Job Title: Gardens & Arboretum Summer Assistant

Department: Facility Operations

Supervisor: Emma Martone

Starting Rate of Pay: $10.00

Length of Time: SUMMER ONLY

Department Description

The Mariana H. Qubein Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a collection of gardens and green spaces located at High Point University.  The gardens are a place of beauty and serenity for the campus community and are free and open to the public. There is a possibility of summer housing for students hired before April 7th.

Job Description

The Garden & Arboretum Assistant will assist the Gardens staff in beautification and maintenance of the gardens including but not limited to planting, pruning, mulching, and weeding.  The Gardens & Arboretum Assistant will normally work alongside staff but will sometimes be required to work independently on assigned tasks.  This position is for the summer of 2025, starting in mid-May and ending in mid-August.  The work assignment may be extended after evaluation at the end of the season.

Job Location/ Hours Required

The candidate will perform most job duties in the gardens throughout the campus. Work may include shifts at an off-campus locations such as HPU PT clinic community garden and greenhouse facility.  Transportation to these facilities can be provided if a candidate does not have their own vehicle.  Shifts may be canceled due to inclement weather or staff availability, however, there may be opportunities to make up missed hours within a pay period.

Please note that this position works entirely outdoors. Inclement weather that may cause a shift cancellation includes heavy rain, thunder, and snow, but does not include cold or hot temperatures unless they exceed a reasonably safe range.

The total number of hours a student employee may work per week is 25 hours. This position requires a minimum of 5 hours per week.  The schedule may be flexible.

Responsibilities:

• Assist Garden staff on maintenance of gardens, including planting, pulling weeds, pruning, and spreading mulch.
• Communicate with Gardens Coordinator & Horticulturists regarding daily shift assignments.
• Occasionally work in the off-site greenhouse performing tasks such as watering, planting seeds, weeding, and cleaning equipment

Required Qualifications:

• Willing to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
• Able to move over uneven and unpaved terrain
• Able to lift items of 25 lbs. consistently and 40 lbs. occasionally
• Able to kneel, bend, pull, and grasp
• Have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA
• Reliable and punctual
• Willing to learn about plant identification and horticultural practices

Desired Skills:

• Appreciate the beauty of nature and tend to horticulture tasks with attention to detail
• Disciplined and hard-working
• Ability to work independently
• Collaborative and works well with others