Gardener - TP60083577

About the role

• Agency
• Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources
• Division
• Tryon Palace Historic Sites, Gardens
• Job Classification Title
• Grounds Worker II (S)
• Position Number
• 60083577
• Grade
• NC03

Description of Work

The Grounds Worker II / Gardener at Tryon Palace will perform all levels of garden and grounds maintenance required to achieve the highest aesthetic standards throughout the property. This position is directly responsible for the care, maintenance and overall appearance of lawns and hedges on our main site as well as the North Carolina History Center. This position also assists with special event preparation and maintenance.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Responsible for general daily care of landscape including trees, shrubs, annual and perennial beds by performing detailed weeding, fertilizing, mowing, pruning and applying pesticides.
• Maintain lawns, marl paths, sidewalks and mulched beds.
• Install and maintain high-quality seasonal horticultural displays in assigned garden areas for public viewing.
• Propose planting plans and select culturally adapted and historical plantings to maintain and improve appearance of the gardens.
• Support special events by preparing gardens and grounds for interpretive/educational events and third-party events such as weddings.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

Recruitment Range: $31,200.00 - $41,000.00

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:

• Knowledge in plant maintenance procedures used in landscape installation and garden maintenance.
• Knowledge to identify plants and plant problems and correctly assess condition and health of plants and propose solutions to problems.
• Knowledge of safe handling and application of pesticides and fertilizers.
• Certified Plant Professional preferred.

Position/Physical Requirements

• Must be available to work the schedule of Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm with weekend work on a regular rotation and as needed for special events.
• Must be able to lift heavy materials (50-100lbs) with our without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to perform repetitive manual tasks and operating power equipment.
• Must have a valid NC Pesticide License or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
• Must have a valid driver's license issued from within the United States or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment.

• *SIGN-ON BONUS BEING OFFERED*
• A sign-on bonus of $2500 is being offered for eligible candidates.

• *Payout contingent on funding availability*
• This position is located at: Tryon Palace
• 529 Front Street
• New Bern, NC 28562
• City, State, Zip

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 Educational 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.

Necessary Special Requirements

May require North Carolina Commercial Driver's License.

Section/Unit Description

The Gardens Branch is responsible for the onsite maintenance of 16 acres of gardens and lawns at Tryon Palace, while engaging and interacting with visitors, volunteers, and event guests. The garden staff are responsible for the general daily care of our landscapes, which include detailed weeding, watering, fertilizing, mowing, pruning, shearing hedges & applying pesticides. We prepare seasonal high-quality horticultural displays in assigned garden areas for public view and maintain lawns, marl paths, sidewalks & mulched beds.

Division Description

Tryon Palace welcomes, inspires and engages all visitors and patrons to discover eastern North Carolina's rich dynamic history. At Tryon Palace, North Carolina's first permanent colonial and state capitol, we interpret the history of our community and state using living history programming and exhibits to present an authentic visitor experience. With scholarship and integrity, we preserve and interpret buildings, landscapes, collections and gardens that tell the story of One History, Many Voices.

Click here to learn about employee perks and benefits.

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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.
• 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.

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.

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
• Division of Human Resources
• 109 E. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601