Gardener

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prune and weed landscaped areas.
• Must be able to learn and remember tasks and processes, maintain focus and complete tasks independently.
• Monitor irrigation systems and ensure they are working properly.
• Hand water all plantings that are not established.
• Install plants when necessary.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Responsible for assisting other departments and staff when requested.
• Responsible for completing assigned tasks in an orderly and efficient manner.
• Responsible for furthering horticulture knowledge during tenure at the Zoo.

Qualifications

• Ability to work with little or no supervision.
• Ability and motivation to learn the plants on grounds and their proper care.
• Ability to interact professionally with both staff and visitors.
• Ability to perform assigned tasks in an organized and efficient manner.
• Ability to professionally and safely use small, medium and heavy equipment and tools required for the execution of assigned tasks.

Skills

• Ability to work with little or no supervision.
• Ability and motivation to learn the plants on grounds and their proper care.
• Ability to interact professionally with both staff and visitors.
• Ability to perform assigned tasks in an organized and efficient manner.
• Ability to professionally and safely use small, medium and heavy equipment and tools required for the execution of assigned tasks.

Education/Experience

• A minimum high school diploma or GED equivalent is required.
• A background in landscaping or grounds maintenance is preferred.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

Physical Responsibilities

• Frequently stand and walk for most of an 8–10-hour shift and regularly bend, kneel, reach, climb, and perform repetitive motions while cleaning, maintaining grounds, or performing facilities repairs.
• Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 lbs and occasionally heavier items with assistance, as well as safely navigate ladders, stairs, uneven surfaces, and wet or slippery areas.
• Adequate vision, hearing, hand dexterity, and clear communication are necessary to operate tools, equipment, vehicles, and radios safely.
• Work occurs both indoors and outdoors year-round in all weather conditions, with routine exposure to dust, dirt, chemicals, cleaning agents, noise, and equipment vibration.
• Positions may involve using power tools, machinery, or motorized vehicles and require adherence to established safety procedures.
• Learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete task independently, and make timely decisions in the context of a workflow.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Work Schedule

Full-time position, averaging 40 hours per week.

Flexibility: Position may require flexibility in working hours to accommodate special events, emergencies, or animal care needs.

Pre-employment requirements

• Nashville Zoo is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and maintains a drug-free work environment.
• All employment is at-will.
• All candidates are required to successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screening prior to hire.
• Pre-employment and annual tuberculosis (TB) screenings are a condition of continued employment.

Pay Range

$17.37 USD - $18.41 USD