Zoo Horticulturist

• Pay Grade - NC03, Recruitment Range - $31,200 - $42,000*
• SIGN-ON BONUS BEING OFFERED*

A sign-on bonus of $1000 is being offered for eligible candidates.  See eligibility at https://oshr.nc.gov/policies/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy

• Job offer is contingent upon passing a pre-employment screen conducted by assigned provider.*

Primary Purpose of the Position:

Do you enjoy working outdoors planting and maintaining large landscapes? The North Carolina Zoo is seeking an experienced Horticulturist to work at the African and Asia exhibits of its horticulture department. The position is responsible for daily plant maintenance, including cultivation, sowing, propagating, transplanting, fertilizing, applying chemicals, watering, landscape construction and design, plant maintenance, equipment operation and record keeping, adhering to Environmental Management System (EMS) and SOG/SOP protocols. In addition, the position will Interact with Zoo guests to answer questions and provide information requiring a thorough knowledge of the Zoo's plant collection.

Job Requirements:

• Must be able to perform the physical demands of the job for extended and irregular periods, under adverse conditions in all extremes of weather.

• Requires working rotating weekend and holiday work for approximately 9 months out of the year, on average once every 2 months.

• Must obtain and maintain a valid NC Driver's License within 30 days of employment.

• Required participation in the Zoo's occupational health program.

• Must be able to lift between 30-50 pounds of aggregate material to a height of 18 inches and transport it laterally a distance 4.5 feet on a frequent basis.

• Position is considered "Essential/Mandatory Staff" and required to work on adverse weather days and during zoo emergencies.

• Selected candidate will be a team player and maintain effective work relationships.

Learn about the NC ZOO: https://www.nczoo.org  

Learn about employee perks/benefits: https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits

To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.

• Demonstrated thorough working knowledge of plant maintenance procedures and horticultural practices used in landscape installation and grounds maintenance.

• Demonstrated plant knowledge and experience with observing and identifying plants problems.

• Demonstrated experience with various equipment used for landscaping such as string trimmers, blowers, tractors, frond-end loaders, skid-steers and/or other related equipment.

• Demonstrated use of computers for research, data entry and/or record keeping.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.

See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma 

and

two years of progressive experience in horticultural work;

or

Associate's degree in agriculture and natural resources, greenhouse and grounds maintenance, horticulture technology, landscape gardening or closely related field from an appropriately accredited institution;

or

an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Qualifications May require North Carolina Commercial Driver s License.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit:

The North Carolina Zoological Park exists for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of all our citizens and visitors. The mission of the zoo is to conserve and protect representative examples of natural beauty, endangered and threatened plant and animal species, and ecological features of the continents it represents.

The NC Zoo's Horticulture Division's mission is to advance public awareness of the importance of plants and their role in nature.

Department Information:

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) takes care of the things that people love about North Carolina, literally from A to Z.  The Arts to the Zoo, and so much else - parks, aquariums, historic sites, archaeology, African American Heritage Commission, science and history museums, the state Symphony, Library, and Archives, historic preservation, land, and water stewardship, and more.  These places, and the ideas they represent, create a shared identity in North Carolina. They provide common ground.  Everyone is welcome.  The Department's vision is to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Our goal is to promote equity and inclusion among our employees and our programming to reflect and celebrate our state's diverse population, culture, and history. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team.

Visit:  https://www.ncdcr.gov/

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation or political influence.

Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application, but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit.  "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted.

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.

To obtain veterans preference, you must scan and upload a copy of your DD-214 or discharge orders.

Technical issues submitting your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627.

Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax.  Please call the human resources office for assistance.

If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take an average of 6 - 8 weeks.

It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) on the first day of employment.   We participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).

CONTACT INFORMATION:

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Division of Human Resources

Ellie Meadows
4401 Zoo Parkway

Asheboro, NC 27205
336-879-7310

  employment@dncr.nc.gov

Please visit our website at www.nczoo.org for more information regarding our facility.