Seasonal Contract Gardener

Job Description

The United States Golf Association (USGA) is seeking an experienced and environmentally responsible Contract Gardener to steward specialty gardens, native plantings, and pollinator-focused landscapes across the USGA campus in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Golf House Pinehurst is a newly-opened property that sits on a 6.7-acre parcel and includes 2 buildings – a 26,000 square foot testing and administration building and an 18,000 square foot Museum – the USGA Experience & World Golf Hall of Fame. The Museum is open to the visiting public 7 days a week. The property includes 3.5 acres of adjacent outdoor landscape and gardens, as well as parking facilities

This role is intentionally distinct from the contracted landscape maintenance vendor and focuses on horticultural expertise, plant health, sustainability practices, and quality oversight, rather than routine grounds maintenance. The Contract Gardener serves as the campus subject-matter expert for native plants, ecological horticulture, and high-visibility garden spaces within a high-profile, carefully maintained campus environment.

About Us

The United States Golf Association (USGA) is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game’s best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf’s future, with a focus on driving sustainability, accessibility and inclusion. As a nonprofit association, our work and our team are driven to act for the good of the game. The USGA’s headquarters are located in Liberty Corner, NJ, with a recently opened campus in Pinehurst, NC. For more, visit usga.org.

Duties & Responsibilities

Garden Maintenance (Primary Ownership)
• Maintain and steward gardens of NC native plants, perennials, shrubs, and select trees across campus.
• Manage soil health through mulching, composting, organic amendments, and erosion control.
• Hand-water specialty beds, planters, and feature areas as needed.
• Monitor irrigation performance and coordinate with facilities or vendors for system adjustments (not primary system maintenance).
• Observe plant–pollinator interactions and adapt care strategies accordingly.
• Plan and execute appropriate seasonal plantings for the garden and containers.
• Maintain organic-loc pathways around the event lawn and pollinator garden to ensure safe and visually polished circulation.
• Collaborate on oversight of two autonomous mowers in turf areas of the campus.

Plant Health & Ecological Care
• Monitor plant health and diagnose stress, disease, or pest issues using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
• Implement non-chemical and low-impact treatments where intervention is required.
• Maintain records related to plant health observations, treatments, and improvements.
• Ensure all gardening practices align with pollinator-safe and environmentally responsible standards.

Vendor Coordination & Quality Oversight (Non-Performing Role)
• Partner with the contracted landscape maintenance vendor to:
o Communicate expectations for sustainability, plant protection, and presentation standards
o Identify issues requiring follow-up or correction
• Provide on-site quality oversight communicating any issues for resolution to the USGA team.

Out of Scope (Handled by Landscape Vendor)
• Routine turf mowing and edging
• Broad campus pruning and tree work
• Large-scale mulching or seasonal cutbacks
• Snow removal and general grounds maintenance

Education and Experience

• Degree, certification, or equivalent experience in horticulture or related field
• Demonstrated experience with North Carolina native plants or native perennial gardens
• Experience working on campuses, estates, botanical gardens, or high-end landscapes
• Strong working knowledge of:
o Plant identification and physiology
o Soil health and organic amendments
o Water-use efficiency
o Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
o Pollinator habitat support
• Ability to perform physical work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Organized, proactive, and detail-oriented
• Comfortable working independently while collaborating with vendors and internal teams
• Valid driver’s license

Additional Information

Work Schedule & Compensation
• Full-Time Contract Position
• Companies may reach out to bid this as a focused service contract with consistent assigned personnel
• Competitive contract rate, commensurate with experience

Application Instructions

How to Apply
Please submit a resume, relevant certifications, and a brief statement outlining your experience with North Carolina native plants and ecological horticulture to: Christine Campbell, ccampbell@usga.org.