Assistant Horticulturist
Durham, NC, US, 27710
Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.
Assistant Horticulturist
Be You.
Be Bold.
What You'll Do
- Maintain and enhance Duke University and Duke Health landscapes through proper horticultural practices, including pruning, edging, mulching, watering, planting, fertilization, and weed management.
- Apply integrated pest management (IPM) principles and sound horticultural practices to support healthy and sustainable campus landscapes.
- Inspect landscape areas to identify plant stress, disease, insect activity, soil erosion, and other landscape concerns; recommend and implement corrective actions.
- Serve as a plant care resource and subject matter expert for assigned campus areas.
- Safely operate and maintain specialized horticultural equipment, garden tools, and hand-held power equipment.
- Assist with landscape planning, enhancement projects, and installation of seasonal plantings.
- Support grounds maintenance personnel by providing technical expertise, guidance, and advanced horticultural knowledge.
- Monitor landscape conditions and communicate findings and recommendations to supervisors.
- Assist with cleanup, emergency response, and landscape recovery efforts during severe weather events and other campus emergencies.
- Support snow and ice removal operations as required.
What You'll Bring
Required Qualifications
- Associate degree in Horticulture, Botany, Landscape Management, or a closely related field.
- North Carolina Pesticide Applicator License, or the ability to obtain within six months of hire.
- Valid North Carolina Driver's License.
- Three years of professional experience in horticulture, landscaping, grounds maintenance, or related plant care work.
- Experience with plant cultivation, pruning, plant selection, disease identification, and application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
- A Bachelor's degree in Horticulture or a related field may substitute for two years of required experience.
Skills & Abilities
- Strong knowledge of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and ornamental plant materials.
- Knowledge of proper pruning techniques and plant health management.
- Ability to identify common plant pests, diseases, and environmental stressors.
- Understanding of integrated pest management practices.
- Strong planning, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Ability to interpret and follow complex oral and written instructions.
- Commitment to workplace safety and safe operation of vehicles, equipment, and machinery.
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions throughout the year.
- Ability to frequently lift, carry, and maneuver materials and equipment weighing 50 pounds or more.
- Availability to support snow and ice removal activities and emergency weather response efforts.
Choose Duke.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Work requires knowledge of botany or horticulture normally acquired through a two year Associate degree program in horticulture or two years post secondary education in botany or a related field. Must be able to obtain North Carolina Pesticide License
Experience
Work requires one year of experience in horticulture or related area to acquire technical skills necessary to perform such duties as plant cultivation, plant propagation, plant selection and other duties consistent with greenhouse maintenance. Public Garden experience preferred. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE A valid driver's license is required.
Degrees, Licensures, Certifications
Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $20.00 to USD $27.15. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/
Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions:
Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh