(Temporary)Horticulture Assistant -Grounds

(Temporary) Horticulture Assistant - Grounds Maintenance

Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just south of Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum offers acres of cultivated gardens and groomed trails featuring some of the most beautiful, botanically-diverse plants in the region. The Arboretum currently has an opening for a Horticulture Assistant specializing in grounds maintenance.

Horticulture Assistants are temporary positions that can work up to 11 months in duration throughout the North Carolina Arboretum's Horticulture Department. This position will specialize in Grounds Maintenance. Horticulture Assistants generally work 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. although some rotational weekends and overtime may be assigned. The hiring salary will be $18 per hour.

Horticulture Assistants work alongside the Arboretum's team of professional Horticulturists and this position will primarily be assigned/recruited for daily duty within the grounds maintenance area. In addition to a working on the Arboretum's grounds, the Horticulture Assistant will also will be assigned occasional group work tasks.

This position reports for daily supervision to the Grounds Maintenance Crew Leader. The primary focus of this position is all aspects of turf maintenance to include mowing, string trimming, edging, weed management, fertilization, and leaf and litter removal. Other duties include mulching, debris management, road repair, snow removal, equipment operation and light irrigation repair.

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: commercial turf maintenance, operating small engine equipment (mowers, trimmers, etc.), and operating heavy equipment (tractors, etc.).

• Classification: (Temporary)Horticulture Assistant - Grounds
• 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: 1/5/2026
• Posting Close Date: 1/19/2026
• Posting Number: req665

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: recruiter@northcarolina.edu