(Temporary) Horticulture Assistant- Native Azalea Collection

Are you passionate about native plants, conservation, and connecting people to the natural world? The North Carolina Arboretum is seeking a dedicated Horticulture Assistant to the Native Azalea Collection who will support our mission to cultivate connections between people, plants, and places.

Horticulture Assistant positions are term appointments up to 11 months in duration, working within The NC Arboretum's Horticulture Department. Horticulture Assistants work alongside the NC Arboretum's team of professional Horticulturists and are assigned for daily duty to one of six (6) working divisions: Grounds Maintenance, Natural Resources and Landscapes, Formal Gardens and Nursery, Greenhouse Production, and Native Azalea Curation and Conservation.

This position works predominantly Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with occasional rotational shift coverage, weekend coverage, and overtime as assigned. Pay is $18 per hour.

The Native Azalea Collection Horticulture Assistant position reports for daily supervision to the Native Azalea Collection Curator. The Assistant's primary duties are to support the cultivation of native plants in a nursery setting and provide routine landscape maintenance for the Native Azalea Collection, an 8-acre woodland landscape featuring the Arboretum's collection of native azaleas in a setting of both natural plant communities and designed native plant displays. The Assistant may also be asked to help with plant collections management and data entry, plant collection trip research and implementation, and other duties as assigned.

All Horticulture Assistants participate in group or individual tasks outside of their daily work assignments, as directed to benefit the greater Horticulture Department or Institution. Examples of such tasks include: seasonal landscape display installation, brush chipping, sod installation, exhibit installation, painting, landscape installation and construction, and event support.

These are hands-on positions working in all weather conditions and performing horticulture activities across the Arboretum campus. Tasks can require standing for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting, bending, lifting 50 pounds, the ability to work on slick or uneven surfaces and the ability to climb ladders and work at heights. Work is performed in a public space and often requires interacting with Arboretum Members and Guests. The Native Azalea Collection Horticulture Assistant may be asked to work off campus in remote and wilderness environments with expectations to hike long distances, traverse steep terrain, navigate without trails, and camp overnight at field sites.

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.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
Prior Public Garden or Commercial Horticulture experience preferred.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills

Plant production, native and invasive plant species identification, data management and entry, garden maintenance or general horticulture.

• Classification: (Temporary) Horticulture Assistant- Native Azalea Collection
• 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: 8/18/2025
• Posting Close Date: 9/8/2025
• Posting Number: req614

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