Prepare plant orders for customers, including pulling and staging material
• Load and unload plant shipments and supplies
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of greenhouse and outdoor growing areas
• Assist with seed collection, cleaning, and storage
• Follow safety protocols and proper equipment use
• Lead volunteer crews to accomplish nursery tasks

Skills

Plant care

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Physical stamina

Communication

Education

Horticulture training or coursework

Tools

Microsoft Office

Irrigation systems

Hand tools

Job description

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden seeks a Nursery Assistant to support daily production and maintenance at Bowyer Farm. The role emphasizes care of native plant material, potting, watering, and inventory management in a dynamic nursery setting.

Candidates should be passionate about plants, able to lift 50 pounds, and work well in a team. Flexible hours and weekend coverage may be required, with a focus on safety and reliability.