Horticulturist

Agency Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources Division Zoological Park Job Classification Title Grounds Worker II (S) Position Number 60033266 Grade NC03

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,

education:

al, 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 Do you enjoy working outdoors planting and maintaining large landscapes? The North Carolina Zoo is seeking multiple

experience:

d Horticulturist to work in our horticulture department. A Zoo Horticulturist at the NC Zoo is responsible for maintaining and enhancing plant collections and landscapes that support animal habitats, visitor

experience:

s, and conservation goals. Their work supports the horticulture mission to advance public awareness of the importance of plants and their role in nature and contributes to the goal of creating living pictures of wild places that respectfully represent animal habitats.

Key Responsibilities:

• Daily plant maintenance, including cultivation, sowing, propagating, and transplanting • Fertilizing, applying chemicals, and watering • Landscape construction and design • Equipment operation and record keeping • Adheres to Environmental Management System (EMS) and SOG/SOP protocols • Interact with Zoo guests to answer questions and provide information requiring a thorough knowledge of the Zoo's plant collection • Use computers for research, data entry and/or record keeping Knowledge

Skills:

and Abilities/Management Preferences Recruitment Range: $31,200 - $43,000 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: Demonstrated thorough working knowledge of plant maintenance procedures and horticultural practices used in landscape installation and grounds maintenance.

• Demonstrated plant knowledge and

experience:

with observing and identifying plant problems.

• Demonstrated

experience:

with various equipment used for landscaping such as string trimmers, blowers, tractors, front-end loaders, skid-steers and/or other related equipment. Position/Physical

Requirements:

Typical work schedule is Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm Requires working rotating weekend and holiday work for 12 months out of the year, on average once every 2 months. Must be able to perform the physical demands of the job for extended and irregular periods, under adverse conditions in all extremes of weather.

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. Required to participate in an occupational health program due to contact with animal containment areas. Must be able to lift between 30-50 pounds of aggregate material to a height of 18 inches and transport it laterally a distance of 4.5 feet on a frequent basis.

Considered "Essential/Mandatory Staff" and required to work on adverse weather days, during zoo emergencies, and may be called to work special events. Selected candidate will be a team player and maintain effective work relationships. Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

***SIGN-ON BONUS BEING OFFERED*** A sign-on bonus of $1000 is being offered for eligible candidates. See eligibility at https://oshr.nc.gov/policies/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy *Payout contingent on funding availability* This position is located at: 4401 Zoo Parkway Asheboro, NC 27205 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. High school or General

Education:

al Development (GED) diploma AND two years of progressive

experience:

in horticultural work; OR Associate’s degree in agriculture and natural resources, greenhouse and grounds maintenance, horticulture technology, landscape gardening or closely related field from an appropriately accredited institution; OR an equivalent combination of

education:

and

experience:

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 more

about:

the North Carolina Zoo: https://nczoo.org Click here to learn

about:

employee perks and

benefits:

Click here to see the Total

Compensation:

Calculator. 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 over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. 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). Sign On Bonus Eligibility To be eligible for a sign-on bonus, the candidate must not have worked as a probationary, permanent, or time-limited employee in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government, including without limitation the judicial system, state executive branch agencies, and the university system, subject to the State Human Resources Act.

Employee eligible for a sign-on must work at least 20 hours per week. All Sign-on Bonuses are contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. Additional information regarding the Sign-on Policy can be found here.

CONTACT INFORMATION N.C.:

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources 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: Kimberly West Email: employment@dncr.nc.gov North Carolina State Government is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina.

We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services. Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive

benefits:

, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more

about:

the

benefits:

of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website. Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Find your next

opportunity:

today! State Application Resources/Frequently Asked Questions Valuing

Education:

and

Experience:

The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and

experience:

of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow

experience:

to be substituted for

education:

or do not require a post-secondary degree. Learn more

about:

how you may qualify for a position through

education:

or directly related

experience:

, or a combination of both, with the

Education:

and

Experience:

Equivalency Guide. Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we'll get in touch if there's a role that seems like a good match. If you are already a state employee, please search for jobs by clicking here.