At ZooTampa, our lush landscapes, shaded pathways, vibrant greenspaces, and naturalistic habitats help shape every guest’s experience and reflect our commitment to creating unforgettable natural connections. The Manager of Horticulture and Grounds plays a vital role in protecting, maintaining, and elevating the Zoo’s natural beauty while leading the team responsible for landscapes, plant health, exhibit plantings, irrigation systems, and daily grounds operations.
- Are you a hands-on horticulture leader who takes pride in creating outdoor spaces that are healthy, beautiful, sustainable, and guest-ready every day?
- Do you enjoy leading teams, solving operational challenges, and improving landscapes in a dynamic environment where no two days look exactly the same?
- Are you ready to use your horticulture, grounds, and leadership experience to help shape one of Tampa Bay’s most unique and naturally beautiful destinations?
If so, we invite you to apply for the Manager of Horticulture and Grounds position at ZooTampa and help us continue creating unforgettable natural connections for our guests, team members, and the animals in our care.
Position Summary
The Manager of Horticulture and Grounds leads all horticultural operations at ZooTampa, overseeing the maintenance, enhancement, and long-term sustainability of landscapes, botanical collections, exhibit plantings, irrigation systems, and grounds infrastructure.
Reporting to the Director of Facilities, this position collaborates with other departments to support ZooTampa's mission while maintaining high horticultural standards. The position also supports Asset Management and Preventive Maintenance programs through proactive planning and stewardship of horticultural infrastructure and equipment.
Who We Are
ZooTampa at Lowry Park is one of the most popular zoos in the southeastern U.S., with over 1.2 million visitors annually. We have grown to what now encompasses 56 acres of naturalistic animal exhibits in a lush, tropical garden setting. The Zoo, accredited by Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), offers popular educational programming, fun recreational amenities, up-close animal encounters and engaging seasonal events for which it has won awards as one of the country’s most family-friendly zoos.
Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and care for animals; create exceptional personalized experiences that connect people with wildlife and each other in fun, immersive ways.
Our vision is that everyone we touch is motivated to join us in taking action to protect and preserve wildlife.
Join us and become a part of creating unforgettable natural connections!
Your day to day
Functional Priorities
- Lead all horticultural operations, including landscape maintenance, arboriculture, irrigation, botanical collections, exhibit plantings, turf management, invasive species control, and seasonal displays.
- Responsible for operational readiness, safety, and coverage for daily operations, special events, holidays, weekends, and emergency weather events.
- Develop and implement plans that improve the appearance, sustainability, efficiency, and overall condition of Zoo grounds and horticultural systems.
- Establish standards for plant health care, pruning, fertilization, irrigation management, integrated pest management, and landscape renewal.
- Evaluate ground conditions and identify opportunities for beautification, infrastructure improvements, water conservation, and enhanced guest experience.
- Maintain overall responsibility for departmental staffing, scheduling, training, safety compliance, budget stewardship, procurement, and operational performance.
- Ensure horticultural assets, equipment, irrigation systems, and grounds infrastructure are maintained in a safe, functional, and aesthetically appropriate condition.
- Coordinate severe weather preparation and recovery efforts, including hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding, freeze events, irrigation failures, and storm cleanup. Respond to emergencies outside normal business hours as needed.
- Must maintain the ability and availability to respond to emergency call-outs and coordinate staff and resources as necessary to protect Zoo assets, grounds, operations, and guest safety.
- Ability to report to work or remain available during emergencies, including hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding, freeze events, and other incidents requiring departmental response.
- Promote continuous improvement through evaluation of work practices, resource utilization, equipment management, and maintenance processes.
- Utilize work order and asset management systems to document activities, prioritize work, support capital planning, and monitor asset performance.
- Procure horticultural materials, equipment, and contracted services in accordance with organizational policies, budgets, and operational standards.
- Maintain departmental budgets, purchasing records, inventory controls, invoices, purchase orders, and receiving documentation.
- Complete required managerial documentation, including timecards, scheduling records, onboarding paperwork, training records, performance evaluations, corrective actions, and injury or incident reports.
- Ensure compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, safety standards, and documentation procedures.
What are we looking for?
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent required; education in horticulture, landscape management, arboriculture, agriculture, environmental sciences, or a related field preferred.
- Three to five years of progressively responsible horticulture, landscape, grounds, or related operations experience, including at least two years in a supervisory or management role.
- Knowledge of horticultural practices, irrigation systems, grounds operations, and landscape maintenance principles.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and the ability to utilize work order, maintenance management, and asset management systems.
- Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and build effective working relationships.
- Conducts all activities in alignment with AZA standards and guidelines, applicable laws and regulations, safety standards, and practices that support animal welfare.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work outdoors in west-central Florida conditions, including prolonged exposure to heat, humidity, rain, cold, insects, and uneven terrain.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to safely navigate paved walkways, landscaped areas, animal habitats, construction zones, and uneven terrain.
- Ability to operate and communicate effectively using radios, telephones, computers, and other workplace technology.
- Ability to work in a variety of physical positions, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, climbing, and sitting for extended periods.
Our Perks at ZooTampa
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance options.
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with a 4% company match
- Generous PTO (Vacation and Wellness time)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Free admission to the Zoo, MOSI, Glazer Children's Museum and the Florida Aquarium
- Free or discounted admission to many attractions in Florida
- Discounted gym membership
- And so much more!
Equal Opportunity Employer & Drug-Free Workplace