Summer Employment Opportunities at the Highlands Botanical Garden Botanical Garden Assistants
Wage: $290 / week, free group housing, and possible college internship credit. Hours: Full-time, temporary (40 hours per week, no overtime or benefits available), position is from mid-May through mid-August, but specific dates can be somewhat flexible. Description: Botanical Garden Assistants maintain gardens, trails, boardwalks, and bridges throughout the Station, and helps to identify, label, and maintain native plant species. This position may include working with the public to interpret the natural history of local plants and assisting with identification of native plant species. This job may involve heavy lifting (no more than 50 lbs.) and will sometimes involve working alone and in rainy weather. Occasionally, the individual will be asked to assist other Station employees in the office, library, or Nature Center. The successful applicant must be able to trim, cut, and pile brush; use a shovel, hoe, wheel barrow, and other garden tools; to do general gardening and trail repairs; help with mowing and other lawn maintenance on the campus; learn to identify wildflowers; collect and mount plant specimens; learn to make plant labels; and help researchers as required. Qualifications: Applicants should be majors (or recent graduates) in biology, botany, horticulture, or some other environmental science. The ideal candidate should have training and/or experience in field botany and landscaping, and good skills in dealing with people. Familiarity with southern Appalachian plant species and with horticultural practices is desirable. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a valid drivers license. Non-smokers are preferred. To apply: A State of North Carolina job application (PD107) MUST be completed (available on website). Send application, cover letter, and a list of 3 references to Cyndi Banks, Highlands Biological Station, 265 N. Sixth Street, Highlands NC 28741. Applications must be received by March 30, 2011. For more information, please call 828-526-0188 or visit www.wcu.edu/hbs.
