Landscape Supervisor

Birmingham Zoo Inc. (BZI) is a nonprofit, Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited Zoo and regional tourist attraction serving the greater Birmingham community and beyond. We advance wildlife conservation through responsible animal care, education, and local and global conservation efforts in support of our mission, Inspiring Passion to Conserve the Natural World.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Landscape Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the Zoo's landscaping program, including supervising staff, coordinating landscape maintenance and improvement projects, and ensuring the grounds are safe, attractive, and well maintained. This role contributes to an engaging guest experience through responsible stewardship of the Zoo's outdoor environment and effective management of landscaping operations.

All employees serve as ambassadors of the Zoo and are expected to act in a professional manner consistent with the Zoo’s mission and its core values of Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Stewardship, and Inclusion. This expectation applies when interacting with the public or when reasonably perceived as representing the organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervises and works alongside landscape staff, coordinating daily work assignments, providing training, guidance, and performance support, and fostering a collaborative, safe, and inclusive work environment.
• Performs and oversees landscape maintenance, installation, and improvement projects; operates and maintains landscaping equipment; and applies expertise in turf, ornamental plant care, and grounds management to maintain safe, attractive, and functional Zoo grounds.
• Collaborates with the Maintenance Manager to plan, prioritize, and implement short- and long-term landscape projects; monitors work quality and progress; and communicates operational needs and project updates.
• Conducts routine inspections of Zoo grounds, identifies and resolves landscape, equipment, and plant health concerns, and partners with Animal Health and other departments to ensure landscaping practices support animal safety, guest experience, and organizational standards.
• Adheres to all organizational policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and applicable departmental guidelines.
• This job description reflects the general nature of the work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties. This position may be assigned additional duties reasonably related to the employee’s primary responsibilities and organizational needs, provided such duties are within the employee’s training, experience, and safety requirements and do not materially change the nature of the position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

For purposes of this job description, “staff” may include employees, volunteers, interns, and other assigned personnel.

• No direct supervisory responsibility for staff.
• Provides functional leadership through training, guidance, and reinforcement of established protocols to support consistency in daily operations.
• Serves as a resource and point of contact for staff, supporting adherence to operational, safety, and Organizational standards.

SAFETY ANALYSIS

• This position involves exposure to hazards common to outdoor and operational Zoo environments, including weather conditions, equipment, and other environmental factors.
• Specific training and procedures will be provided to maintain safety of people as the highest priority, followed by the safety of the animal collection.
• Use and understanding of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required based on assigned tasks and work conditions.
• Employees are required to follow all Zoo safety policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Emergency Procedure Manual and to promptly report injuries, incidents, or safety concerns through established reporting channels.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, and move for extended periods in outdoor and operational environments.
• Ability to use hands, fingers, and tools or equipment required for assigned tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including exchanging information with others.
• Ability to routinely move, lift, or carry items up to 50 pounds or more, depending on assigned duties.
• Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including exposure to weather, humidity, temperature changes, and wet or uneven surfaces.