Horticulturist
About The Position
The North Carolina Zoo is hiring multiple Horticulturists for its Asia, Africa, and North America teams. Horticulturists maintain and enhance plant collections and landscapes that support animal habitats, visitor experiences, and conservation goals. The work advances public awareness of the importance of plants and helps create living pictures of wild places that respectfully represent animal habitats. The position involves outdoor landscape maintenance and construction, operation and inspection of landscaping equipment, plant research and record keeping, and interaction with Zoo guests. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an unpaid one-hour lunch. Team members work rotating weekends and holidays on average once every two months, may be called in for special events, and are required to work during adverse weather events. The position is designated Essential/Mandatory and requires participation in the Zoo's occupational health program because of contact with animal containment areas. The role is based at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina. A job offer is contingent on passing a pre-employment screen. A $1,000 sign-on bonus is available to eligible candidates, contingent on funding and final eligibility determination.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED and two years of progressive horticultural work experience; or an associate degree in agriculture and natural resources, greenhouse and grounds maintenance, horticulture technology, landscape gardening, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Must have a valid U.S.-issued driver's license or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
- Must be able to lift 30–50 pounds of aggregate material to a height of 18 inches and transport it laterally 4.5 feet on a frequent basis.
- Must be able to perform job physical demands for extended and irregular periods under adverse conditions and in all extremes of weather.
- Experience with computers for research, data entry, and/or record keeping.
- Must be a team player and maintain effective work relationships.
- May require a North Carolina Commercial Driver's License.
- Must work rotating weekends and holidays throughout the year, on average once every two months for each team member.
- Must be available to work adverse weather events and may be called to work special events.
Nice To Haves
- A valid North Carolina Pesticide Applicator’s license.
- Thorough working knowledge of plant maintenance procedures and horticultural practices used in landscape installation and grounds maintenance.
- Plant knowledge and experience in integrated pest and weed management.
- Experience with landscaping equipment such as string trimmers, blowers, tractors, front-end loaders, skid-steers, or related equipment.
- Experience with irrigation installation, maintenance, and repairs.
Responsibilities
- Perform daily landscape maintenance, including leaf-blowing, weeding, mulching, pruning, fertilizing, watering, and pesticide applications.
- Construct and design landscapes.
- Operate landscape equipment and conduct daily maintenance inspections.
- Comply with safety, environmental, and Zoo Standard Operating Procedures.
- Interact with Zoo guests, answer questions, and provide information.
- Develop thorough knowledge of the Zoo's plant collection.
- Use computers for plant research, data entry, and record keeping.
- Work during adverse weather events and may be called in for special events.
- Participate in the Zoo's occupational health program due to contact with animal containment areas.
Benefits
- $1,000 sign-on bonus for eligible candidates, contingent on funding availability and final eligibility determination.
- Eligible state employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
- Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
