Botanical Garden Administrator

State of North Carolina • Randolph, NC

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The North Carolina Zoo is seeking an experienced Horticulturist to serve as Botanical Garden Administrator in its Horticulture department. The role maintains and enhances plant collections and landscapes that support animal habitats, visitor experiences, and conservation goals. It leads specimen labeling, plant-record accession, website content development, and garden-map updates. The work supports public awareness of the importance of plants and their role in nature, as well as the creation of living representations of wild places and animal habitats.

The position develops botanical-garden protocols and operational procedures; curates plant collections and associated records; supervises staff, students, interns, and volunteers; and supports the plant collection website and accreditation documentation. It is based at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with rotating weekends and holidays on average once every two months. The role is designated Essential/Mandatory and may require work during adverse weather and special events.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, or a science curriculum related to the area of expertise from an appropriately accredited institution, and two years of experience in the specialty area; alternatively, a master's degree in a natural science area may substitute for experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid driver's license issued in the United States, or ability to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
• Ability to work rotating weekends and holidays throughout the year, on average once every two months.
• Ability to work during adverse weather events and potentially special events.
• Ability to participate in the Zoo's occupational health program.
• Ability to perform physical demands for extended and irregular periods under adverse conditions and in all extremes of weather.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds frequently.
• Willingness to be a team player and maintain effective work relationships.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment screen conducted by the assigned provider.

Nice To Haves

• Thorough knowledge of plant identification and botanical nomenclature.
• Work experience with an arboretum, botanical garden, zoo, conservatory, or plant-focused institution.
• Knowledge and experience in specimen collection curation, preferably involving plants.
• Experience presenting informational lectures on science-related topics, providing tours, or publishing articles or other public-directed media.
• Experience with GIS mapping, database management, and specimen labeling.

Responsibilities

• Develop protocols and operational procedures for the botanical garden.
• Collect and preserve plants, accession specimens into the collection, identify plants taxonomically, and maintain the database.
• Participate in preparing and submitting proposals for external funding and future garden or plant collections.
• Supervise staff, students, interns, and volunteers.
• Assist with uploading the plant collection to the Zoo website.
• Review and update the plant collection database under the direction of the Hort Curator Manager and Interior Horticulture Curator.
• Record progress and documentation for the five-year BGCI accreditation review.
• Comply with safety, environmental, and Zoo Standard Operating Procedures.

Benefits

• Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care.
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for employees with student loans.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level