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Groundskeeper- Zoo

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Groundskeeper- Zoo

Salary

$40,687.92 - $67,979.34 Annually

Location

Norfolk, VA

Job Type

Permanent Full-time

Job Number

13109

Department

Zoo

Opening Date

07/29/2025

Closing Date

8/10/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

The Virginia Zoological Park in Norfolk, Virginia is seeking to hire an experienced and professional Groundskeeper to maintain the appearance of the Zoo grounds. Work involves landscaping duties such as cutting grass, repairing damaged lawns, trees, and shrubs, and applying horticulture chemicals as well as securing areas for public safety in times of emergency.

Department Starting Hiring Salary: $40,688

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

+ Maintains the grounds;

+ Cleans and assists with landscaping by cleaning paths, mowing lawns, and trimming trees and shrubs;

+ Operates chippers, blowers, stump grinders, and other groundskeeping equipment;

+ Rakes leaves, sweeps & edges, prepares and plants flowerbeds, and seeds lawns;

+ Cares for plants;

+ Removes insects and litter from grounds and;

+ Secures areas for public safety by clearing paths, walkways, and removing ice and snow as needed.

Education/Experience

Work requires the ability to read and understand written instructions, to understand simple processes and the routine operation of machines. Level of knowledge equivalent to less than high school or equivalency.

Six (6) months of experience in greenhouse or landscaping or in a related field.

Preferred:

Two years of experience with horticulture or groundskeeping preferred.

Valid Driver's License: Class A or B Commercial Driver's License may be required depending upon area of assignment.

Registered Pesticide Technician (Category 60) required within six months of employment. CPR/First Aid Certification may be required depending upon area of assignment within six months of employment.

Additional Information & Requirements

Work location : Virginia Zoological Park, 3500 Granby Street, Norfolk 23504

Work hours: 40 hours a week worked over a 5-workday schedule; schedule may vary. Working weekends and holidays may be required.

Signing Bonus: This position is eligible for a one-time $5,000 signing bonus. The signing bonus will be paid in two (2) increments: $2,500 upon completion of 60 days of employment, and $2,500 upon completion of your probationary period. To receive the signing bonus, you must be an active employee in good standing.

+ Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.

+ Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.

+ Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.

+ Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

+ The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01

The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

+ I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

+ Less than High School Diploma/Equivalency

+ High School Diploma/GED

+ Some College (6 months or more)

+ Vocational/Technical Degree

+ Associate's Degree

+ Bachelor's Degree or higher

03

Do you have professional experience in the care and management of plants and foliage?

+ Yes

+ No

04

How many years of experience do you have working in greenhouse, horticulture, or landscaping positions?

+ I do not have any experience

+ Less than 6 months

+ 6 months to 1 year

+ 1 to 2 years

+ 2 to 4 years

+ More than 4 years

05

Briefly describe any skills and experience that you have that is related to the care and management of plants and foliage. If you do not have any experience, enter N/A

06

Do you have professional experience in groundskeeping?

+ Yes

+ No

07

How many years of experience do you have working in groundskeeping positions?

+ I do not have any experience

+ Less than 6 months

+ 6 months to 1 year

+ 1 to 2 years

+ 2 to 4 years

+ More than 4 years

08

Briefly describe your professional experience working in groundskeeping or grounds maintenance positions. If you do not have experience, enter N/A.

09

Do you have a valid driver's license?

+ Yes

+ No

10

Do you currently have a Class "A" Commercial Driver's License (CDL)?

+ Yes

+ No

11

Do you possess a current CPR/First Aid Certificate?

+ Yes

+ No

12

Do you currently have a Class "B" Commercial Driver's License (CDL)?

+ Yes

+ No

13

Do you possess a current certification as a Pesticide Registered Technician issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia?

+ Yes

+ No

14

Do you possess a current certification as a Commerical Pesticide Applicator issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia?

+ Yes

+ No

15

Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

+ I am not a Veteran

+ I am a Veteran

+ I am a Disabled Veteran

16

Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

+ Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee

+ Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee

+ No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

17

If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."

Required Question

Employer

City of Norfolk

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