What are the responsibilities and job description for the Seasonal Horticulture Assistant position at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden?
Seasonal Horticulture Assistant
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden offers a unique experience in public horticulture combining animal immersion habitats in a botanical garden environment. The CZBG is the second oldest zoo and display park (1875) in the US. The Garden features a large diversity in woody and herbaceous collections and an expansive plant production and growing nursery. Stunning summer annual displays and a diverse collection of perennials are featured as one of the region’s largest annual and perennial trials. The Horticulture Department seeks individuals who are enthusiastic and have a sincere interest in horticulture. This is an outstanding opportunity to expand your knowledge in the care, identification and maintenance of plants. A positive attitude and strong work ethic are required in order to fit in with our team.
The Horticulture Department is seeking Seasonal Horticulture Assistants to join our Team.
Seasonal Horticulture Assistants will work alongside Horticulture Staff to complete a variety of tasks in the garden which may include:
- Garden Maintenance – habitat maintenance, perennial and grass cutbacks, planting and watering new plantings of perennials, trees, and shrubs, mulching, pruning trees and shrubs, string trimming, and weed control in naturalized garden areas
- Display Garden Installation and Maintenance – maintaining indoor conservatories, tilling and amending soil, planting, mulching, watering, and controlling weeds in colorful display beds, pruning, potting and maintaining decorative containers, and evaluating plant performance
- Nursery Growing and Maintenance – watering, growing summer annuals, tropicals, perennials, and shrubs, weed and pest control, labeling, assisting with plant inventories
- Projects – assisting with the installation of new landscapes, planting trees & shrubs, placing rocks, grading soil, and mulching
- Outer Property Maintenance – mowing, string trimming, planting, mulching, and weed control in parking lots, community gardens, and adjacent properties
- Garden Event Prep – assisting staff with set up and facilitation of indoor and outdoor garden events
Qualifications/Experience: Education and/or experience in horticulture or landscape maintenance preferred; must be able to lift and move 50 pounds without mechanical assistance and have a valid driver’s license and be insurable to drive a Zoo vehicle.
Working Conditions: Employment is contingent upon passing a pre-employment, post-offer drug screen and background check. We are open 7-days a week, so the ability to work a flexible schedule including holidays & weekends is required. While performing the duties of the job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, walk and utilize manual dexterity to use various tools, machines and equipment. The job requires the ability to bend up and down regularly. The incumbent is also regularly exposed to various weather conditions and a wide diversity of plant material.
Requirements for Horticulture Assistant positions include:
- Individuals will have a passion for and general knowledge of plants, a willingness to learn and follow directions, and the ability to perform physical labor in an outdoor environment
- May perform physical labor around areas of heavy construction
- Maintain a safe work environment through the proper care of landscaping tools and equipment
- May operate motorized landscaping equipment (string trimmers, blowers, reciprocating saws, hedge trimmers, tillers) and vehicles (dump trucks, vans, golf carts, John Deere tractors and trailers)
- Identifies a wide array of plant species and cultivars
- Safe handling and responsible application of herbicides, when necessary
- Lead volunteer groups, works with other team members, and assists zoo visitors
- Support other departmental crews during peak seasons, such as planting annuals/tulips in the spring/fall, potting in the nursery, and during installation of new landscapes
- Ability be a good teammate and model the Zoo’s Core Values
Job Details:
Duration: Positions will run for various periods of time, beginning in March 2023
Hours: Variable hours, ranging from 20-40 per week
Pay Rate: Depending on experience
Key Perks & Benefits
Fun & engaging work environment
Ability to earn Paid Time Off
Complimentary Zoo passes
Discount on food & retail on Zoo grounds
Positive team culture
Flexible scheduling (Student Friendly)
Free Metro Bus Pass provided for duration of employment
Personal & professional development opportunities (career development, education, training, etc.)
Please include a resume/work history with your online application
We strive to be an organization that is diverse and reflects the fullness of society. With a strongly held value for an organizational culture characterized by inclusion and belonging, we are committed to equity in all we do. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to our organization’s diversity and who want to walk alongside us in our commitment to inclusion and equity. We are a Queen City Certified Leader in Workplace Equity. Non-traditional candidates of diverse backgrounds are not only welcomed, but highly encouraged to apply.
