Agricultural/Horticultural Specialist - #003354

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
* 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
* 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
* 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

The primary location of this position is on the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

This position is engaged in a full range of preventive and ongoing grounds maintenance programs, related landscape repairs and construction and general construction support for other Facilities Management trades. Position supports and carries out the operation of the University's greenhouse complex which includes 2400 sq. ft of greenhouses, 5500 sq ft of protective structures and multiple cold frames. Position provides support and carries out the propagation of 1,000,000 seeds per year to produce plants for color bed installations. This work includes but is not limited to preparation of growing mediums and containers, seed sowing, propagation procedures, transplanting, fertilization applications, chemical control applications and watering. Propagation of plugs, bare-root, bulbs, cuttings and foliage plant maintenance is carried out in the facility as well. Proper plant growth and development is critical in order to have plants ready for installation at the proper time in campus seasonal color beds. Position is also then responsible for the proper layout, installation and maintenance of these cultivated seasonal color plants in the color beds on campus. This includes planting bed soil profile enhancement, dead-heading, pruning, division, staking, fertilization, spraying, hand weeding, mulching and supplemental watering. Position performs the setup/layout of foliage plants in campus facilities for various special events such as graduations, conferences and meetings following the desire of the user/coordinator of the event. Care and maintenance of foliage plants permanently placed in public lobbies and administrative offices is also performed by this position in an effort to keep the plants looking and performing at their best. Work also includes performing general repair, construction and upkeep of greenhouse complex facilities items such as benches, ventilation, lighting, irrigation, shade cloth and films, cold frames, etc. Position also performs installation of new landscape plantings for newly constructed or remodel buildings and revitalization of general landscape plantings on campus. This requires following provided landscape plans and specifications to ensure plantings are installed in such a way to insure their proper growth and development. Position also performs general grounds maintenance tasks such as mowing, weed-eating, pruning, mulch/fertilizer/chemical applications, litter control, snow removal, etc.

Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Knowledge and ability to perform: various horticultural procedures and tasks for the care and development of seasonal color plants and foliage plants; landscape installation procedures; grounds maintenance tasks. Extensive knowledge and abilities in: the operation and care of greenhouse facilities and structures utilized in seasonal color plant development/production, foliage plant development, plant propagation; seasonal color plant bed design, installation and maintenance; plant material installation procedures; fertilizer, insecticide and weed control chemical applications; general turf and landscape maintenance. Valid North Carolina Drivers License. North Carolina Pesticide License or ability to obtain one within 6 months of employment.

High school diploma or equivalency and demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

May require North Carolina Pesticide License and/or North Carolina Commercial Driver's License.

NC Pesticide License required within 6 months of employment

Applicants must apply online in order to be considered. Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of references (with complete contact information).

PLEASE COMPLETE ALL AREAS OF THE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW PROCESS.

Applicants must upload a DD-214 if claiming Veteran's Preference.

If no applicants apply, who meet the required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities/Competencies and Training and Experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants.

All new hires into positions subject to the State Human Resources Act ( SHRA) will serve a 12 month probationary period as defined by the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources ( OSHR).

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.