Horticulturist

Department: General Services Department

Salary: $57,726.00 - $82,981.69 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

In this dynamic role, the Horticulturalist will oversee three key program areas across multiple workgroups within the Landscape Management Division of General Services. The role involves applying expertise in landscape design to manage the city's median renovation program. As the designated Bee City Ambassador, the incumbent will ensure the city’s compliance with the national program and oversee the care of existing pollinator gardens. Additionally, the role includes contributing to environmental education programming to help engage the community. This position may require occasional evening and weekend work.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage the median and city properties/buildings renovation program, including project planning, design development, budget, and execution.

• Develop and prepare landscape construction specifications; review plans and contracts, and manage documentation for landscape-related work, including plant installation contracts.

• Lead and manage the Bee City certification program for the City of Charlotte, ensuring full compliance with program requirements.

• Supervise the maintenance and care of existing pollinator gardens located on city property, ensuring optimal health and growth.

• Designs and implements a citywide flower planting and maintenance program. 

• Provide leadership and guidance to landscape staff on projects, contractor performance, and horticultural best practices, ensuring high-quality results.

• Conduct plant inspections, document communications, and maintain detailed records of contractor performance, including invoices and work documentation.

• Educate staff and the public on the importance of pollinators and sustainable landscaping practices to promote environmental awareness.

• Collaborate effectively with city and state agencies, community organizations, homeowner groups, and private businesses to support landscaping and pollinator initiatives.

• Manage the plant holding nursery, ensuring proper care and storage of plants for future landscaping projects.

• Perform other related duties as required to support landscape and environmental initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of Landscape Architecture and Design: Comprehensive understanding of landscape planning, design principles, and sustainable practices, including pollinator-friendly landscaping.

• Expertise in Horticulture and Plant Care: In-depth knowledge of plant species, horticultural techniques, and soil management, particularly related to urban landscapes and pollinator gardens.

• Project Management Skills: Proven ability to manage and oversee multiple landscape renovation projects simultaneously, from planning and design to implementation and maintenance, ensuring timely and within-budget completion.

• Contract and Budget Management: Strong ability to review, negotiate, and manage landscape contracts, monitor budgets, and ensure cost-effective resource allocation and expenditure tracking.

• Bee City Certification Knowledge: In-depth understanding of Bee City USA certification requirements and ability to ensure program compliance, promoting environmental stewardship in urban settings.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, with experience educating and engaging staff, the public, and stakeholders on landscaping, pollinators, and environmental issues.

• Leadership: Proven leadership skills with the ability to guide and mentor landscape staff, resolve conflicts, and ensure high standards of performance in both staff and contractors.

• Collaboration and Relationship Building: Ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and businesses, to achieve program goals.

• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in landscape design software (prefer entry level design abilities in Adobe Creative Suite and/or AutoCAD drafting software), and Microsoft Office Suite; able to create project plans, specifications, and reports.

• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address challenges in landscape projects, contractor performance, or maintenance issues and implement effective solutions.

• Attention to Detail and Record Keeping: High attention to detail with the ability to maintain accurate records, including plant inspections, contractor performance, invoices, and project documentation.

• Environmental Awareness: Deep understanding of sustainable landscaping practices, pollinator conservation, and the environmental impacts of urban green spaces.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:    

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Botany, Biology, Forestry, Landscape Architecture, Plant Science, or a related field, with at least one year of relevant work experience;

• OR an Associate’s degree in Horticulture, Arboriculture, Forestry, or a related field, with two years of relevant experience;

• OR a High School diploma or equivalent, with five years of experience in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, work experience, and relevant industry certifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• N.C. Licensed Landscape Contractor or ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire

• ISA Certified Arborist or ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire

• NC Pesticide applicators license with Turf & Ornamentals, Right-of-Way, and Aquatics categories or ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email [email protected].

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.