Horticulturist

Job Description

Under general supervision, the Horticulturist will perform horticultural duties for the purpose of beautifying and maintaining gardens, exhibits, animal habitats, plant collections, and/or public displays. This position reports to the Horticulture Operations Supervisor and Horticulture Design & Operations Manager.

About Us

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to more than 3,000 magnificent and fascinating animals and one of the nation’s most beautiful and inspiring botanical gardens. The Zoo first opened its gates to the local community on April 25, 1974, and has continued for five decades to provide individuals, families and groups with a common place to connect with and learn about the world’s wildlife and wild places. Today Riverbanks is one of the largest mid-sized zoos in the United States and South Carolina’s leading destination attraction, boasting a national reputation as one of America’s best zoos and drawing over one million visitors annually.

In June 1995 Riverbanks Botanical Garden opened to the public. The extraordinary garden blooms year-round with more than 5,700 species of native and exotic plants and provides a living classroom for gardeners and non-gardeners alike. The formal Walled Garden offers a picture-perfect location for weddings and special events. 2016 brought the opening of Waterfall Junction, a 3-acre interactive children’s garden within the Botanical Garden that inspires exploration, imagination and nature play with tree houses, a dinosaur bone dig, splash zones and plenty of room to roam.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973, Riverbanks is also the site of structural remains dating back to the early 1800s with South Carolina’s textile industry and the Civil War. Historic ruins can be seen from various locations along the footbridge linking the Zoo and Garden.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintains assigned areas to ensure plant health and the upkeep of plant collections.
• Assists with the installation and seasonal rotation of botanical displays.
• Operates and maintains various horticultural tools and equipment including power machinery.
• Works both independently and with a team on a variety of tasks and priorities.
• Demonstrates creativity and teamwork.
• Some computer work for plant data entry.
• Lifts or moves up to 50 lbs.
• Works year-round in all weather conditions.

Education and Experience

Associate degree in Horticulture, bachelor’s degree preferred, with two years’ experience in a horticultural area; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities. The ideal candidate will have professional horticulture experience and be eager to learn about our collection. Scheduled working hours begin between 6:00am-7:00am, Monday-Friday, 40-hour work week. Must possess or be eligible for a valid SC driver’s license.

We’re not just looking for someone to fill a role. We’re looking for someone who wants to grow with us, be challenged, and take pride in the work they do. If you’re passionate about creating one-of-a-kind landscapes, are eager to contribute, and excited about becoming part of a team that values creating connections and inspiring action to positively impact wildlife and wild places, we’d love to hear from you!

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should go to our website, https://www.riverbanks.org/join-our-team/ to review a full description of roles you’re interested in and to complete your application.