Gardener

SALARY & FLSA: $33.15 - $37.87 per hour; FLSA non-exempt

$33.15 - $37.87. The starting rate for this role is $33.15. Every employee under the Joint Crafts Council wage scale, on first appointment, will receive the first step of the salary range for the position. Employees will advance to the second step at the start of the pay period after their one-year anniversary in the job classification and each milestone thereafter (3 years, 6 years, 11 years, and 17 years of service) with Step 6 being the maximum pay rate.

OPENING DATE: 04/22/2026

CLOSING DATE: 05/08/2026

JOB TYPE: Full-time/ Regular

UNION: Represented

OPENINGS: 1

LOCATION: Onsite

DEPARTMENT: Horticulture

This role has an anticipated schedule of Monday - Friday OR Sunday - Thursday from 7 AM to 3:30 PM

 

HOW DO YOU ZOO?

More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.” Apply today and show us how you zoo.

WHO YOU ARE
As our new Gardener, we know you will be successful in this role because you:

• Cultivate Beauty: You have an eye for design and landscape planning to create visually appealing and functional gardens.
• Style All Things Green: You know which tool to use to skillful prune and trim plants to promote proper growth and shape and how to promptly deal with pests and diseases to promote plant health.
• Motivate and Guide: You have a deep understanding of various plant species and you share that knowledge by training and leading a small seasonal team and volunteers to maintain gardens and complete projects on schedule.
• Keep the Water Flowing: From maintaining to installing irrigation systems you ensure plants’ thirst is quenched.
• Enjoy Staying Active: You relish being inside warm tropical areas and outside in all weather conditions from digging and lifting to climbing on ladders for trimming.

 

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide hands on horticultural maintenance of assigned area.
• Transplant and prune trees and shrubs. Prepare, plant, and maintain planting beds. Seed lawn areas and transplant sod. Fertilize, mow, aerate, and generally maintain lawn areas and sprinkler systems, ball, burlap, plant, and transplant trees and shrubs; rototill topsoil; grade, seed, and perform sod work for new lawn areas; plant ground cover; design and install flower beds and plant annuals, biennials, and perennials.
• Make recommendations on aesthetic, functional and facility improvements.
• Make field decisions on appropriate tools, methods and techniques to accomplish assigned task(s).
• Lead and train a small group of assistant gardeners and volunteers in daily activities.
• Apply pesticides. Spray trees and shrubs; direct the operation of spraying equipment and maintain records of pesticide application.
• Repair irrigation systems.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from an accredited two-year college or technical school; or one (1) year related experience including care and management of horticultural assets, such as rose gardens; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to obtain a Washington State Public Pesticide Operator's License required within 12 months of hire
• Understand Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and techniques required.
• Able to regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds, and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history.

 

BENEFITS 

The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for full time staff including:

• Medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plans for you and eligible dependents
• 11 paid holidays and 4 personal holidays
• Accrue 12 vacation days and another 12 days of sick leave your first year
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts after 90 days 
• 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks  
• Free staff parking 
• 403(b) Retirement Plan

 

SELECTION PROCESS
Application: Please include a resume with your application through our Zoo Careers site at zoo.org/jobs. Please be sure to list or upload copies of all relevant training and certifications on your application. The zoo may review existing application pools to fill this position or use this pool to fill future vacancies. 

 

This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.

 

Screening: We will review applications and select some candidates for screening calls. Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews.

 

Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check. In addition, this role requires the applicant successfully complete a: driving record review and pre-employment physical.