Seasonal Landscape Technician

Birmingham Zoo Inc. (BZI) is a nonprofit, Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited Zoo and regional tourist attraction serving the greater Birmingham community and beyond. We advance wildlife conservation through responsible animal care, education, and local and global conservation efforts in support of our mission, Inspiring Passion to Conserve the Natural World.

About the role

The Seasonal Landscape Technician is responsible for performing landscape maintenance and installation tasks to support the appearance, safety, and functionality of Zoo grounds. This role contributes to maintaining daily and weekly landscape standards and supporting projects that enhance the overall aesthetic quality of the Zoo. All employees serve as ambassadors of the Zoo and are expected to act in a professional manner consistent with the Zoo’s mission and its core values of Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Stewardship, and Inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Performs routine landscape maintenance tasks, including mowing, trimming, edging, and general grounds care to support the appearance and safety of Zoo property.
• Monitors grounds and reports landscape or appearance concerns to leadership to support timely maintenance and consistent standards.
• Operates and maintains landscape equipment (e.g., mowers, trimmers, and related tools) to complete assigned work safely and effectively.
• Adheres to all organizational policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and applicable departmental guidelines.
• Demonstrates professionalism, accountability, and adherence to organizational policies, safety procedures, and training requirements, serving as a model for staff.

This job description reflects the general nature of the work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties. Additional duties reasonably related to the employee’s primary responsibilities and organizational needs may be assigned, provided they are within the employee’s training, experience, and safety requirements.

Safety Analysis

• Exposure to hazards common to outdoor and operational Zoo environments, including weather conditions, equipment, and other environmental factors.
• Safety of people is the highest priority, followed by the safety of the animal collection; specific training and procedures will be provided.
• Use and understanding of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required based on assigned tasks and work conditions.
• Ability to safely operate and, as applicable, obtain training or certification on equipment, vehicles, and tools used in the performance of assigned duties.
• Follow all Zoo safety policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Emergency Procedure Manual; promptly report injuries, incidents, or safety concerns through established reporting channels.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, and move for extended periods in outdoor and operational environments.
• Ability to use hands, fingers, and tools or equipment required for assigned tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including exchanging information with others.
• Ability to routinely move, lift, or carry items up to 50 pounds or more, depending on assigned duties.
• Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including exposure to weather, humidity, temperature changes, and wet or uneven surfaces.
• Ability to perform physically demanding maintenance and landscape tasks, including digging, lifting, pushing, pulling, and operating equipment over uneven terrain.
• Ability to safely operate or assist in operating maintenance and landscape equipment, vehicles, and tools for extended periods.

Qualifications

Birmingham Zoo Inc. recognizes that skills and knowledge may be gained through a combination of education, paid employment, volunteer service, and other relevant experiences. Candidates who meet most of the qualifications for a position are encouraged to apply.

• Education and Work Experience: High school diploma or equivalent is required. Approximately one to three years of experience in landscaping or a related field is preferred.
• Skills, Knowledge, and Desired Qualities:
  • Demonstrates attention to detail and initiative to support high-quality grounds and overall appearance of Zoo property.
  • Uses or learns to use landscape equipment and applies organization and time management skills to complete tasks and meet deadlines.
  • Communicates clearly and respectfully and collaborates effectively with others while supporting a safe, professional, and mission-driven work environment.
• Other Requirements:
  • Employees working in or around animal areas may be required to meet health and safety requirements, including TB testing, rabies vaccination or titer verification, and documentation of other vaccinations. In situations where required documentation is not provided or current, employees may be required to use appropriate PPE, including an N95 respirator or similar protection.
  • May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR certification or be willing to complete training and certification as a condition of the role.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with Zoo policy to operate Zoo-owned vehicles (including golf carts), powered equipment, and/or ride or attraction systems. A pre-employment Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) check will be conducted, and an annual MVR review is required.
  • May be required to travel on occasion.

Schedule

• Work schedules are based on operational needs and may include any combination of weekdays, weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events.
• Employees may be required to work during emergency situations or unusual operational circumstances.
• Participation in an on-call rotation may be required; when on call, employees must be able to report to the Zoo within 30 minutes.