(019123) Horticulture Specialist, Formal Gardens
 The University of North Carolina System | |
paid time off
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 United States, North Carolina, Asheville | |
| 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way (Show on map) | |
 Mar 02, 2026 | |
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The North Carolina Arboretum is a cherished community space that thrives on collaboration, education, and the beauty of nature. We are seeking a dedicated Horticulture Specialist for our Formal Gardens to help cultivate a welcoming environment where visitors can connect with the natural world. Our gardens are designed to be accessible and enjoyable for all, and we take pride in nurturing both plants and community spirit. The primary purpose of the Horticulture Specialist, Formal Gardens position consists of the installation and maintenance of intensely planted horticultural demonstration areas through the 424+ acres of The North Carolina Arboretum property. Reporting to the Garden Crew Leader, this position is responsible for the many duties required for maintaining the beauty and health and developing the educational aspects of the Arboretum's Landscapes. The Gardner is responsible for the maintenance of and the safety within the Arboretum's educational Core Garden Areas. The hiring salary is between $37,500 and $39,996 and benefits will be offered through the State of North Carolina and University of North Carolina System. These benefits include 12 holidays per year and other paid time off, retirement and health contributions. Responsibilities include: Plant Health Care The North Carolina Arboretum gardens are home to one of the most valuable and educational plant collections in the state. Expertise in a wide range of horticultural techniques is required to ensure the health and vigor of this outstanding collection. Proper installation of all new herbaceous and woody plant materials is essential to the survival of species in the collection. This position is expected to be well versed in the most current standards for this pursuit. Several tasks follow planting to ensure the survival of specimens added tot he collection. These tasks are as follows: choosing the correct mulch and applying it in the proper fashion, irrigating the collection and monitoring soil moisture, pruning both woody and herbaceous plants to ensure optimum health, growth and safety and applying fertilizer at the appropriate rate to promote optimum performance. An extensive knowledge of a wide range of plants is required to address the needs of each distinct species. The control of invasive weeds and vines is also essential to the health of the collection. This position also addresses soil issues related to plant health care as follows: tilling, incorporating amendments, both organic and non-organic, adding nutrients, increasing drainage and stabilizing top soil. General Maintenance Tasks performed on a set schedule to maintain the beauty and safety of the Arboretum are the responsibility of this position. A daily cleaning routine must be performed to remove unsightly debris and litter, trash cans and ash trays must be changed and kept tidy. All walkways must be kept clear of debris and in good order. The gardens will be checked on a daily basis to ensure the safety of our guests. All hardscape must be kept in good order including seating, containers, benches trellises, gates, fences arbors, stone work and sculpture. Snow removal, leaf removal, and storm damage clean up are also within the realm of garden maintenance. Integrated Pest Management This position is entrusted with the task of protecting all plant material within the assigned garden from the damaging effects of pest and disease. The position will practice Integrated Pest Management as a means to control these pathogens. The plants housed in the assigned garden will be monitored on a set schedule in order to detect early signs of damage. This position must be capable of recognizing and interpreting damage symptoms and is expected to report their findings to the Garden Crew Leader. The most environmentally responsible treatment will then be applied by this position. The position is expected to keep up to date records, identifying key plant and key plant pests within the assigned garden and treatments that are applied. Education The significant increase in visitation in recent years has dramatically increased the interaction of the position with the general public. Increased contact with the public leads to an increased need for the position to provide interpretation of the many and varied collections housed in the NC Arboretum's Landscape and Demonstration Gardens. This position is also required to participate in educational programs within and outside of their specific area of responsibility, to include assistance with guided garden tours, symposiums, and other events as needed. The position also has contact with and provides horticultural information to the visiting public on a daily basis. Positive public relations require this position to be able to communicate effectively on a variety of levels. In addition, the position will be asked to provide leadership, training and support to our valuable corps of Volunteers, Seasonal Staff and Temporary Horticulture Staff positions who are vital to the success of our mission. Plant Records The position is key in the active management of TNCA's plant records database. All plant material accessioned and de-accessioned from our collections must be recorded in the field and the information must be entered into the database used for tracking. These records must be kept diligently and this information must be recorded promptly to ensure that material is well interpreted and available to the visiting public. As plants are either added to or removed from the landscape appropriate steps for the correct labeling will follow. Information for each new planting is provided to the Gardens Crew Leader who produces the labels for the plants. The gardener is responsible for the proper installation of these labels. Required Competencies, Qualifications, and Experience Knowledge: Technical Communication: Excellent written and verbal skills to communicate with staff, volunteers and visiting public in a professional manner. This includes the ability to interpret the Arboretum mission, plant displays and horticulture techniques to the general public. Professional: The incumbent must be able to use judgement and initiative while working independently to complete work assignments with a minimum of supervision. This role must also be capable of maintaining professional working relationships with crew members and volunteers to promote a positive environment for the general public. Participation in symposia, providing assistance with guided and self-guided garden tours is required. Physical Environment and Abilities: the candidate must be able to move a work load of 50 pounds occasionally. Typical activities include moving plants, shrubs and trees, lifting bags of soil, moving large quantities of mulch or additives, mixing fertilizers, using ladders to place decorations and completing pruning tasks, pulling water hoses, digging and planting with at least 70 percent of total work time involving some kind of physical activity. The position will be exposed often to direct sunlight, heat and humidity and 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 elements is commonplace. This role requires highly physical, finite visual attention skills, a high level of mental concentration and manipulation. About the Team The primary purpose of the Horticulture Department is to support the North Carolina Arboretum's mission. This mission is to promote the stewardship and enjoyment of the wealth of plant life within the South Appalachians through world-renowned gardens demonstrating cultivated and natural landscapes. Horticulture supports activities to 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. Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
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