Assistant Twra Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department: Horticulture & Grounds                                            Date Updated: May 2026

Reports To: Director of Horticulture& Grounds                          Supervises: N/A

Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt                                                    Pay Rate: $17.00/hour

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Under supervision, the Landscaper will work with the Director of Horticulture & Grounds along with Zoo staff to accomplish the care, maintenance and enhancement of the landscapes and gardens. The position also includes some refuse management and participation in volunteer workdays, events, and programs within the Horticulture and Grounds Department. The person in this position has the task of maintaining and improving the daily appearance of Knoxville Zoo grounds and gardens. This individual must keep the Director of Horticulture & Grounds informed of activities, accomplishments, project status, and requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As a team member, exemplify Zoo Knoxville core values through interactions with guests, volunteers, and fellow team members.
• Follow and perform the assigned routinely scheduled (daily and long-range) operations and activities of the Horticulture and Grounds Department. These include regular grounds maintenance, garden installation and maintenance, and greenhouse / nursery operations. These may involve, but are not limited to, tasks such as mowing, mulching, planting, transplanting, fertilizing, weeding, chemical applications, pruning, trimming, cutting, litter pickup, leaf removal, snow removal, and maintaining the cleanliness of all pathways and paved surfaces.
• General proficiency in the safe operation of grounds equipment to include, but not limited to, trucks, carts, chain saws, ladders, fertilizing equipment, mowers, trimmers, blowers, sweepers, augers, shovels, brooms, axes, picks, power hand tools (drills, saws, etc.) and other types of horticulture and grounds maintenance tools and equipment. Applicants should also have the ability to learn minor proficiency in the safe operation of equipment to include, but not limited to, backhoe, skid-steer loader, tractors, and forklift.
• Maintaining the quality, appearance, cleanliness, safety, functionality and usability of the grounds within the park and leading to the park on a continual basis and in a timely, efficient, economical and organized manner. This includes all public, animal, and support areas.
• Maintaining the quality of all Zoo property and resources including non-public areas and off-exhibit areas that are held in reserve for future use.
• Ability to work as part of a team to accomplish shared goals as well as the ability to plan and execute tasks in an assigned area of responsibility.
• Assist in the completion of timely, efficient, economical, and organized removal of all waste, salvage, and recyclable materials from the park.
• Assist in the installation, set-up, and removal of special / temporary exhibits, special events, or other event related operations.
• Follow all procedures and guidelines regarding safety of personnel.
• Complete daily reports of activities, material / equipment use, and time management.
• Work with other Zoo departments and follow internal guidelines to provide a positive and educational experience for visitors.
• Demonstrate continued interest in and knowledge of advancements in the horticultural / botanical / landscaping field.
• Adherence to any policies set forth by Knoxville Zoo or the Horticulture and Grounds Department to comply with all governmental or other regulatory agencies, including, but not limited to national, state, and local codes, as well as ADA standards, AZA standards, USDA (Animal and Plant Regulations), TWRA, OSHA, MOSH, EPA, DOT, etc.
• This position will require hands-on involvement. The individual assuming these responsibilities will be aware of the potential health and injury risks inherent with the operations of tools, machinery, vehicles, chemical use, and heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds) as well as working around potentially dangerous animals and toxic plants.
• This individual will always present a professional and neat appearance. The attire will be the standard Knoxville Zoo uniform. A nametag will be worn at all times when representing this position.
• Perform other duties and tasks as requested or required by the Director of Horticulture & Grounds, Deputy, or Executive Directors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be at least 21 years old

• Must possess a valid state issued driver license

• Experience in the field of horticulture, grounds maintenance, landscape installation and maintenance, interior plant maintenance, and / or greenhouse operations is preferred.

• An understanding of safety practices and procedures.

• Must be able to safely operate several types of maintenance related hand tools, power tools, and light equipment.
• Must be able to interact with employees / volunteers in a positive, constructive, and professional manner consistent with established Horticulture and Grounds Department as well as Knoxville Zoo policies and procedures.
• The ability to demonstrate and impart to colleagues, outside service personnel, and/or contractors that cooperation and teamwork is a necessity.
• Individual should be organized, efficient, accurate, self-motivated, and neat.

 

• He/she should also have legible handwriting, good communication skills in English (both oral and written), including, but not limited to, having good listening skills, good oral and written comprehension, and having good speech clarity and recognition when dealing with others and while communicating on phone, two-way radio, or other forms of communication devices.
• He/she should possess the ability to react quickly, effectively, and logically in high stress and/or emergency situations and to follow instructions as given.
• The individual in this position should have a minimum of one years' experience in a grounds maintenance field and a high school diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Prior experience at an established AZA accredited zoological environment preferred

Don't meet every requirement? At Zoo Knoxville we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

As an employee of Zoo Knoxville, you must possess English communication skills as well as the ability to communicate using a 2-way radio, email, and telephone.  The position hours vary depending on business needs and will require weekend and some holiday shifts. Depending on the specific tasks, this position will be required to work within close proximity of exotic and domestic animals and must be aware that there are dangers inherent in working under those conditions. Zoo Knoxville is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace and as such each employee must pass a pre-employment drug screen. 

This is a hands-on position and the individual must be physically capable of safely operating the variety of tools and equipment listed above and accomplishing the duties and responsibilities as outlined above. The individual must be able to tolerate extremes in outdoor temperatures and weather conditions. This position may require heavy lifting and moving (up to and possibly in excess of 100 pounds) repeatedly, and be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force periodically. The individual must be able to work while bending, crouching, kneeling, or balancing for extended periods of time, and should be able to crawl, push, pull, climb, while maneuvering tools and supplies, and be able to remain on feet for extensive periods. The individual assuming these responsibilities will be aware of health and injury risks inherent with traversing to/from and working at elevated heights, below ground level, in confined spaces and with the operations of machinery, various hand and power tools, vehicles, chemical use, etc., all while working around potentially dangerous animals and their environments, in potentially dangerous situations, or in possibly life threatening locations and conditions, as well as in public environments. The individual must have the ability to provide flexible working hours when necessary and may have to work early morning, late evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays. This position is considered essential personnel and must report to work as usual, even when the Zoo is closed due to extreme weather conditions.