SALARY & FLSA: $36.12- $41.26 per hour, FLSA nonexempt

$36.12 - $41.26. The starting rate for this role is $36.12. 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: 03/18/2026

CLOSING DATE: 04/8/2026

JOB TYPE: Regular, Full-time

UNION: Represented

OPENINGS: 1

LOCATION: Onsite, 5 Days a week

DEPARTMENT: Horticulture

This role is anticipated to work a Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm schedule.

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 Lead Gardener, we know you will be successful in this role because you are:

Are a Natural Leader: You are confident in making work assignments, listening to concerns, identifying solutions, and relaying the successes and pain points to the manager.
Part of the Crew: You are happy to answer questions from guests who are curious about what you are doing, bring a good sense of humor, offer a helping hand, and get to know the various teams.
Are a Plant Enthusiast: You can identify different kinds of plant species, and you use your green thumb to care for and enhance the bioclimatic diversity of plants and trees which grow in our urban forest.
Enjoy Working Outdoors: No matter what the weather is like, you thrive being outside. You might be pruning plants or driving a vehicle filled with a load of zoo doo.
Committed to Excellence: If you’re asked to weed there will be no dandelion root left, if you’re spreading mulch the depth and distance from the various plants will be appropriate, and you’ll leave the space better than you found it.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordinate daily work of the Gardeners and Assistant Gardeners.
Maintain required records; prepares necessary reports.
Prepare, plant, and maintain planting beds; seeds lawn areas and cuts and transplants sod.
Lead the implementation of landscape designs from blueprints and plans.
Lead and perform non-routine spraying, pruning, or planting; performs aspects of plant propagation and care including soil preparation and mixing, pruning, fertilizing, spraying, potting, of plants, preparation of trees and shrubs for transplanting, and propagation by seeds, cuttings, layering, grafting, or divisions.
Assist in the preparation and justification of annual budget information. Maintain records on all expenditures.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited four-year college or university; and three years’ experience in and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience, which includes the care and management of horticultural assets like rose gardens and understanding Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and techniques.
A Washington State Public Pesticide Operators License must be obtained upon hire.
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 fulltime staff including:

Medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plans for you and eligible dependents
11 paid holidays and 2 personal holidays 
Accrue 12 vacation days and another 12 days of sick 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, pre-employment physical, and pre-employment tuberculosis test.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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Lead Gardener