Horticulture Browse Care Extern

Duties & Responsibilities

• Identifies, collects, processes and distributes browse (plant material) for various animals as diet and enrichment.  


• Works with horticulture team to design, install, and care for animal exhibits.


• Assists horticulturists in plant research and identification.


• Assists in workflows and daily tasks of horticulture department as needed such as watering, planting, weeding, and mulching. 


• Works closely with animal care team to collect and distribute browse and shadows activities as needed.


• Maintains exhibits, public areas, garden beds, off-exhibit holding areas and grounds, including some landscaping (e.g. weeding, raking leaves).


• Attends safety and professional development training as required.


• As assigned by their supervisor, assists in research projects and citizen science activities.


• Participates in integrated pest control management as directed by the Pest Control Manager.  May include, setting and clearing traps, and reporting problem areas.


• Carries a two-way radio as assigned, uses and handles it responsibly.


• Participates in plant records and mapping workflows to assist in identifying browse locations.


• May be assigned to work in any area of either zoo and performs related work as required and/or assigned.


• Participates in teams and departmental meetings as assigned, and makes suggestions regarding browse program, exhibition, and development of standards and procedures.


• Assists in the collection and transport of purchased or donated trees, plants and flowers.


• Informs coworkers and supervisors of operational and/or procedural changes in order to maintain good communications. Identifies and reports needed work orders or any needs to their supervisor.


• Exhibits positive attitude, affect, attitude, articulation and affability towards guests, co-workers and colleagues.

Physical Demands

• Frequently moves about on foot across the zoo, spending extended periods of time on feet.


• Frequently raises/lowers, transports, and positions bulky objects (e.g. piles of browse) weighing up to 50 pounds from truck to ground, from ground to barrels or pallets grasping with hands and arms, to maintain food stock and supplies.


• Frequently stoops, kneels, or crouches to work, such as to cut and prune plant material.


• Frequently converses with guests, co-workers and contractors to exchange accurate information for horticulture, animal care, education and safety purposes. Must be able to identify and communicate animal health and welfare and safety concerns via the radio.

Work Conditions

• Constantly working in outdoor climatic conditions including rain, extreme cold or heat, and humidity.


• Occasionally exposed to and working in close contact with a variety of exhibit animals (including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects), animal waste, dander, feathers, hay, dust, allergens and contagious diseases.


• Occasionally working around electric fencing.


• Occasionally working in small spaces with loud animals.


• Occasionally assist in emergencies with high stress situations, e.g., Fire, hazmat, animal incident (Animal Recovery or Crowd Control Unit), human health or injury, natural disaster, criminal incident, resource loss or compromise, or emergency assistance to guests as directed.


•  Occasionally works in areas where environmental hazards such as poison ivy and stinging insects may be present.

Minimum Job Requirements

•  High School Diploma or GED.


• TB tested negative within the last 12 months before starting if working in primate areas


• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19


•  Must have demonstrated plant identification skills through formal or informal training.


• Must be able to identify approximately 20 species of plants used in browse program.


•  Must possess great written and oral communication skills to understand instructions and information of a technical nature.


• Must have the ability and willingness to function independently and as a member of a team.


• Must have the ability to work for extended periods in harsh climatic conditions.


• Must have no allergies, diseases, or conditions that would prevent working in any area of the Zoos.


• Must be capable of basic math.


• Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs.


• Ability to use hand and small power tools, hand and pole saws.


• Must be able and willing to work weekends, holidays, and overtime.


• Must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license with a safe driving history and be comfortable driving to collect/distribute browse. 

Zoo New England is an Equal Opportunity Employer by Choice

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE