Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. (TZMI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of “Connecting, Caring, Advocating for Wildlife, People, and Wild Places.†A dynamic group of passionate individuals brings the zoo to life each day, 365 days per year, caring for animals, greeting guests, educating the public and managing the facilities. Each member of the team is integral to the success of the zoo as a key asset in the City of Tulsa and the Northeast Oklahoma region, delivering recreational opportunities, providing unplugged family time and conserving animal species for future generations.
Position Summary:
Under general supervision, this position performs skilled and semi-skilled landscape duties and functions necessary to maintain plant collections, landscapes, and zoo grounds to meet or exceed desired standards in an efficient and independent manner.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Other duties may be assigned in keeping with the mission of Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. (TZMI)
Oversees, installs, and sustains turf, landscaping and botanical garden collection and performs related maintenance such as watering, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, pruning and trimming, and landscape construction.
Plants and maintains trees, shrubs, flowering plants, groundcovers, and plantings.
Aerates, fertilizes, mows, trims, edges and seeds grounds and turf areas.
Propagates plant materials by various means (seed, cuttings, divisions, etc.) either in the field or greenhouse/nursery environment.
Inspects for, identifies, and treats for pests and diseases on exterior and interior plants.
Operates, adjusts, installs and repairs irrigation systems, both automatic and manual.
Operates and maintains a variety of light and heavy equipment, including mowing equipment, tractor, back-hoe, front-end loader, skid loader (bobcat), trencher, tiller, and utility vehicles.
Utilizes a wide array of tools such as shovels, rakes, pruners, clippers, chain saw, gas blower, non-electric and electric handheld tools, etc.
Performs routine clearing of zoo sidewalks, pathways, parking areas, and service roads of litter, dirt, leaves, trash, snow/ice, etc. per pre-determined schedule.
Monitors grounds for fallen limbs, trash, and other unwanted articles that are unsightly, hazardous, or potentially lost by patrons.
Requisitions supplies, materials, and equipment; monitors inventory; loads and unloads supplies.
Assists Horticulture Curator and Supervisor in maintaining plant inventory and records.
Trains, assists, and oversees work of volunteers/interns and ensures their safety while performing these duties.
Recognizes signs of pest infestation in animal areas and combats pests/nuisance wildlife as directed.
Maintains area compliance with all local, state, federal, and international regulations meeting the standards of USDA, AZA, etc.
Attends and participates in staff meetings to discuss the needs of the collection and staff, to resolve problems, and to learn of new procedures and policies.
Participates in visitor education programs, formal and informal presentations and outreach programs, scheduled talks and provide accurate information to the public.
Maintains necessary certifications as required (SCUBA, AZA Elephant Management, Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) etc.)
Maintains necessary testing/vaccinations as required (TB, rabies, etc.).
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Associate’s degree in horticulture or related field or equivalent from college or technical school; two years related experience and/or training in landscape maintenance, landscape construction, greenhouse/nursery, irrigation or similar; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
