Description

SUMMARY

The Seasonal Landscape Technician will perform functions to maintain daily and weekly landscape standards around the Birmingham Zoo property. Under direction of Maintenance Manager and Landscape Supervisor, the Landscape Technician is responsible for installation of landscape projects and aesthetic quality of the Zoo. Work is evaluated by management team through visual assessments of results achieved, as well as working within time constraints.

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs daily routine landscape work such as, mowing, weed eating, edging, blowing and other duties under direction of the Maintenance Manager or Landscape Supervisor.
• Performs inspections of Zoo grounds and external appearance on a regular basis, and reports any landscape or general appearance issues to Maintenance Manager, Landscape Supervisor, or Landscape Lead.
• Operates equipment including commercial mowers, blowers, trimmers, edgers, chainsaws, tillers, tractors, and trailers.
• Other duties as assigned.

SAFETY ANALYSIS

The Landscape Technician position is impacted by hazardous exposures common to the maintenance industry.

Specific training and procedures will be provided, designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection.

Equipment operation requiring the use of personal protective equipment such as ear and eye protection.

The Landscape Technician is responsible for following safety policies and procedures for their areas.

The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.

The Landscape Technician, as with any staff member of the zoo, is required to be familiar with the Zoos overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to their supervisor, Lead, first aid department, Safety Manager, or Manager on Duty (MOD).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee should expect:

• Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.
• Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, bend, crawl, crouch and talk or hear.
• Routinely lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Requires frequent walking for long distances
• Exposure to wet surfaces.
• Frequent exposure to the elements can be expected.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The Birmingham Zoo recognizes that skills and knowledge come from both formal and informal experiences including education, paid work, volunteer service, and life experience. Those who meet the majority of the requirements for a position are encouraged to apply.

Education and work experience

• High School Diploma or GED required; some college preferred.
• 1 to 3 years of field experience preferred.

Skills and Knowledge

• Must have an eye for detail and initiative to provide a quality appearance at the Zoo.
• Ability to operate landscape equipment, tractors and trailers or the ability to learn.
• Ability to multi-task and coordinate with others to provide deliverables on an agreed upon deadline.
• Ability to think critically and demonstrated time-management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information clearly and concisely.
• Must have basic competency in computer skills.
• Must have organizational skills with strong attention to detail.

Desirable qualities

• Strong interest in advancing the conservation missions of zoos and aquariums.
• High self-motivation and a detail-oriented work ethic.
• Professional, positive, and enthusiastic demeanor.

Other Requirements

• Must have current negative TB test and provide documentation, or be willing to have a TB test.
• Must be willing to us Zoo vehicles and occasionally travel locally. Must have a current valid drivers license with no prior traffic violations (within the last five years).

POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK

• Seasonal
• Weekdays and weekends required occasional with evening work and holidays.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

 Birmingham Zoo is dedicated to creating a global community where all people value wildlife and wild places. As a workplace, the Zoo is guided by its core values: Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Sustainability, and Diversity & Inclusion. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA community, neurodiverse individuals, and those with diverse lived experiences are encouraged to apply for this role.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and functions of this position. 

Birmingham Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

If selected, a background check and drug test will be conducted prior to beginning employment.

Birmingham Zoo Inc. is a not-for-profit entity. The rate of pay for this position is $12.50/hour.