Horticulturist

University of North Carolina Charlotte

$34,320 - $41,851

United States, North Carolina, Charlotte

Jan 16, 2026

Horticulturist

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist.
Please ensure your application reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.
Do not write 'see resume' on your application when completing the job duties section.
UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/

Position Information

General Information

Vacancy Open to	All Candidates
Employment Type	Permanent - Full-time
If time-limited, note appointment end date
Hours per week	40
Months per year	12
Position Number	003117
NC Salary Grade Equivalency	MH04
Classification Title	Research Technician - Contributing
Working Title	Horticulturist
Salary Range	$34,320 -$41,851
Anticipate Hiring Range	$34,320 -$37,080
FLSA Status	Non Exempt
Division	Academic Affairs
Department	College of Science (Col)
Work Unit	Botanical Gardens
Work Schedule	Monday - Friday; hours between 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, with rotating weekend watering duties (approx. 1 weekend per month).
Primary Purpose of Position	The purpose of the Horticulturist is to cultivate, care for, and promote the outdoor and greenhouse plant collections. This position assists with horticultural practices including, but not limited to, planting, weeding, watering, fertilizing, pesticide use, pruning, trail and garden equipment maintenance in the outdoor gardens. This position will have some responsibility for an outdoor nursery, semi-annual plant sale, research greenhouse, and irrigation. An interest and the ability to supervise and lead a small work crew of students and/or volunteers is required. Work includes collaboration with the entire Botanical Gardens staff, especially the horticultural team. Work is active and requires medium physical body strength. There is an expectation that this position will contribute to outreach events such as tours, classes, and others. This position requires some weekend and holiday work for plant care and special events.
Minimum Education/Experience	Required Minimum Qualifications: Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.
Essential Job Duties	This position assists with horticultural practices including, but not limited to, planting, weeding, watering, fertilizing, pesticide use, pruning, trail and garden equipment maintenance in the outdoor gardens. Maintain safe, clean, and functionally attractive display environments in the greenhouse and outdoor gardens. Care for plant collections, including identifying problems and pursuing solutions. Perform work in extreme outdoor weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, wind, etc) Perform work requiring medium physical body strength (lifting/carrying 21-50 lbs) Manage select outdoor specialty display gardens. Contribute actively with the horticultural team to complete tasks, meet goals or manage projects. Invest fully in and be accountable to the horticultural team. This includes maintaining flexibility in one's team role and seeking opportunities to learn and to contribute. Support the horticultural team through constant communication, active listening, and routine group participation. This position will have some responsibility for an outdoor nursery, semi-annual plant sale, research greenhouse, and irrigation. An interest and the ability to supervise and lead a small work crew of students and/or volunteers is required. This position requires some weekend and holiday work for plant care and special events.
Other Work Responsibilities	Collaborate with other staff, volunteers and student workers on general garden/greenhouse maintenance and display renovations. Assist the staff with documenting the gardens' plant collections (inventory, mapping, labeling, etc) Actively support the staff during plant sales and garden events. Other duties, as assigned.
Departmental Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education	A working knowledge of and experience using special tools, materials and utility systems typically needed for plant cultivation. Experience working with a team, preferably a garden maintenance team. A general knowledge of native and non-native plant materials that live in North Carolina is strongly preferred.
Necessary Licenses or Certifications
Work Location	McMillan Greenhouse
Posting date	01/16/2026
Closing date	01/30/2026
Proposed Hire Date	02/03/2026
Contact Information
Special Notes to Applicants	The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist. Please ensure your application reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions. Do not write 'see resume' on your application when completing the job duties section. UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

*
How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
- UNC Charlotte Website
- HERC Job Board
- Inside Higher Education
- Circa (formerly known as Local JobNetwork)
- Another Website
- Agency Referral
- Advertisement/Publication
- Personal Referral
- Other
Where did you learn about this posting?

(Open Ended Question)
*
Please describe your experience in planting, weeding, watering, fertilizing, pesticide use, pruning, trail and garden equipment maintenance in the outdoor gardens.

(Open Ended Question)
*
This position requires some weekend and holiday work for plant care and special events are you available to meet this requirement.
- yes
- no

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Resume / Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter / Letter of Interest

Optional Documents