Seasonal Horticulturist

Part-Time, Seasonal Horticulturalist
Job Posting

Roger Williams Park Zoo (RWPZ) of Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the nation’s oldest zoos, exhibiting over 100 animal species. Our culture is built on our core values -community, fun, innovation, diversity, integrity, sustainability, and excellence. We value our role in the community as a treasured place for families and a trusted resource for learning; we create a sense of community for our staff and contribute to the global conservation community. We provide a fun experience for our guests and believe that a fun environment is essential to create a great workplace. We are willing to take risks, to propose novel ideas and to think “out of the box”. Bold dreams are welcome here. We act with respect toward all. Integrity and honesty drive our business practices and our relationships with each other and our constituents. We are driven by our vision of greater sustainability in our environmental practices and in our business model. We believe that by establishing a sustainable financial base we can best achieve our goals. We are always striving for excellence. We work to exceed expectations in all areas.

RWPZ is currently recruiting part-time Horticulturalists. Under the supervision of the Manager of Buildings/Grounds Maintenance and Horticulture, the Horticulturalist is responsible for all plant material within the Zoo and RWP Carousel including, but not limited to, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, mulching and leaf removal.

Responsibilities:

• Plant floral or ornamental plant and trees.
• Care and maintenance of all plant material within the Zoo including but not limited to, weeding, fertilizing, pruning and mulching.
• Irrigation of plants and lawns (public and off-exhibits areas).
• Daily operations and maintenance of the Greenhouse.
• When necessary, plan for the freezing, winterizing of plants.
• Landscaping inventories. Grass cutting, including trimming and edging.
• Special event setup of plant material.
• Identification of toxic plants.
• Participation and coordination of leaf removal.
• Follow all Zoo procedures in regards driving and maintaining Zoo vehicles and motorized equipment.

• Perform other duties as assigned by Manager of Buildings/Grounds Maintenance and Horticulture and/or the Chief Operating Officer.
• Assist in other areas of the Operations department including, but not limited to, crowd control and evacuation.

Required Experience, Education, and or Training:
Required Experience and Education:

High school diploma or equivalent plus one year experience in landscape design; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Experience and Education:

Additional preference will be given to those individuals who are bilingual or multilingual.

Competencies:

• Knowledge and use of plant materials.
• Proficient in hand power tools, snow blower, grass mower, etc.
• Cooperative attitude.
• Highly organized and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public.
• General knowledge of plant identification.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of a background check, per organization policy.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work outdoors under various weather conditions.
• 24 on-call available for Zoo emergencies, including storm responses.
• Willingness to work a flexible work schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends and holidays.

This includes Zoo Events such as, Zoobilee, Brew at The Zoo, and Jack-O- Lantern Spectacular.

• While performing the duties of the job, the employee occasionally sits and lifts and/or moves objects up to 50 pounds. This position often requires the employee to work in confined spaces and climb a ladder to maximum height of 25 feet.
• Work environment is primarily out in the public spaces of the Zoo where the noise levels is usually moderate to loud.

As a Horticulturalist, you will be joining our team in showcasing our Zoo pride and excellence in customer service.

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity to be a team member at a well-renowned Zoo in the New England area, send a cover letter and resume to:

Roger Williams Park Zoo
ATTN: Seasonal Horticulturist

1000 Elmwood Ave
Providence, RI 02907

-

Job Types: Part-time, Temporary, Seasonal

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid sick time

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person