HORTICULTURIST

Duke Careers • Durham, NC

5d

About The Position

Supervise and participate in the installation, maintenance, interpretation and documentation of a variety of botanical specimens for teaching, research and ornamental purposes at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University, including the planning and development of horticultural displays, procedures and methods.

Procure, install and maintain plants including trees, shrubs, herbaceous plantings and a variety of botanical specimens in greenhouses, nurseries, formal and informal garden areas to include preparation of soil, planting, watering, fertilizing, and pruning.

Identify plant pests and diseases and make suggestions for their treatment. Must be familiar with Integrated Pest Management.

Must be familiar with calibrating application equipment.

Have a working knowledge of plant nutrition, plant physiology, and basic soil chemistry.
Identify, document, and accurately label plants in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

Safely operate and maintain a variety of mechanical equipment to include trucks, tractors and specialized garden tools and a variety of handheld power tools required to maintain botanical specimens.

Must be familiar with all necessary PPE.

Conduct regular and special tours; give instruction in areas of specialized garden interest.

Maintain supply inventories and operational records.

Make work assignments; supervise and review the work of lower rated employees, students and volunteers; train new personnel.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Requirements

• Work requires knowledge of plant materials and care generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program in horticulture, agronomy, botany or a related field.
• Work generally requires two years of experience in horticulture or a related field.
• Possess North Carolina's driver’s license or equivalent
• Must be able to obtain North Carolina Pesticide License
• Must be able to lift 50lbs

Nice To Haves

• Public garden or estate landscape maintenance experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and participate in the installation, maintenance, interpretation and documentation of a variety of botanical specimens for teaching, research and ornamental purposes at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University, including the planning and development of horticultural displays, procedures and methods.
• Procure, install and maintain plants including trees, shrubs, herbaceous plantings and a variety of botanical specimens in greenhouses, nurseries, formal and informal garden areas to include preparation of soil, planting, watering, fertilizing, and pruning.
• Identify plant pests and diseases and make suggestions for their treatment.
• Must be familiar with Integrated Pest Management.
• Must be familiar with calibrating application equipment.
• Have a working knowledge of plant nutrition, plant physiology, and basic soil chemistry.
• Identify, document, and accurately label plants in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
• Safely operate and maintain a variety of mechanical equipment to include trucks, tractors and specialized garden tools and a variety of handheld power tools required to maintain botanical specimens.
• Must be familiar with all necessary PPE.
• Conduct regular and special tours; give instruction in areas of specialized garden interest.
• Maintain supply inventories and operational records.
• Make work assignments; supervise and review the work of lower rated employees, students and volunteers; train new personnel.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Benefits

• Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family- friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees