Horticultural Specialist

Overview

The NC State University Facilities Division is home to nearly 900 professionals who plan
, build and maintain the spaces that foster an environment where innovation, learning, and community thrive. Through this work, we help create spaces that empower students, faculty, and staff to reach their full potential. Operating year-round, we manage more than 16.7 million gross square feet of built space and oversee 4,733 acres of campus infrastructure through a series of core departments, each composed of multiple specialized units:

• Design & Construction
• Business Operations
• Campus Operations and Maintenance
• Campus Planning and Strategic Investment

Whether responding to a maintenance request, shaping future facilities or creating spaces that inspire discovery, our team is grounded in excellence, service and stewardship.

Join the pack and become part of one of the largest and most respected employers in the state, helping shape the future of our campus community. Take a look below to see what we offer!

As a Pack member,
you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits,
Wellness & Recreation Membership
, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer:
Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

The Horticultural Specialist plays a vital role in enhancing and sustaining the beauty, health, and variation of plant life across the university campus
. This position provides technical expertise, hands-on training, and leadership in applied horticultural sciences while supporting high-quality landscape installation, maintenance, and plant care practices. Working collaboratively with campus partners, the Horticultural Specialist ensures compliance with standards and best practices, contributing to a welcoming and vibrant campus environment.

This is an exciting opportunity for a knowledgeable and passionate horticulture professional who enjoys mentoring others, applying scientific principles in the field, and making a lasting impact on a dynamic university landscape. If you are motivated by teamwork, stewardship, and excellence in campus environments, we encourage you to apply and join a team dedicated to cultivating a thriving campus community.

• Provide Hands-On Technical Instruction in applied horticultural sciences to improve plant care, turf management, and landscape installation techniques for departmental staff.
• Act as a training resource based on in-depth knowledge and experience in landscape installation and maintenance practices (e.g., proper tree/shrub planting, mulching, soil amendments).
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex plant, turf, erosion, and stormwater issues, including monitoring and identifying diseased plants and analyzing test results to implement corrective solutions.
• Prepare and oversee all aspects of the landscape watering and warranty program.
• Physically work as a lead during landscape installations and Stormwater Control Measure (SCM) maintenance activities.
• Schedule and oversee project turnovers with the planner upon completion.
• Assist with SCM maintenance, inspections, and weed management.
• Coordinate with Landscape Construction Services (LCS) leadership to inspect materials upon delivery to job sites and schedule necessary equipment for installations and watering.
• Document all chemical applications, including those for SCMs.
• Serve as a potential liaison to regulatory agencies such as the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to ensure compliance with state and local regulations.
• Develop and maintain historical data on all projects for five years.
• Adhere to and promote all campus safety standards and assist…