Grounds Worker

Natural and Cultural Resources; North Carolina; On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Zoo, operated by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is seeking a Seasonal Grounds Worker to support the Horticulture Division. You will help care for plant collections across multiple regions and perform planting, mowing, mulching, pruning, and general landscape maintenance to enhance guest experience and animal well-being.

Located at 4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC.

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds or horticulture-related work including planting, pruning, landscape maintenance, weed control, or care of plant collections in public gardens or parks.

Responsibilities

• Receive and place plants in holding areas, potting, heeling-in, labeling and transport plants to designated locations.
• Prepare sites by removing rocks, tilling soil, and adding amendments using hand tools and carts.
• Install plants and water them to complete projects.
• Remove damaged, diseased, unsafe, or overgrown plant material.
• Assist with pruning tasks to prevent hazards and support plant health.
• Identify and determine appropriate control methods for undesirable, invasive, or toxic weeds.
• Perform weed control using hand tools and herbicides while ensuring safety of animals and guests.
• Monitor public areas to protect plant collections and ensure safe visitor behavior.

Skills

Horticulture experience

Planting

Pruning

Weed control

Education

Two years education/experience in grounds or horticulture

Job description

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) takes care of the things that people love about North Carolina. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. The Department’s vision is to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational, and economic future of North Carolina. Everyone is welcome. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

Description of Work

The North Carolina Zoo is expanding, making this an exciting opportunity to join our team. We are seeking a dedicated, hardworking, and enthusiastic individual to serve as a Seasonal Grounds Worker within our Horticulture Division. In this role, the Seasonal Grounds Worker supports the Zoo’s horticulture mission by helping care for and maintain plant collections across the park’s North America region, Africa region, and interior habitats such as the Desert, Streamside, browse gardens, butterfly areas, and greenhouses. Grounds Workers assist with planting, mowing, mulching, pruning, cultivation, fertilizing, watering, and general landscape maintenance. They also help ensure safe, attractive, and ecologically accurate environments that support both guest experience and animal well‑being.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive and place plants in appropriate holding areas using proper potting, heeling‑in, and labeling techniques, and transport plants to designated locations using plans, lists, and Zoo vehicles.
• Prepare sites by removing rocks, tilling soil, and adding amendments using hand tools and carts.
• Use proper cultivation practices, install plants, and water them to complete assigned projects.
• Remove damaged, diseased, unsafe, or overgrown plant material using hand tools and accepted horticultural techniques.
• Assist with pruning tasks to prevent hazards, maintain plant health, and support aesthetic goals, including preparing necessary tools and equipment.
• Identify and determine appropriate control methods for undesirable, invasive, or toxic weeds.
• Perform weed control using hand removal, tools, and herbicides while ensuring the safety of animals, guests, and staff.
• Monitor public areas to protect plant collections and ensure safe visitor behavior.
• Answer questions and provide information to guests as needed.
• Build constructive working relationships characterized by cooperation, respect, and teamwork.
• Follow established safety practices, check work areas daily for hazards, and return tools and equipment to proper storage.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities / Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $17.00 per hour

• Applicants who possess the following are preferred: Management Prefers Experience in grounds or horticulture‑related work, including but not limited to planting, pruning, landscape maintenance, weed control, or assisting with the care of plant collections in public gardens, parks, or similar environments.

Position & Physical Requirements

Ability to work in extreme weather conditions typical to Central NC (heat, rain, or cold).

Ability to use radio, telephone, and computer to communicate and follow written and verbal instructions.

Possesses sufficient cognitive ability, auditory and visual acuity, and communication skills to perform essential duties and follow general safety practices.

Must be able to work in a variety of physical positions, including sitting, climbing, bending, reaching, balancing, standing, walking, and lifting or carrying up to 50 lbs.

Must have the ability to navigate paved as well as rough or uneven pathways.

Must be willing and able to work varied shifts, including occasional weekends and adverse‑weather assignments.

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Must meet DNCR Fleet Safety Guidelines and have the ability to obtain and maintain a valid U.S. driver’s license or obtain one within 90 days of employment.

Perform other duties as assigned.

This position is located at: 4401 Zoo Parkway Asheboro, NC 27205.

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. Education and/or experience in grounds or horticulture work that is directly related to the position and consistent with accepted practices of the trade, equivalent to two years of experience in planting, cultivation, and the care of shrubs, trees, plants, and grasses; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. If there are no qualified candidates remaining in the applicant pool who meet the minimum Education and Experience or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position, the agency may consider for this position a trainee who does not meet the minimum requirements. Salary for a trainee may be set at a lower level than the classification salary range and recruitment range that is listed in the posting with the salary being adjusted up accordingly as the trainee has obtained the necessary additional education and experience to fully meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in the classification specification.

Division Description

The North Carolina Zoological Park exists for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of all our citizens and visitors. The mission of the zoo is to conserve and protect representative examples of natural beauty, endangered and threatened plant and animal species, and ecological features of the continents it represents. Learn about the NC ZOO: https://www.nczoo.org

EEO Statement

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job‑related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence. We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.

All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.