The Horticulture Team Lead will perform duties such as the installation of exciting and underutilized plants, watering, weeding, removal of invasive plants, pruning, fertilization, grading and other tasks needed for general care and maintenance of planted areas. The team is responsible for the beautification efforts for the Houston Zoo, including a large collection of bamboo, palm trees, exotic plants, and more.  In addition, the Horticulture Team Lead will also assist in the field supervision of the Horticulture Technicians when necessary. May occasionally be required to work weekends, holidays and beyond scheduled work hours and provide crowd control, if necessary, during peak times.

Our Mission: Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.

Our Vision: Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Must have a positive attitude, good communication skills, and be a team player

• Portray a helpful attitude when interacting with guests

• Assist Supervisors when the team is split into smaller groups and help monitor individual Technicians’ assigned areas

• Ensure the team remains productive in the absence of Supervisors

• Mentor and guide other team members

• Assist with supervision of volunteers, ensuring safety guidelines and Zoo protocols are followed

• Respond to radio calls when Supervisors are unavailable

• Help foster a positive team attitude and keep motivation high

• Inspect and correct, where necessary, the work performed by the team

• Report on the progress of individual team members

• Assist in training team members to establish best practices and procedures

• Complete assigned Work Orders and enter related data

• Assist in designing and oversee installation or renovation of Zoo landscaping as needed

• Maintain appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with chemicals or machinery and ensure the team does the same

• Ensure compliance with OSHA standards and state, local, and federal regulations; observe and enforce safety regulations in the field

• Coordinate projects with appropriate Zoo staff and ensure team preparedness when projects occur in their area

• Communicate progress of ongoing projects to Horticulture Supervisors

• Manage inventory and maintenance of departmental tools and equipment

• Maintain fertilization and herbicide application records

• Ensure daily browse harvesting for the Zoo’s animal collection follows best practices

• Clean and maintain plantings inside and outside exhibits to create a lush horticultural environment

• Provide intensive maintenance of plant material—watering, fertilizing, pruning, weeding, and other projects as required

• Contribute to wildlife conservation by reducing waste, water, and energy use and inspiring guests and staff to take wildlife‑protecting actions

• Perform other duties as assigned

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science (e.g., Horticulture, Agriculture) or equivalent work experience preferred

• One year or more of supervisory experience

• Valid Texas Driver’s License and compliance with Zoo driving policy

• Two years of experience in a horticultural field such as landscape installation, grounds maintenance, plant production, or tree work

• Strong background in plant identification and culture, plus working knowledge of horticultural best practices

• Specialist technical skills highly desirable (e.g., backhoe, skid‑steer, chipper, chainsaw)

About Houston Zoo

Houston Zoo is home to more than 6,000 permanent animal residents. Over 2 million guests visit each year to experience our diverse animals and ecosystems and attend public and private events. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure smooth operations and the safety and well‑being of our residents and guests. We strive to protect the wild counterparts of the animals in our care.

Join the Houston Zoo and help preserve wildlife and habitats by combining conservation with education and promoting sustainable livelihoods in local communities. Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimer 

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as a complete inventory of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.     This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.    Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.  

Benefits  

Full-time, regular positions are offered the following benefits.

• Medical and Prescription Drug Vision 

• Dental  Basic Life AD&D (100% Employer Paid) 

• Short Term Disability (100% Employer Paid) 

• Long Term Disability (100% Employer Paid) 

• Supplemental Life 

• Flexible Spending Account / Health Savings Account 401k, with employer match

Full-time and Part-Time, regular positions are offered the following additional benefits. 

• Free Zoo Membership 

• Free Guest Passes 

• Discounts on Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Admission and Programs 

• Free parking    

Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.