Lead Groundskeeper

Description: The Lead Groundskeeper is responsible for ensuring that the zoo’s guest, landscaped, parking lots and staff service areas are kept in a clean and safe condition and for providing staff support to our Special Events and Emergency Response programs.  Provides direction to assigned staff that ensures 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 preparing the park to receive guests.  Ensures that personnel assigned to zones are adhering to the grounds daily checklist.  Maintains zoo grounds in a safe and clean condition.


• Responsible for and provides direction to assigned staff for performing Landscape and Lawn Care maintenance.  This includes weeding, mulching, watering, fertilizing, seeding mowing, trimming etc.  Ensure that trees are in healthy condition and that they do not pose a safety concern.


• Responsible for and provides direction to assigned staff for supporting our Special Events.  Includes ensuring that event set up and take downs meet Event Coordinator schedule and that all tasks are completed as requested. 


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


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


• Responsible for the performance of assigned staff.  Ensures zoo protocols, policies and departmental SOP are being adhered to.  Responsible for keeping Grounds Supervisor and Director of Facilities informed of any performance issues.

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 require d 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.  Must have a valid driver’s license.  Must have a minimum two years experience in the Landscape and Grounds maintenance profession.

Pre-employment requirements:

Offers for this position are contingent on the satisfactory results of a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check.