What are the responsibilities and job description for the Horticulturist - VHE position at Ag Jobs?
Salary: $23.94 Hourly
Location : Oregon Zoo, OR
Job Type: Variable Hour (formerly "temporary")
Job Number: 2023-4465-Zoo
Department: Oregon Zoo
Opening Date: 02/07/2024
Closing Date: 2/22/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
Position Summary
Are you a person that likes working outdoors and working with your hands to create beautiful spaces for guests and animals to enjoy? The Oregon Zoo is hiring for variable hour Horticulturist. You will directly help create and maintain landscaping for one of Oregon's most popular visitor attractions while supporting our groundbreaking wildlife research and conservation activities.
As a Horticulturist you will:
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.
Minimum Qualifications:
Specific schedule: This position will have no set schedule and hours will be variable in nature based on business need - heavier in the summer and lighter in the winter. Hours are variable with no set schedule and limited to 1040 hours of work in a 12 month period.
Working environment : Will be outdoors in heat, cold and other inclement weather
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:
If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
REPRESENTATION
This position is non-exempt and represented by LiUNA 483 union and is classified as a (click to read the full classification). Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.
SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The Application Packet: The application packet consists of the following documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.
The Selection Process:
We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.
Recruiter: Megan Warneke
Email:
Additional Information
Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.
Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call 503-797-1570 or email at jobs@oregonmetro.gov.
Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-797-1570 or jobs@oregonmetro.gov.
Pay equity at Metro: Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): Unless otherwise stated in a collective bargaining agreement,Metro pays both the employee and employer portion of PERS contributions for eligible employees.
Veterans' preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.
This is a variable hour position with no guarantee of hours. The position is eligible for these benefits:
Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.
Some variable hour positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.
01
Describe your training and experience in landscape maintenance, including plant care, irrigation, animal exhibits, public ornamental gardens, interior plantscapes, Integrated Pest Management and plant identification.
02
Check off all the hand tools or specialized tools you have used or have operated in landscape maintenance and construction.
Required Question
Location : Oregon Zoo, OR
Job Type: Variable Hour (formerly "temporary")
Job Number: 2023-4465-Zoo
Department: Oregon Zoo
Opening Date: 02/07/2024
Closing Date: 2/22/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
Position Summary
Are you a person that likes working outdoors and working with your hands to create beautiful spaces for guests and animals to enjoy? The Oregon Zoo is hiring for variable hour Horticulturist. You will directly help create and maintain landscaping for one of Oregon's most popular visitor attractions while supporting our groundbreaking wildlife research and conservation activities.
As a Horticulturist you will:
- Assist and collaborate with animal keepers and other staff to evaluate and plan landscape and horticulture needs. This includes specialty zone area plant selections, landscape and gardening practices to ensure animal care, conservation and restoration.
- Maintain many different types of flowers, shrubs, trees, turf and other plants. This will include inspecting for pests, disease and other deteriorating agents; as part of an IPM program; repairs damages, trimming of shrubs, turf and flowers.
- Assist in planting bulbs, trees, shrubs, turf, flowers; pots plants and transplants plants; maintains trees, flowers and shrubs by pruning, thinning, spraying, staking and arranging; pulls weeds, rakes leaves, cleans plant beds, waters color, collect browse, and replenishes bark dust covering.
- Assist the public with general zoo questions or provide directions to ensure a positive and unique experience, and be an ambassador for the Zoo.
- Troubleshoots problems such as pathway obstructions, irrigation breaks, plant disease concerns, visitor safety or exhibit substrate issues.
- Tools available will be gas-powered & electric gardening equipment and a variety of other hand tools. This role will help keep all equipment clean and in proper working condition through preventative maintenance and by making minor repairs.
- Operates motorized vehicles, pickup trucks, front-end loaders, tractors, backhoes, forklifts, bobcats, lifts, street sweepers, dump trucks and other equipment necessary for performance of essential duties.
- Assists the public, public officials and other employees in a professional and courteous manner.
- Develops safe work habits and contributes to the safety of self and co-workers. Contributes to a positive team atmosphere. Has regular and punctual attendance.
- Standard practices, materials, methods, tools and equipment used in planting, transplanting, cultivating and caring for native and landscape plant material, tropical/indoor plantscapes, trees, plants, flowers, shrubs and lawns.
- Proper relationship between soils and plants. Irrigation and watering systems.
- Plant identification. Fertilizers and their use. Pest and weed control.
- Plant diseases and symptoms.
- Safely use hand and power tools and equipment.
- Communicate effectively with the public and colleagues and management.
- Follow and issue oral and written instructions and offer clear communication with staff.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and to work independently or as a team member.
- Work outdoors under severe storms and adverse climate conditions.
- Physically perform all of the essential duties of the position including climbing, kneeling, stooping, walking, bending, twisting and lifting 50 pounds.
- Provide excellent customer service by meeting the needs and interacting with employees, volunteers, vendors, the public and others encountered during the course of work in a courteous and professional manner.
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Three (3) years progressively responsible professional horticulture and gardening experience and Associate's degree or post-secondary equivalent or
- Any combination of experience and education that provides the necessary skills, knowledge and ability to perform assigned tasks
- Ability to obtain within six months of hire an Oregon Pesticide Applicator License and First Aid/CPR Certification.
- A valid driver's license
Specific schedule: This position will have no set schedule and hours will be variable in nature based on business need - heavier in the summer and lighter in the winter. Hours are variable with no set schedule and limited to 1040 hours of work in a 12 month period.
Working environment : Will be outdoors in heat, cold and other inclement weather
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:
If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
REPRESENTATION
This position is non-exempt and represented by LiUNA 483 union and is classified as a (click to read the full classification). Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.
SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The Application Packet: The application packet consists of the following documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.
- A completed online application
- Complete responses to the supplemental questions
The Selection Process:
We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.
- Initial review of minimum qualifications
- In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
- Consideration of top candidates/interviews
- Testing/Assessments (if applicable)
- Reference Check
- Driving records check for finalist candidate
Recruiter: Megan Warneke
Email:
Additional Information
Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.
Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call 503-797-1570 or email at jobs@oregonmetro.gov.
Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-797-1570 or jobs@oregonmetro.gov.
Pay equity at Metro: Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): Unless otherwise stated in a collective bargaining agreement,Metro pays both the employee and employer portion of PERS contributions for eligible employees.
Veterans' preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.
This is a variable hour position with no guarantee of hours. The position is eligible for these benefits:
- Paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave
- Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement if eligible and qualified.
- No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
- Employee Assistance Program
Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.
Some variable hour positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.
01
Describe your training and experience in landscape maintenance, including plant care, irrigation, animal exhibits, public ornamental gardens, interior plantscapes, Integrated Pest Management and plant identification.
02
Check off all the hand tools or specialized tools you have used or have operated in landscape maintenance and construction.
- Lawn mowers
- Sod cutters
- Tillers
- Chippers
- Jack Hammers
- Chain saw
- Bobcats
- Lifts
- Street sweepers
- Edger
Required Question
Salary : $24