HBS Horticultural Specialist - #000935

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
* 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
* 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
* 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
* 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

The primary location of this position is in Highlands, NC.

The HBS Horticultural Specialist is primarily responsible for maintenance and improvement of the gardens and grounds of the 23-acre Highlands Biological Station, a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University located in Highlands, North Carolina. This includes the native plant Highlands Botanical Gardens composed of the Historic Woodlands, Lakeside Bog, thematic demonstration gardens, and landscaped areas around buildings. Maintenance of the gardens and grounds is of utmost importance for the safety of visitors and the integrity and health of the plant collections. Routine and scheduled maintenance activities include non-native invasive plant management, Hemlock tree management, weed control, pruning, and scheduling mowing and leaf-removal services.

The diverse native plant collections of HBS are valuable assets used for education, research, conservation, and public enrichment, and should be maintained using sustainable best practices and kept in excellent condition.

The Horticultural Specialist assists in the monitoring and upkeep of walkways, trails, boardwalks, and driveways on the HBS campus, being alert to and addressing safety hazards (downed limbs, ice and snow, etc.), and provides oversight and care of relevant tools and other equipment needed for grounds maintenance.

The Horticultural Specialist also helps coordinate projects relating to the gardens and grounds (typically in concert with HBS leadership and the Gardens & Grounds Committee), recruits and supervises summer Botanical Garden Assistants, coordinates and works alongside garden volunteers, and conducts public garden tours. The Horticultural Specialist reports to the HBS Facilities Manager, with whom the Horticultural Specialist works cooperatively as projects or grounds needs dictate. The Horticultural Specialist will be a member of the HBS Gardens & Grounds Planning and Advisory Committee.

A North Carolina Pesticide Applicators' License is required within 6 months of employment.

Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Must have excellent horticultural / landscape maintenance, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Must be capable of working independently and as part of a team. Must create and maintain positive working relationships and an excellent rapport with colleagues, advisory committee members, volunteers, students, interns, faculty, researchers and the public. Must be able to operate tools, vehicles, and equipment required by the needs of the position. A valid driver's license is required.

High school diploma or equivalency and demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

May require North Carolina Pesticide License and/or North Carolina Commercial Driver's License.

NC Pesticide License required within 6 months of employment

To be considered, you must apply online. In order to complete the application process, please attach a cover letter, resume, and listing of references (include their complete contact information).

Applicants who wish to claim veteran's preference must upload a copy of their DD-214.

PLEASE COMPLETE ALL AREAS OF THE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW PROCESS.

If no applicants apply, who meet the required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities/Competencies and Training and Experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants.

All new hires into positions subject to the State Human Resources Act ( SHRA) will serve a 12 month probationary period as defined by the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources ( OSHR).

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.