Position Title: Groundskeeper
Department: Facilities
Supervisor: Grounds Manager
Nashville Zoo Mission:
Nashville Zoo is dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership. With a diverse collection of animals and a commitment to wildlife preservation, we provide engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.
Why Work with Us:
At the Nashville Zoo, we believe in taking care of our team just as well as we care for our animals. Full-time employees enjoy a robust benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and future:
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage – including medical, dental, and vision plans to keep you and your family healthy.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential support services for mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching – helping you build a secure future while you make a meaningful impact today.
- Generous paid time off and sick leave – because rest and recovery are vital.
- Exclusive zoo perks – enjoy discounts on park experiences, retail, and food services, plus complimentary membership benefits.
- A collaborative and inclusive culture – be part of a diverse team where your voice matters, your growth is nurtured, and collaboration thrives across all departments.
- AZA-accredited facility – Nashville Zoo is committed to top-tier animal care, ethics and global conservation efforts.
Description:
The Groundskeeper plays a vital role in creating a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for guests. Responsibilities include maintaining the zoo’s outdoor spaces—including walkways, viewing areas, signage, and landscaping—ensuring they are always pristine and visitor-ready. This role also supports the zoo’s special events by helping prepare and maintain event spaces, contributing to a positive and memorable guest experience.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Demonstrate a daily commitment to Nashville Zoo’s mission and values.
- Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
- Conducts Daily Grounds Inspections: Follows established checklists to identify safety hazards, cleanliness issues, or maintenance needs; promptly reports concerns to supervisory staff.
- Maintains Public Areas: Keeps walkways, viewing windows, signage, and outdoor guest spaces clean, clear of debris, and visually appealing throughout the day.
- Supports Special Events: Assists with setup and breakdown of event infrastructure including props, tents, signage, and crowd control barriers; ensures tasks are completed efficiently and meet event standards.
- Restocks Outdoor Supplies: Monitors and replenishes items such as waste bags, hand sanitizer stations, and guest-use materials in assigned zones.
- Provides Guest Assistance: Offers directional support and helps guests locate parking or navigate zoo grounds when needed, contributing to a positive visitor experience.
- Collaborates Across Departments: Assists with operational tasks such as unloading supplies (e.g., hay, feed), relocating furniture or equipment, and supporting custodial efforts in buildings and animal areas.
- Monitors Landscaping Needs: Helps maintain lawns, gardens, and plant beds by removing litter, reporting irrigation issues, and supporting seasonal planting or mulching efforts.
- Supports Animal Welfare Indirectly: Ensures that animal viewing areas remain clean and unobstructed, contributing to a safe and enriching environment for both animals and guests.
- Other duties, as assigned.
Skills:
- Self-Motivation & Safety Awareness: Demonstrates initiative in completing tasks independently while prioritizing safety and maintaining high productivity standards.
- Professional Communication: Interacts courteously and effectively with guests, colleagues, and supervisors to support a positive zoo experience.
- Organizational Efficiency: Executes daily responsibilities in a structured, timely, and detail-oriented manner, even in dynamic outdoor environments.
- Equipment Operation & Safety: Proficient in the safe and effective use of a range of equipment—including hand tools, power tools, and light to heavy-duty machinery—required for groundskeeping and event support.
- Landscape & Grounds Maintenance Expertise: Skilled in maintaining lawns, gardens, pathways, and public areas through mowing, trimming, planting, and seasonal upkeep.
- Tool Stewardship: Uses assigned tools and equipment responsibly, ensuring proper care, storage, and routine maintenance to extend usability and performance.
Education/ Experience:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Minimum High School diploma or GED equivalent is required.
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
Physical Responsibilities:
- Must be able to learn and remember tasks and processes, maintain focus and complete tasks independently.
- Responsible for making timely decisions in the context of a workflow and be able to professionally communicate with staff and guests.
- Must have the ability to complete tasks with speed in situations that ensure safety of staff, animals and guests.
- Required to remain alert and engaged while working. Also required to operate equipment and vehicles in a safe manner.
- This role involves working both indoors in temperature-controlled settings and outdoors year-round in typical Tennessee weather, including heat, cold, rain, and humidity.
- Must be comfortable navigating uneven terrain and working in environments with exposure to dust, allergens, and changing weather conditions.
- Requires the ability to safely move across slippery surfaces, operate in confined or tight spaces, and handle hazardous or toxic materials following safety protocols.
- Regular lifting and carrying of materials up to 25 pounds is required.
Work Schedule:
- Work schedule may include early or late start/end times and working weekends and holidays as required to meet the zoo’s operating needs.
- Full-time position, averaging 40 hours per week.
- Flexibility: Position may require flexibility in working hours to accommodate special events, emergencies, or animal care needs.
Pre-employment requirements:
- Nashville Zoo is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and maintains a drug-free work environment. All employment is at-will.
- All candidates are required to successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screening prior to hire.
- Pre-employment and annual tuberculosis (TB) screenings are a condition of continued employment.
