Horticulturist - Invasive Plant Management

Job Summary:

Minimum pay for this position is $17.85/hour.  Additional compensation will be considered for candidates with higher amounts of experience above the minimum requirements.

The Horticulturalist will act as an area/team specialist to provide specific horticultural care to an assigned area of the estate gardens and grounds. As a subject matter expert, the Horticulturalist will ordinarily be involved with and/or responsible for (but not limited to: design; training; plant maintenance; presentations/talks; ordering and procurement; and special projects and functions as needed. This is a “hands on” position that will also offer general support to the horticulture crews as well as the leadership teams.

The preferred candidate would have experience designing Seasonal Displays as well as interiorscaping.

Flex: A position working 20 - 29 hours per week (between 1,000 - 1,559 hours per year). Schedule varies but is generally Monday - Friday, 7:00AM - 3:30PM, with occasional weekends.

Essential Job Duties:

1. Performs skilled gardening duties including but not limited to: installing and maintaining healthy plants in greenhouses, gardens, interiors, and landscape settings with no supervision.

2. Leads in developing design elements of assigned area by recommending plants, plant combinations and other artistic elements.

3. Monitors and controls pest levels and plant health in assigned areas through IPM and nutrient management without supervision.

4. Selects and prepares soils and compost as needed for planting with no supervision.

5. Applies appropriate business practices when developing garden designs and procedures. Understands how their work affects the business aspects of Biltmore Estate, prepares for last minute changes in procedures due to business necessities.

6. Initiates maintenance procedures for common issues and seeks supervisory direction and input for technical and procedural issues to insure appropriate outcomes.

7. Presents lectures, training programs to staff and others.

8. Actively participates in appropriate professional organizations.

9. Performs basic grounds maintenance duties including but not limited to: general cleanup, trash removal, weeding, mowing, hauling and chipping brush.

Qualifications:

1. Must be able to perform each job duty and additional responsibilities satisfactorily.

2. Valid driver’s license.

3. Become Worker Protection Safety certified within 10 days of hire.

4. Pesticide license acquired within 1 year of hire.

5. A minimum of two years technical education in horticulture or related field with one year work experience, or three to five years working knowledge and experience. Essential Job Duties - Continued

6. Complies with all safety procedures related to duties.

7. Reliably works as scheduled to include weekends, emergency duty and overtime as required.

8. Assists guests in a positive, courteous manner.

9. Works in an efficient, productive manner.

10. Follows instructions, written or verbal.

11. Works efficiently with no supervision.

12. Establishes and follows daily routine without supervision.

13. Operates basic and specialized grounds equipment.

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time; must be able to kneel, stoop, bend, reach below and overhead.

2. Ability to lift upo to 50 lbs on a regular basis

3. Must be able to climb ladders, stairs, and scaffolding as needed.

4. Ability to safely operate small equipment and machinery (e.g. edgers, mowers, etc.) and specialized equipment such as tractors and lifts as appropriate

5. Must be able to work outdoors in all types of weather with fluctuations in temperature and conditions.

6. Ability to work safely with and around pesticides and other chemicals.