Gardener

Job Description

This position will support the Gardens Manager in the maintenance and development of the gardens, applying best practices in horticultural techniques to a wide variety of plant materials to ensure they are maintained to the highest horticulture standards. This individual will monitor, manage, and maintain garden areas including new installations, weeding, watering, pruning, composting, mulching, and identifying and treating problems.

About Us

Southern Highlands Reserve (SHR) is a nationally recognized native plant arboretum and research center dedicated to sustaining the natural ecosystems of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We accomplish this mission through the preservation, cultivation, and display of plants native to the region, and by advocating for their value through education, restoration, and research. The organization, established in 2002, is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit with deep experience in high elevation native plant management, propagation, and restoration. Set among 120 acres along the Blue Ridge escarpment of the eastern continental divide at an elevation of 4,500 feet, the site includes a 22-acre display garden and a new state-of-the-art greenhouse.

SHR is also at the forefront of red spruce restoration in the Southern Appalachian Mountains as a charter member of Southern Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative (SASRI). Partners in SASRI such as the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission work together to establish a framework for mapping, planning, and completing red spruce restoration projects. To date, SHR has grown more than 10,000 mature red spruce seedlings and planted more than 7,000 red spruce trees on public land with SASRI partners and volunteers.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain all plantings on a daily basis, including watering, weeding, deadheading, mulching, fertilizing, pruning, and other maintenance as directed
• Operate and maintain tools and equipment, including blowers, trimmers, and utility and company vehicles to transport materials and equipment
• Maintain landscape features such as walkways, stonework, and trails as directed
• Monitor garden conditions for visitor safety and report problems to supervisor
• Report problems related to pests, diseases, and damage to gardens and ground
• Assist with propagation of plants, seed collecting, and other greenhouse tasks
• Assist with recordkeeping related to chemical applications, plant documentation, and equipment inventory
• Supervise and work with garden volunteers
• Work with SHR colleagues on conservation and restoration projects
• Perform tasks related to weather protection to include repair work related to storm damage
• Perform proper weeding by hand in landscape beds to create a neat, clean appearance and inhibit the growth of weeds
• Assist with landscape renovations to include performing landscape construction to improve the visual impact of the garden
• Assist with tour and event setup and breakdown as required
• Maintain cleanliness of all assigned areas as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university
• Working knowledge of methods, materials, techniques, tools, and equipment used in a wide variety of grounds maintenance activities
• Knowledge of the planting and care of native perennials, woody shrubs, and trees, and the appropriate control measures of their major pests and diseases
• Proficiency in the use of computers and MS Office applications
• Ability to lift, carry, push or pull 50 pounds. Position often requires strenuous activity outdoors with exposure to a variety of conditions ranging from hot and humid to cold and wet.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in horticulture, landscaping, or any combination of related skills
• Proficiency with irrigation installation and repairs
• Ability to perform minor repairs on power equipment
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in a public garden

Application Instructions

Please email a cover letter and resume to info@southernhighlandsreserve.org.
Please use the subject: Gardener – YOUR NAME.