<p>Turtle Back Zoo</p> <p>Seasonal Horticulture Assistant</p> <p>SEASONAL HORTICULTURE ASSISTANT</p> <p>This is a seasonal position at the Turtle Back Zoo, an AZA accredited and American Humane Certified facility, in the field of Ornamental and Zoological Horticulture. Our team maintains and preserves horticultural and botanical facilities using sound zoological horticulture practices. Our goal is to preserve and enhance the Zoo's assets and ensure quality services and product delivery. Considerable independent judgement must be exercised by the employee with direction from the Horticulture Curator. Work is performed under general direction of a Senior Horticulturist and reviewed upon completion.</p> <p>KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES</p> <ul> <li>Comprehend and follow instructions effectively </li><li>Communicate and work effectively with others, effective customer relations </li><li>Work in a team environment and motivate others </li><li>Deal tactfully and courteously with others </li><li>Knowledge of a variety of plants, plant materials and growth principles </li><li>Horticultural soil conditions and preparations </li><li>Methods and precautions for applying fertilizers and insecticides </li><li>Working knowledge of tree & shrub maintenance practices </li><li>Proper watering techniques </li><li>Work safety practices </li><li>Layout of the Turtle Back Zoo/South Mountain Recreation Complex </li></ul> <p>DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES</p> <p>Maintain Plant Collections - Propagate, cultivate, water, prune, fertilize, mulch, aerate, monitor disease and pests, design, display, and transplant annual, perennial, tree, shrub, and turf species in outdoor, indoor, and greenhouse settings.</p> <ul> <li>Assists in the production of bedding plants, potted plants, and nursery stock and maintains records on the growing operation. </li><li>Assists in the production, harvesting, acquisition and quality control of Animal Browse material </li><li>Assists in providing and maintaining quality plant, tree, and shrub Animal Exhibit Furniture. </li><li>Assists in preparing acquisitions for various types of plants and seeds. </li><li>Assists with Summer Camp programming and teaching </li><li>Assists with Horticulture Volunteer projects and supervision. </li><li>Assists in supervising the processing of accessioning, deaccessioning, mapping, relocating, and labeling plants in collection areas. </li><li>Trains contracted grounds personnel in the techniques of pruning, wound dressing, cavity repair, and the cabling and bracing of trees and shrubs. </li><li>Seasonal Events and Themes - Set up and tear down different seasonal themed decorations and help work on creating seasonal decorations. </li><li>Assists in all phases of the Seasonal Butterfly Exhibit. </li><li>Assists in ancillary phases of Beekeeping & Apiary Maintenance </li><li>Assists in the preparation of maintenance programs for the control of plant diseases and insects. </li><li>Assists in preparing fertilizer programs for various types of plants. </li><li>Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 lbs. </li><li>Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions </li><li>Ability to navigate slopes, uneven terrain, bog & wet sites on foot </li></ul> <p>PERFORMS RELATED DUTIES AS REQUIRED:</p> <ul> <li>Assists in invasive removals, soil and site preparation, design, grading, construction, and installation in renovated and new planting zones. </li><li>Attends meetings and completes training as directed by Supervisor. </li><li>Ability to provide and/or follow oral, written, and visual instructions and feedback. Must be team oriented. </li><li>Properly and safely operate box trucks, pickup trucks, golf carts, utility vehicles, pruners, watering units, tillers, pesticide sprayers, soil aerators, manual and automatic irrigation systems, and other various equipment and tools. </li></ul> <p>Experience Required</p> <p>REQUIRED EDUCTION, LICENSE/CERTIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from or currently attending an accredited college or university in an appropriate curriculum and considerable experience related to this class of work; or any equivalent combination of training and experience preferred Residency within the State of New Jersey at the time of hire required High School Diploma and or GED required Valid Driver's License required and must be maintained throughout employment Previous work experience in Landscaping or Horticulture preferred Basic computer knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel required Horticulturist training or enrolled in Horticulturist training preferred Candidate should be motivated to develop their Zoological Horticulture skills ASSETS: Knowledge of ornamental horticulture in all phases. Knowledge of plant propagation and cultivation. Knowledge of the principles of greenhouse and nursery management. Knowledge of the principles of supervision. Knowledge of the elementary principles of zoo landscaping and exhibit design. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and successfully pass a criminal background check.</p> <p>How to Apply</p> <p>For Application and Inquiries contact Deborah MacEvoy, Horticulture Curator at: dmacevoy@parks.essexcountynj.org</p> <p>Turtle Back Zoo</p> <p>560 Northfield Ave</p> <p>West Orange, NJ 07052</p>