Grounds Worker Intern

Agency

Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources

Division

Job Classification Title

S-Operations & Trades (S)

Position Number

Grade

TS

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) takes care of the things that people love about North Carolina. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. 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. Everyone is welcome. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team!

Description of Work

The North Carolina Zoo is expanding, making this an exciting opportunity to join our team. We are seeking a dedicated, hardworking, and enthusiastic individual to serve as a Seasonal Grounds Worker within our Horticulture Division.

In this role, the Seasonal Grounds Worker supports the Zoo’s horticulture mission by helping care for and maintain plant collections across the park’s North America region, Africa region, and interior habitats such as the Desert, Streamside, browse gardens, butterfly areas, and greenhouses. Grounds Workers assist with planting, mowing, mulching, pruning, cultivation, fertilizing, watering, and general landscape maintenance. They also help ensure safe, attractive, and ecologically accurate environments that support both guest experience and animal well‑being.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

*Receive and place plants in appropriate holding areas using proper potting, heeling‑in, and labeling techniques, and transport plants to designated locations using plans, lists, and Zoo vehicles.
*Prepare sites by removing rocks, tilling soil, and adding amendments using hand tools and carts.
*Use proper cultivation practices, install plants, and water them to complete assigned projects.
*Remove damaged, diseased, unsafe, or overgrown plant material using hand tools and accepted horticultural techniques.
*Assist with pruning tasks to prevent hazards, maintain plant health, and support aesthetic goals, including preparing necessary tools and equipment.
*Identify and determine appropriate control methods for undesirable, invasive, or toxic weeds.
*Perform weed control using hand removal, tools, and herbicides while ensuring the safety of animals, guests, and staff.
*Monitor public areas to protect plant collections and ensure safe visitor behavior.
*Answer questions and provide information to guests as needed.
*Build constructive working relationships characterized by cooperation, respect, and teamwork.
*Follow established safety practices, check work areas daily for hazards, and return tools and equipment to proper storage.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $17.00 per hour

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

Candidates meet the minimum qualifications of this position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. Vacancy specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and/or management preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following are preferred:

Management Prefers

• Experience in grounds or horticulture‑related work, including but not limited to planting, pruning, landscape maintenance, weed control, or assisting with the care of plant collections in public gardens, parks, or similar environments.

Position & Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in extreme weather conditions typical to Central NC (heat, rain, or cold).

• Ability to use radio, telephone, and computer to communicate and follow written and verbal instructions.

• Possesses sufficient cognitive ability, auditory and visual acuity, and communication skills to perform essential duties and follow general safety practices.

• Must be able to work in a variety of physical positions, including sitting, climbing, bending, reaching, balancing, standing, walking, and lifting or carrying up to 50 lbs.

• Must have the ability to navigate paved as well as rough or uneven pathways.

• Must be willing and able to work varied shifts, including occasional weekends and adverse‑weather assignments.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Must meet DNCR Fleet Safety Guidelines and have the ability to obtain and maintain a valid U.S. driver’s license or obtain one within 90 days of employment.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

This position is located at:

4401 Zoo Parkway

Asheboro, NC 27205

WE ARE RECRUITING FOR MULTIPLE VACANCIES.

DNCR does not engage in dual employment for temporary positions; if you are currently employed with another State agency, State university, or the NC National Guard and intend to remain employed with that entity, you may not be considered for temporary work with DNCR.

Minimum Education and Experience

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 the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

• Education and/or experience in grounds or horticulture work that is directly related to the position and consistent with accepted practices of the trade, equivalent to two years of experience in planting, cultivation, and the care of shrubs, trees, plants, and grasses;

Or

• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

If there are no qualified candidates remaining in the applicant pool who meet the minimum Education and Experience or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position, the agency may consider for this position a trainee who does not meet the minimum requirements. Salary for a trainee may be set at a lower level than the classification salary range and recruitment range that is listed in the posting with the salary being adjusted up accordingly as the trainee has obtained the necessary additional education and experience to fully meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in the classification specification. 

Division Description

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.

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

Supplemental and Contact Information

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, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence. 

 We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community. 

Application Process

 Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.

• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application, to support your answers.

• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application. The hiring process may take several weeks.

• Be sure to complete the application in full. Applicants are unable to submit more than one application to an individual posting.  Only one application received prior to the closing date will be accepted.  Applications must be submitted by 11:59:59 PM on the night prior to the closing date.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more. 

Veteran’s and National Guard Preference 

Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application. 

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. 

Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application. 

ADA Accommodations 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DNCR is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DNCR will ensure that persons with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below. 

Employment Eligibility 

It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and DNCR 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 the North Carolina Zoo

4401 Zoo Parkway

Asheboro, NC 27205

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Barbara Christian

Email:

[email protected]