Horticulture and Grounds Technician

Responsible for working as a team in the installation and maintenance of a botanical collection, of mostly Florida native species, in naturalistic habitats using environmentally responsible husbandry practices in indoor and outdoor exhibits, including the maintenance of The Florida Aquarium’s (TFA) parking lot landscaping and our Apollo Beach Campus location.  Responsible for the general maintenance of lawns, grounds & landscaping, the nursery, etc. This position supports the Horticulture Department in achieving organizational goals.

Essential Position Functions

• Performs the highest level of botanical services including mowing, line trimming, weeding, pruning, spraying, basic irrigation maintenance, and hand watering numerous potted plants. 
• Works with the Manager of Horticulture, Landscaping, & Grounds for the care of conservatory-style interior environments, exterior exhibit landscaping, and the botanical nursery.
• Provides clean-up of plant/tree debris/limbs etc. during planting and maintenance projects, including putting away, cleaning/organizing tools and equipment. 
• Performs general lawn maintenance and tends to our butterfly garden up to once weekly (or every other week, as needed) at our Apollo Beach Campus.
• Assists with basic grounds maintenance including pressure washing, etc.
• Ensures tools and equipment are maintained in a clean and orderly manner, this may include using, adjusting, cleaning, and servicing landscape tools and other equipment.
• Assists with basic plant maintenance, including watering, fertilizing, pruning, etc.
• Responsible for safely operating and maintaining power equipment such as pole saws, sprayers, trimmers, leaf blowers, etc.
• Addresses requests from Animal Care & Health Team related to animal habitat needs.
• Assists with opening Wetlands gallery and/or other opening procedures as assigned. 
• Follows environmentally responsible practices.
• Works with volunteers and interns within the scope of the position.
• Supports TFA’s Shared Purpose by participating in a Conservation Day of Action shift on an annual basis.
• Delivers extraordinary internal customer service to all team members, and external customer service to all aquarium guests.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent; college coursework in plant sciences a plus
• Master Gardner skills preferred but not required
• Experience working in grounds maintenance; some knowledge of Florida native species preferred
• Previous experience working in an aquarium, zoo, or attraction’s Horticulture Department is a plus
• Knowledge of common plant pests and disorders and the ability to mitigate pests and disorders using approved techniques and safety precautions

Competencies

• Customer Focus – Demonstrates courtesy, cooperation and friendliness with staff, volunteers and customers. Actively listens, anticipates and evaluates the customer’s needs. Ensures that customer satisfaction is a priority in all areas of responsibility. Actively engages our customers while fulfilling job responsibilities.
• Interpersonal Skills/Teamwork – Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively within a team and across departments for organizational success. Demonstrates a positive attitude and initiative, seeks to understand before being understood. Fosters a positive, supportive and encouraging work environment. Demonstrates respect for other’s opinions, trusts in their abilities and recognizes their contributions.
• Professional/Technical Knowledge – Remains current on developments in the field within and outside the organization; maintains proficiencies. 
• Communication (oral and written) — Effectively expressing ideas verbally and non-verbally and actively listening to individuals and groups; preparing and focusing presentations to the characteristics and needs of the audience; expressing ideas clearly and concisely in written form, through memoranda, letters, reports, and other documents.
• Concern for Detail — Pays attention to every portion of any task, down to the smallest item.
• Independence — Makes decisions and takes actions based on personal values rather than depending upon the opinions of others.
• Planning and Organizing — Establishing a course of action with specific long-range goals for the aquarium; setting priorities among competing requirements and allocating resources in the most efficient and effective way; developing contingency plans that participate changes in the work environment. 
• Collaboration — Works well with people outside immediate work group
• Work Standards — Applies high performance standards to all work-related activities

Typical Physical Requirements

• Walking – Frequently
• Standing – Frequently 
• Bending/Stooping — Frequently
• Squatting — Frequently
• Crawling — Occasionally
• Climbing heights (12’) —  Occasionally
• Reaching above shoulders — Frequently 
• Crouching — Frequently
• Kneeling — Frequently
• Balancing — Occasionally
• Pushing/Pulling — Frequently
• Carrying (up to 60 lbs.) —  Occasionally
• Lifting (up to 60 lbs.) —  Occasionally
• Working near moving machinery — Frequently
• Operating machinery - Frequently
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity

Exposure to dust, fumes and gases

• Coping with demands (stresses that are associated with the job and/or the work environment so that acceptable levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained
• Ability to travel (car) as needed - locally
• Daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals in a central Florida climate
• Available for on-call emergencies

Perks

• Medical,
• Dental,
• Vision,
• EAP,
• Memberships,
• and more!