Horticulturalist

DISCOVERY PLACE INC • Charlotte, NC

11d • Onsite

About The Position

At Discovery Place, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we fuel your passion for science and the natural world by delivering awe-inspiring exhibits and educational programs. Our immersive experiences captivate, challenge, and empower audiences of all ages, sparking a spirit of discovery and lifelong learning. We hope to forge a future where science catalyzes, creating boundless opportunities, fostering hope, solving complex problems and driving positive change across the globe. We’re looking for driven, talented individuals who share our passion for making an impact and having fun while doing it. ABOUT DISCOVERY PLACE Discovery Place brings science, nature, and design together to create transformative experiences that enable our community to understand, enjoy, and apply science to their lives. Through multiple museums, in-school programs, and community outreach initiatives, Discovery Place serves more than 700,000 people annually across the Carolinas. Founded in 1946, Discovery Place is shaping a future where people embrace science to create opportunities, build hope, solve problems, and bring positive change for our world. POSITION SUMMARY The Horticulturalist supports the care, maintenance, and development of living plant collections and natural landscapes throughout Discovery Place Inc.’s (DPI) growing list of locations. This role ensures that indoor and outdoor areas – including forested environments, trails, habitat zones, and exhibit landscapes – are maintained to high horticultural and aesthetic standards, while supporting safe public access and mission-driven programming. Working under the leadership of the Sr. Director of Collections (SDC), the Horticulturalist contributes to both day-to-day operations and long-term stewardship of DPI’s natural assets, helping translate ecological and environmental integrity into engaging visitor experiences. The scope of this role will evolve over time, with an initial focus on site readiness, plant establishment, and foundational landscape care, and expanding to full operations and exhibit support as CMN approaches opening. Under the guidance of the SDC, this position will closely coordinate with other departments, community partners, and relevant contractors/subcontractors to ensure that environmental impacts are synchronized with all stakeholders. Most notably, our Facilities team will be a regular partner for the Horticulturalist role.

Requirements

• 1–3 years of experience in horticulture, landscaping, arboriculture, or related field.
• Familiarity with native plants and southeastern U.S. growing conditions.
• Working knowledge of plant care, pest management, basic arboriculture principles, basic landscaping principles, and comprehensive environmental sustainability practices within the horticultural field.
• Strong attention to detail and pride in maintaining high-quality planted environments.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Interest in Discovery Place’s mission and using nature to support learning
• Ability to lift up to 60 lbs and perform physical labor including bending, lifting, and carrying.
• Ability to operate basic landscaping tools and equipment.
• Ability to lawfully drive a company vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with public gardens, parks, or museum environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain planted areas, gardens, forest edges, and exhibit landscapes, including planting, pruning, mulching, watering, and soil management.
• Monitor plant health and implement appropriate treatments for pests, disease, and environmental stressors.
• Manage invasive species and support ecological balance across the sites.
• Support seasonal planting and landscape enhancements aligned with exhibit and program needs.
• Assist in the care of trees and plant systems across the DPI sites, including coordination with certified arborists as needed.
• Support implementation of tree protection, planting, and restoration practices consistent with project and environmental standards.
• Maintain records related to plant care, plant inventories, and maintenance schedules.
• Participate in long-term landscape planning and habitat development.
• Assisting the SDC to establish, maintain, and plan for future collections of living and non-living plant species, specimens, and artifacts.
• Participate in plant-related conservation and research initiatives as directed by the SDC.
• Stay informed about current events, techniques, and innovations within the horticultural field.
• Ensure planted spaces are safe, clean, and accessible for staff and visitors.
• Support coordination with facilities and operations teams to maintain trails, grounds, and public-facing spaces.
• Operate and maintain horticulture tools and equipment safely and effectively
• Assist with setup and maintenance of outdoor exhibits and program areas.
• Collaborate with education and exhibit teams to support programs using outdoor environments, indoor planted exhibits, and laboratory applications that involve plants.
• Provide basic interpretation or support for public-facing activities as needed.
• Contribute to creating visually engaging and mission-aligned outdoor spaces.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall success of the DPI sites.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED