Horticulturist
Oregon MetroPosition Summary
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Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.
The Oregon Zoo’s Horticulture department is looking for a Horticulturist. Horticulturists at the Oregon Zoo perform and coordinate horticulture and gardening duties, including installation and repair of complex landscape irrigation systems, animal waste recycling, herbicide/pesticide applications and organic weed and pest control management, safety and emergency services, snow and ice removal, and general gardening duties. This position assists the Lead Horticulturist and other staff in horticulture planning, projects, construction, maintenance, and other functions.
As a Horticulturist You Will:
- Performs geographic zone area horticulture and gardening functions for designated areas such as the Africa, Elephant or Great Northwest areas, and works with keepers and other colleagues to diagnose, test, plant, and maintain unique and specialized landscape and gardening.
- Maintains turf areas by mowing, trimming, edging, fertilizing, and spraying. Plants grass by laying sod or spreading grass seed.
- Operates gas and battery-powered equipment including lawn mowers, tiller, sod cutter, chipper, blowers, chain saws, and edger and uses a variety of other hand tools, including sprayers, pruning saws and other garden tools; keeps all equipment clean and in proper working condition through preventative maintenance and by making minor repairs.
- Troubleshoots problems such as pathway obstructions, irrigation breaks, plant disease concerns, visitor safety or exhibit substrate issues.
- Operates motorized vehicles, pickup trucks, front-end loaders, tractors, backhoe, forklift, skid-steer loaders, lifts, dump trucks and other equipment necessary for performance of essential duties.
- Plants bulbs, trees, shrubs, flowers and exotic plant material; pots plants and transplants plants; maintains trees, flowers and shrubs by pruning, thinning, spraying, staking and arranging; pulls weeds, rakes leaves, cleans plant beds and replenishes bark dust covering.
- Installs, repairs, modifies and maintains landscape irrigation systems, programs irrigation controllers. Performs and assists in conservation and restoration activities and in landscape construction; performs duties such as excavation, site preparation and installation of drainage systems, rock walls, retaining walls, plant material installation, prepping roadbeds and walkways, and fence construction.
- Fertilizes, mixes and conditions soil for different types of flowers, shrubs, trees and other plants; inspects for pests, disease and other deteriorating agents; selects and uses appropriate herbicides and pesticides; repairs damaged trees, shrubs and flowers.
- Assists and works with animal keepers and other staff in evaluating and planning landscape and horticulture needs, specialty zone area plant selection, landscape and gardening practices to ensure animal care, horticulture, safety and guest service requirements.
- Identifies appropriate plant browse materials for specific animals throughout the zoo; cuts and distributes browse to enrich animals' diets.
- Assists the public to ensure a positive and unique experience, and enhances Zoo use, appreciation, events and visitation.
- Picks up plants and tools from nurseries, garden centers and private donors; performs general maintenance tasks, collecting animal waste and sweeping and collecting litter from walkways, parking lots and animal exhibit areas.
- Performs first responder and emergency service duties such as participating in lost child searches, ice and snow removal, and sanding during inclement weather.
- Performs assigned duties during an emergency.
Attributes for Success:
- Follow and issue oral and written instructions and offer clear communication with staff.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and work independently or as a team member.
- Work outdoors under severe storms and adverse climate conditions.
- Physically perform all 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 work in a courteous and professional manner.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.
Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity
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 Requirements
- An associate's degree or post-secondary equivalent; AND
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional horticulture and gardening experience; OR
- Any combination of experience and education that provides the necessary skills, knowledge and ability to perform assigned tasks.
Required:
- Valid Driver’s License
Like to have qualifications
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.
- Previous experience working in a union an environment.
- Previous experience working in a zoo.
- Previous experience working in a public ornamental garden.
Driving Record Check: The candidate selected for the position will need to pass a Driving Record check prior to being hired. Speeding tickets do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Skills Test: Candidates invited to the interview process must successfully complete a skills test which will include Plant Identification, Tool Identification and Use, Lifting, Landscape Irrigation Problem Solving, and Pruning Theory and Practice.
Ability to obtain and maintain (within six months of hire):
- Oregon Public Pesticide Applicator license
- First Aid/CPR Certification
Working Conditions:
Will be outdoors in heat, cold and other inclement weather.
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 yourapplication 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 answers to supplemental questions
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply
If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
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
- Skills assessment
- Reference check
- Driving records check for finalist candidate.
COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON
The full-salary range for this position is step 1: $28.53 to step 5: $36.40. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirementsand Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $28.53 to the equity range step 4:
$ 34.25.
This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by LiUNA 483. It is classified as a Horticulturist.
Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.
Questions?
Recruiter: Christina Rentas
Email: christina.rentas@oregonmetro.gov
Additional Information
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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.
Accommodation
Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
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.
Pay equity at Metro
No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. 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.
Online applications
Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
How to Apply
For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page.
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Metro
As part of the Metro family, the Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.