Horticulture Assistant (temporary)- NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Applicants MUST submit a state PD-107 as indicated in the "How to Apply" section. Applications submitted on really cannot be accepted.

** Position will function as Horticulture Assistant weekend, evening, and holiday work could be a component of this position with an anticipated start date of 05/31/2025**
*This is an 11-month temporary position not to exceed 40 hours per week. It is classified as temporary/part-time and does not include state benefits.*

Description of Work:

Horticulture staff are responsible for the maintenance of outdoor landscaping and display gardens on the grounds, as well as indoor exhibit plantings. The NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island employs environmentally friendly plant care that takes into consideration the impacts on our waterways and native wildlife. We do not rely on pesticides or synthetic fertilizers and are required to use Southeastern native plants for our landscaping and display beds. In addition, NCARI seeks to educate the public on native plants and their importance to native wildlife such as pollinators and songbirds.

Primary duties of the Horticulture Assistant are to support the Conservation Horticulturist in all aspects of the daily care of the existing gardens, grounds, and plant collections. The Horticulture Assistant must possess the initiative and confidence to work with a minimum of direct supervision. They must have excellent communication skills and the flexibility to adapt to the daily workload, changing outdoor conditions, and a wide range of seasonally changing activities.

The Horticulture Assistant position performs the following essential functions under the supervision of the Curatorial staff and the Conservation Horticulturist (time devoted to each work area/function will change seasonally):

• Care and maintenance of plants (including watering, weeding, mulching, edging, planting, and pruning) in the following areas:
• existing display gardens and landscaped areas on the aquarium grounds
• interior plants in wetlands and freshwater exhibits
• landscaped areas (not lawns)
• seasonal planters and exhibits
• plant collection at on-site nursery, including occasional propagation
• Nursery maintenance, including raking, taking out compost, washing and sorting pots, weed whacking
• Habitat restoration projects including removal of invasive plants and revegetation
• Maintain on site compost area
• Work alongside and supervise volunteers

In addition, for those interested, there may be the opportunity for:

• Participating in formal and informal educational programming for visitors on topics related to horticulture such as sustainable gardening methods, plant id, and pollinators
• Assisting with native plant sales
• Community Science data collection (monarchs, bumblebees, etc.)
• Other duties as relevant to both Aquarium and employee needs

Position/Physical Requirements:

• This position will require work in hot, humid, cold, windy and wet outdoor conditions with exposure to biting/stinging insects.
• This position will require lifting heavy items (approximately 50 pounds), climbing ladders, walking and standing for extended periods of time, using a hand-pulled wagon/cart or wheelbarrow to transport supplies, using shovels or other tools to dig holes and prepare soil, bending, kneeling, squatting, reaching and crawling, and work at heights indoors.
• This position requires early start times (usually 7:30) several days a week (start times may vary seasonally).
• This position may require occasional weekend and holiday work.
• Must meet DNCR Fleet Safety Guidelines and have ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license issued from within the United States or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the care of plants.
• Knowledge of the care of plants.
• Knowledge of North Carolina coastal native plants
• Knowledge of basic ecology and sustainable landscaping practices

Minimum Education and Experience:

High school or General Educational Development (GED) and one year of experience as related to knowledge, skills, and abilities in area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Experience:

• 1 year experience in instruction and training.
• 1 year experience working and communicating in a team environment

How to Apply:
A PD-107 State Application for Employment (found at https://oshr.nc.gov/nc-state-government-paper-application-employment-pd-107) must be submitted.

A cover letter and resume may also be submitted but will NOT be accepted in lieu of the NC State Application PD-107 form. Applications which do not include the applicant's signature are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Mail, fax, or email completed applications to:

Leslie Vegas, Husbandry Curator
Leslie.Vegas@ncaquariums.com
NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island
PO Box 967
Manteo, NC 27954
Fax: 252-473-1980

The Department of Natural & Cultural Resources (DNCR) uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Personnel Act with the most qualified applicants. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institution. The State of North Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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).

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. Check out this amazing video about our department (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rszO61zc0sM)

Division Information:
The mission of the North Carolina Aquariums is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. This mission is achieved by attracting, retaining, and developing a world class team of professionals; providing visitors with outstanding exhibits, experiences, and customer service; practicing sustainability, internal customer service and fiscal responsibility; and working to save and restore aquatic species and habitats.
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is located in Manteo, NC and is nine miles from the Atlantic coastline in Nags Head. The 61,000 square-foot facility is sited on 16 acres overlooking the Croatan Sound and houses over 1600 animals in its collection. Over 280,000 guests visit the aquarium each year to see a variety of animals, learn about sea turtle conservation, participate in educational programs, enjoy the beauty of the area, and think about how special North Carolina’s waterways are.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $16.00 per hour

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Do you understand that an application submitted through really cannot be considered? Please follow the instructions under "How to Apply" to be sure your application is received.

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16