Facility
Houston Zoo Inc.
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Horticulture Manager oversees staff or contractors who install and care for landscaping in and around zoo grounds – grasses, trees, shrubbery, flowers and other plantings. Designs or oversees the design of the zoos outside environment, including animal exhibits, lawns, gardens, water settings, walkways, etc
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provides strong leadership for the Zoo’s horticulture staff, which includes performance management, development and training
Consistently maintain Zoo landscape at a high level creating and environment that is enjoyable and educational for Zoo visitors
Strong working relationship with the animal care staff in the design and maintenance of exhibit landscape
Close working relationship with the Facilities Department in the design and implementation of project work on Zoo grounds
Develop and manage the annual budget for the Horticulture Department
Schedule and manage outside contractors working on Zoo grounds
Procures horticulture supplies and plant materials
Provides landscape design input for capital improvement projects and provides associated budgets
Develop and implement educational, entertaining activities for Zoo guests
Must communicate well with guests, volunteers, staff, contractors and vendors
Responsible for the professional development and progress of all direct reports
Manage design, installation and maintenance of plant material in exhibits and public areas
Ensure compliance with OSHA standards and regulations, as well as state, local and federal ordinances. Observes safety regulations and ensures that field teams do the same
Approves and manages expense budgets for department
Follows HZI purchasing policy in dealing with outside vendors/contractors ensuring the Zoo’s best interests are protected
Work with appropriate Zoo staff to co-coordinate projects and ensure that staff is prepared when projects are on-going in their area
SUPERVISION:
Supervises horticulture staff including two Supervisors, two Team Leads and the Horticulture Technicians.
PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The position requires extensive, near-continuous physical exertion such as repeated lifting of very heavy objects (more than 80 pounds), deep bending, climbing steps and/or assuming awkward positions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
There are routine discomforts from exposure to moderate heat, cold, moisture/wetness and unpleasant air conditions. The position may involve routine exposure to soiled materials and light chemical substances such as cleaning solutions.
PHYSICAL SKILL:
Requires the ability to make coordinated gross motor movements in response to changing external stimuli with in moderately demanding tolerances; or the ability to make coordinated eye/hand movements on a patterned response space within low tolerance demands with no real speed requirements.
Education and Pre-requisites
KNOWLEDGE:
A bachelor’s degree is required with a focus in landscape design, agriculture or life sciences preferred. Must have a valid Texas driver’s license and comply with the policy on driving. A thorough understanding of horticulture and the design of gardens and plantings are required.
EXPERIENCE:
A minimum of three years of experience in horticulture, landscape design or a related field is required. Additional experience may be substituted for advanced education in horticulture. Ideal candidate must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Compensation and benefits
Not specified.
Application instructions
Applicants can visit www.houstonzoo.org/careers to download an application
E-mail resume and completed application to careers@houstonzoo.org
Houston Zoo is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer