Zoo Project Manager Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Position: Horticulture Manager

Reports To: Director of Zoological Operations

Salary starting at: $58,000/year

Why Utah?

Utah is home to five national parks, world-class skiing and snowboarding, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and stunning deserts, mountains, and lakes, all within easy driving distance. Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life. The Salt Lake Valley consistently ranks high for safety, clean communities, short commute times, and family-friendly amenities. Draper offers a balance of suburban comfort and urban access, with downtown Salt Lake City just 15 minutes away. Enjoy all four seasons without extremes—sunny summers, colorful falls, snowy winters, and mild springs, perfect for both outdoor recreation and city living. Utah’s communities are known for being engaged, supportive, and service-oriented, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home.

About Loveland Living Planet Aquarium:

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA) is a mission-driven institution dedicated to inspiring people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Founded in 1997, the Aquarium provides impactful educational experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds.

Since opening its Draper, Utah facility in 2014, LLPA has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and delivered over 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium features immersive habitats from around the world, including coral reefs, kelp forests, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, tropical rainforests, Asian cloud forests, and Utah’s freshwater ecosystems.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019, LLPA is in an exciting phase of growth. With the opening of the Sam and Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center, the Aquarium became the largest in the Mountain West and the fifth largest aquarium in the continental United States, offering expanded opportunities for education, research, and professional impact.

Position Summary:

The Horticulture Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for all botanical activities at the Aquarium. This includes overseeing the design, development, and daily care of the living plant collection and landscaped grounds. The role involves managing the horticulture team, ensuring high standards of plant health and exhibit quality, and developing programs focused on conservation and sustainability to enhance the guest experience, all while adhering to AZA standards.

Come work alongside a dedicated team of aquarists, life support specialists, divers, and other animal care professionals in a collaborative environment focused on innovation, animal wellness, and environmental stewardship.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinates and prioritizes the team's daily goals and objectives.
• Support all aspects of team Core Job responsibilities through scheduling, management, team development, and direct participation.
• Serve as institutional subject-matter expert for consulting, project and content development, and maintaining horticulture-relevant certifications and permits.
• Liaison between other departments and 3rd-party contractors to ensure core responsibilities are met.
• Serve as a resource for development of new skills, processes, and professional growth by staff.
• Lead by example in demonstrating skills for staff advancement - Communication, Culture, Efficiency, Growth, Mentorship, and Project Management
• Responsible for supporting and updating institutional and best practice standards. Responsible for developing strategic plans for plant care, yield, and sustainability.
• Reviews, one-on-ones, disciplinary action, team administrative duties (timecards, budget, project management)
• Ensures all equipment, supplies, and support spaces are clean and well-maintained
• Ensures all gardens, planters, planted habitats, trees and grounds are curated and well-maintained
• Planted areas are well-maintained to support plant health
• Oversees team record-keeping is thorough and up to date

Experience and Qualifications:

• Two or four-year degree in horticulture or biological sciences. Candidates with a suitable combined equivalent of education and hands-on experience will be considered.
• Minimum 2-5 years of supervisory experience in horticulture, landscaping, or botanical gardens preferred
• Minimum 5 years of paid experience in the field of horticulture.
• Experience or certification in arborist practices preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working in the Western United States with arid and desert plant ecology and landscapes.

Critical Competencies:

• Good interpersonal verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Maintaining a consistent professional attitude, high motivation, and ability to accept feedback.
• Interest in developing efficiency, good time management, and demonstrated desire for growth.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

• Valid Utah driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire.
• Must possess current, negative TB test results or obtain prior to start date.
• Utah pesticide applicator’s License a plus or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

• Outdoor and indoor environments in varying weather conditions including: elevated surfaces, hot, cold, and high humidity conditions, animal habitats, uneven surfaces, enclosed spaces, noisy workspaces.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs, ability to swim, ability to stand for long periods of time, ability to walk up and down ladders, ability to work with various cleaning chemicals, ability to operate power tools or heavy machinery, ability to drive aquarium vehicles.

The Living Planet Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or military status. The Living Planet Aquarium is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process. Should you require accommodations, please contact accommodation@livingplanetaquarium.org.