Description

Join our team at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and grow your experience at one of the most unique sites in Calgary!  The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a permanent, full-time Horticulture Technician - Exterior to join our dedicated Horticulture team. This position is responsible for the maintenance of outdoor and indoor landscapes, herbaceous and woody ornamental's, grounds and gardens through all four seasons which includes snow removal and ice management.

Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.

Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.

What you will do:

• Maintains the gardens, grounds and habitats at the zoo as directed by the manager; duties include weeding, planting, dead heading, digging, raking, watering, light pruning and other garden maintenance tasks.
• Operates and maintains power equipment/mobile equipment such as trimmers, blowers, tractors and attachments.
• Uses and cares for hand and power tools.
• Identifies potential safety hazards.
• Performs integrated pest management (IPM)
• Answers public inquiries about plants and gardens and provides general zoo information.
• Works with garden volunteers on tasks assigned by the manager.
• Assists with greenhouse plant maintenance.
• Assists Habitats team with collection of browse material and disposal.
• Attends department meetings, training sessions and zoo functions as required.
• Provides occasional support for events hosted at the zoo.
• Collaborates with horticulture team (Botanical and Habitats) to provide snow removal and ice management. 
• Responsible for maintaining sand bins, pickle mix applications and clean-up.
• Assist with Zoolights set-up and take down.
• Work with seasonal employees in their daily tasks as directed by the manager.
• Additional training that may be required and provided by the Zoo including WHMIS, workforce orientation, zoonotic disease awareness, vehicle operator training, respiratory protection, pest control, lock out/tag out, hazard assessment & control, fire extinguisher use, skid steer Training, Code Adam, First Aid, ISA Certification, Pesticide Applicators Licensing, mobile elevated working platform, and Fall Protection.

What you will bring:       

• At least 3 year’s experience in landscaping or groundskeeping experience
• A High School Diploma is required
• Landscape Gardner Certificate is preferred
• Class 5 Driver’s License is required
• Equipment operation experience.
• Landscaping, grass cutting, planting, pruning experience.
• Power/non-powered hand tools experience.
• Plant identification experience.
• Safe work practices experience.
• Understands, follows instructions from, and communicate both written and verbal communication.
• Flexibility to perform tasks around busy event schedule and ability to navigate changing priorities
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment
• Makes and fulfills commitments independently, meeting reasonable deadlines and accepting responsibility for their actions.
• Willingness to answer visitor engagement inquiries.
• Flexibility to perform tasks around busy event schedule.

Working Conditions:      

• Exposure to uneven/slippery surfaces and all-weather conditions, including extreme cold weather and physical work in very hot weather.
• Noise and vibrations while operating equipment.
• Change in priorities, visitor engagement inquiries.
• Bending, squatting and kneeling.
• Lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to fumes.
• Walking to work sites on 125 acres site.
• Movement such as raking, shoveling and pruning.
• Pushing and pulling up to 10-40 lbs., unassisted.
• Awareness of safety of public, animals and coworkers
• Listens and understands tasks and public inquiries.
• Wear PPE as required

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues. 

What the Zoo Offers:

• Competitive compensation, vacation, and flex day entitlement
• Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
• Employer matching RRSP program
• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
• A complimentary annual pass for you and your immediate family members
• A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals 

Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.  

Apply by doing the following:  

1. Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)  
2. Submit your resume with an optional cover letter via our online application system.
3. Fill in the Application questions:
   • If hired, when would you be available to start?
   • If hired, what are your salary/wage expectations?
   • Please confirm if you have a Class 5 Driver’s License.
   • Briefly describe your experience working with equipment such as skid steers, power mowers, etc.  What have you used before and how many years of experience do you have?
   • Briefly describe your experience in landscaping and/or horticulture.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.  

If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by September 9, 2025 at 4pm MST.  

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.  

All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.