Description: The Turf Care Technician is responsible for ensuring that the zoo’s grass/turf areas, landscaped turf areas, parking lot medians, animal habitat turf areas, and all other grassed or turf areas are kept in a clean, well-manicured, and in good general agronomic health. This includes applying all current best turf management practices and regiments to ensure peak presentation standards and on-going and consistent turf health. Provides direction to assigned staff that ensures the zoo’s standards for park conditions are being met. Work schedule may include early or late start times and working weekends and holidays as required for meeting the zoo’s operating needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsible for and provides direction to assigned staff in ensuring all turfgrass areas of the park are ready to receive guests. Ensures that personnel assigned to zones are adhering to the turf care daily checklist. Maintains zoo turf grass in a healthy and well mown/presented condition.

Responsible for and provides direction to assigned staff for performing Landscape and Lawn Care maintenance. This includes weeding, watering, fertilizing, seeding, mowing, trimming, aeration, etc. Ensure that all turf grass is in healthy condition and that it does not pose a safety concern.

Responsible for learning, and adhering to, all unique and special turf requirements for not only the public and non-public area but also the animal exhibits and habitats.

Responsible for and provides direction to assigned staff for supporting our Special Events

Responsible for providing support and adhering to established protocols for our Emergency Response programs. This includes Lost Person, Medical, and Disruptive Guests, when appropriate, etc.

Responsible for and provides direction to assigned staff for parking guests when required.

Responsible for the performance of assigned staff, relaying any issues to the Horticulture manager.

Skills:

Ability to work with little or no supervision.

Ability to interact professionally with both staff and visitors.

Ability to perform assigned tasks in an organized efficient manner.

Ability to supervise assigned staff to ensure they are meeting zoo standards for performance.

Ability to operate efficiently and safely small, medium and heavy equipment and tools required for the execution of assigned tasks.

Ability to perform skilled landscape, lawn and general park maintenance.

Ability to responsibly maintain assigned storage space and tool/equipment inventory.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to work outside year-round in inclement weather conditions such as extreme high/low temperatures, snow and rain conditions. Must be able to work on his or her feet for extended periods of time and have the ability to bend, stoop, extend oneself etc., as required for performing assigned tasks. Must be able to work off of ladders, scaffolding, and lifts. Must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds.

Education:

Minimum High School diploma or GED equivalent is required, as well as an advanced degree in turfgrass or ornamental turf management. Must have a valid driver’s license. Must have a minimum of two years experience in the Landscape and Grounds maintenance profession or equivalent education.

Pre-employment requirements:

Applicants for this position are required to submit to a criminal background check and pass a drug test.

Nashville Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. You will be contacted via email regarding your application. No phone calls, please.