019144- Horticulture Specialist, Formal Gardens

The North Carolina Arboretum (TNCA) is a cherished community space that thrives on collaboration, education, and the beauty of nature. We are dedicated to cultivating a serene environment where visitors can connect with the natural world, and we strive to make our gardens accessible and enjoyable for all. Join us in our mission to nurture both plants and community spirit.

The primary purpose of the Horticulture Specialist, Formal Gardens position consists of the installation and maintenance of intensely planted horticultural demonstration areas through the 424+ acres of The North Carolina Arboretum property. Reporting to the Garden Crew Leader, this position is responsible for the many duties required for maintaining the beauty and health and developing the educational aspects of the Arboretum's Landscapes. The Gardner is responsible for the maintenance of and the safety within the Arboretum's educational Core Garden Areas. Within these garden areas, this position will be responsible for its care and continued development. Garden maintenance including preserving the beauty, health and safety of the gardens will be paramount as will integrated pest management, education and plant records. The goal of this position is to not only maintain a healthy and beautiful garden display, but also to develop and interpret the garden in such a way as to provide an educational opportunity for the visiting public.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required in this Position:
Knowledge: Technical:
To be successful, this position must possess considerable knowledge of the horticulture principles and practices applicable to the maintenance and upkeep of gardens. This should include extensive knowledge of soil and plant health, identification and maintenance of ground covers, bulbs, annuals, perennials and trees and shrub. Working knowledge of the principles and methods of garden construction and maintenance. The ability to operate large and small equipment is necessary.

Communication:
Excellent written and verbal skills to communicate with staff, volunteers and visiting public in a professional manner This includes the ability to interpret the Arboretum mission, plant displays and horticulture techniques to the general public.

Professional:
The incumbent must be able to use judgment and initiative while working independently to complete work assignments with a minimum of supervision. This role must also be capable of maintaining professional working relationships with crew members and volunteers to promote a positive environment for the general public. Participation in symposia, providing assistance with guided and self-guided garden tours is required.

Physical Environment and Abilities:
The incumbent must be able to move a workload of 50 pounds occasionally. Typical activities include moving plants, shrubs, and trees, lifting bags of soil, moving large quantities of mulch, wood chips, using ladders and high tree work, pulling water hoses, digging and planting with at least 50 percent of total work time involving some kind of physical activity. The Gardener will be exposed often to direct sunlight, heat and humidity, and cold temperatures, machinery can make it a noisy environment and this role spends a significant amount of time standing on hard and/or uneven surfaces. Lifting, climbing ladders, squatting, twisting, using sprayers, walking on a variety of surfaces, digging, planting and exposure to the elements are commonplace. This role requires highly physical, finite visual attention skills, a high level of mental concentration and manipulation.

About the Team

The primary purpose of the Horticulture Department is to support the North Carolina Arboretum's mission. This includes essential support in our garden and landscape areas. This work includes maintaining and caring for all the gardens, landscape, turf, grounds, and trails, producing within the greenhouse and nursery areas, and all other horticultural aspects relating to the use of the property.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
Graduation from a two-year technical college with a degree in horticulture, landscape, gardening or closely related field and one year in landscape maintenance; Or, graduation from high school and three years in horticultural work, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Graduation from a four-year horticultural program will be considered as a substitute for the experience requirements.
The successful applicant will display significant knowledge of gardening and grounds-keeping principles, of the operation of grounds equipment, and of horticultural practices such as cultivation, plant health care, deadheading, pruning, watering and fertilization of a wide variety of herbaceous and woody plants; and will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively. Additional preferred qualifications include: demonstrated knowledge of regional plant material, public garden experience, holding a public pesticide applicator's license, and/or ability and experience in heavy landscape construction.

• Classification: Horicultural Specialist
• Position Competency Level:
• Position Number: UNCSO-A019144
• Employment Type: SHRA
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Recruitment Salary Range: 33000-37500
• Salary Grade Equivalent:
• Location: 100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 USA
• Posting Open Date: 1/10/2025
• Posting Close Date: 2/4/2025

EEO
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To claim veteran's preference, all eligible persons must indicate their eligibility as requested on the application. A DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, may be required later in the selection process.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Human Resources Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: recruiter@northcarolina.edu.