Horticulture Assistant - Natural Resources and Landscape

We are excited to expand our team with a passionate and dedicated Horticulture Assistant-Natural Resources and Landscapes who will support our mission of Cultivating Connections between People, Plants and Places. Pay will be $18.00 per hour. The schedule is generally Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-3:30PM, with some rotational weekends and overtime as needed. This is a temporary position as defined by the State of North Carolina and can work 11 out of 12 months each year

Horticulture Assistants work alongside the Arboretum's team of professional Horticulturist and are assigned / recruited for daily duty to one of Six (6) working Divisions to include Grounds Maintenance, Natural Resources / Landscapes, Formal Gardens, Formal Garden & Nursery, Greenhouse Production and Native Azalea Curation & Conservation.

All Horticulture Assistants participate in group or individual tasks outside of daily work assignments as directed to benefit the greater Horticulture Department or Institution as a whole. Examples of such task would be, but not limited to, Seasonal Landscape Display Installation, Brush Chipping, Sod Installation, Exhibit Installation, Painting, Landscape Installation and Construction, Event Support, etc. These are predominantly hands-on positions working in all weather conditions performing Horticulture Activities Campus Wide. Task can require standing for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting, lifting, the ability to work on slick or uneven surfaces and the ability to climb ladders and work at heights.

This position reports for daily supervision to the Natural Landscape Crew Leader. The primary focus of this position is all aspects of landscape maintenance to include planting, watering, mulching, weed removal, string trimming, leaf and litter removal, brush chipping, pruning, trail maintenance, invasive exotic plant control, snow removal, equipment operation, landscape construction and carpentry.

Physical Requirements:
The incumbent must be able to move a workload of 50 pounds of force occasionally. Typical activities include moving plants, trees and shrubs, lifting bags of soil, additives and mulch, mixing fertilizers, using ladders to place decorations, pulling water hoses, digging and planting with at least 60 percent of total work time involving some kind of physical activity. The Assistant will be exposed to much direct sunlight, heat and humidity, 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 is commonplace. This role requires highly physical, finite visual attention skills, a high level of mental concentration and manipulation.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
High School Diploma or equivalent. Prior public garden or commercial horticulture experience.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
Tree work (chainsaw Operation, Commercial Landscaping (Maintenance or Installation) Plant Identification Skills.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit
By promoting the stewardship and enjoyment of the wealth of plant life within the South Appalachians through world-renowned gardens demonstrating cultivated and natural landscapes. Horticulture support activities include installation, maintenance and care of all gardens, landscape, turf, grounds and trails, the production within the greenhouse and nursery areas, and all other horticulture aspects relating to the use of the property. The specific program areas responsible for executing these activities are: Production, Plant Records, Azalea and Bonsai Curation and Natural Resources / Landscape, Grounds and Gardens.

• Classification: Horticulture Assistant - Natural Resources and Landscape
• Position Number: UNCSO-ATNCA5
• Employment Type: Hourly
• Appointment Type: Temporary
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Part-Time
• Recruitment Salary Range:
• Location: 100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 USA
• Posting Open Date: 7/18/2025
• Posting Close Date: 7/28/2025
• Posting Number: req606

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 shall submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with a State Application for Employment (Form PD-107 or equivalent) to the appointing authority.

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.

EEO Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: ophiring@northcarolina.edu