(Temporary) Horticulture Assistant - Greenhouse

If you're passionate about plants and eager to be a part of a thriving horticultural community, we're looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Horticulture Assistant in our greenhouse to join us in cultivating success.

Horticulture Assistants are temporary positions that can work  up to 11 months in duration throughout the North Carolina Arboretum’s Horticulture Department, but this role will also specialize in greenhouse production. Horticulture Assistants generally work 40 hours a week, Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. although some  rotational weekends and overtime may be assigned. The hiring salary will be between $16 and $18 per hour, depending upon experience.

Horticulture Assistants work alongside the Arboretum’s team of professional Horticulturists and this position will primarily be assigned/recruited for daily duty to our production greenhouse work crew.  In addition to a work crew assignment at the greenhouse, the Horticulture Assistant also will be assigned occasional group work tasks.

This position reports for daily supervision to the Greenhouse Manager. The primary focus of the Production Greenhouse is to grow annuals, perennials and tropical for Seasonal Landscape Exhibits. This position is involved in all aspects of greenhouse plant production to include transplanting, repotting, labeling, spacing plants, watering, washing pots, greenhouse sanitation, pest identification and management, plant inventory management, plant sales, exhibit set up and curation, maintenance of interior plants in the Arboretum’s public buildings, planting and maintenance of container displays, organizing supplies and maintaining a safe workplace. 

The incumbent must be able to move a work load 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.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit
The Horticulture Department works to promote the stewardship and enjoyment of the wealth of plant life within the South Appalachians. This is done through designing, installing and maintaining world-renowned gardens and demonstrating cultivated and natural landscapes through Horticulture, Greenhouse and Bonsai exhibits. Horticulture supports activities including 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 that are responsible for executing these activities are: Production, Plant Records, Bonsai Curation and Grounds and Gardens.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
High School Diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
Preferred Knowledge and / or Experience: Greenhouse Plant Production, Floriculture, Binomial Plant Nomenclature.

• Classification: (Temporary) Horticulture Assistant - Greenhouse
• Position Number: UNCSO-ATNCA5
• Appointment Type: Temporary
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Part-Time
• Location: 100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 USA
• Posting Open Date: 4/19/2024
• Posting Close Date: 4/28/2024
• Posting Number: req435

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: [email protected]