The University of North Carolina System
019126-Greenhouse Production Manager
The University of North Carolina System, Asheville, North Carolina, us, 28814
Overview
Join a team that grows beauty, curiosity, and connection with nature every day. The Arboretum is seeking a passionate and skilled
Greenhouse Production Manager
to lead the operations of our greenhouse and nursery facilities. This role shapes living collections that inspire thousands of visitors each year through seasonal exhibits, educational displays, and community programs. The ideal candidate combines hands-on horticultural expertise with leadership, creativity, and a love for teaching and collaboration. As a key member of our mission-driven team, the Greenhouse Production Manager cultivates plants, supports education, and ensures a high standard of care for all visitors. The primary purpose of the Greenhouse Production Manager is to produce the bulk of herbaceous plant material used on the property, with the nursery supporting propagation of trees and shrubs. This work unit also maintains the perennial border, cut flower bed, interior plant scape management for the Visitor Education Center, Baker Exhibition Center, and the Support Facility, as well as curation of the Baker Exhibit Center Display Greenhouse. Duties include design conceptualization, installation, and upkeep, with additional involvement in special events and revenue-producing and educational experiences. The role targets production of plant material for daily retail and annual market sales. Responsibilities
Manage daily operations for the greenhouse and support facility, ensuring project goals for the greenhouse and nursery unit are met. Direct daily care for the plant collection; supervise greenhouse assistants (temporary and permanent) and volunteers. Schedule and project Arboretum plans, oversee greenhouse and nursery operations, and fulfill educational and public relations components involving the greenhouse and nursery. Assist the Education Department by providing workshops, lectures, and phone/email support; uphold information accuracy to support the Arboretum’s reputation. Horticulture Planning and Production
This position plans greenhouse crops relative to garden exhibit design and season. Responsibilities include research into varieties, collaboration with the Horticulture Department and garden designers, and planning plant production for interior scaping, Baker Exhibit Greenhouse, container gardens, and special events. Tasks include crop research, scheduling, production efficiency, and determining production methods (seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots, liners, or pre-finished plants). Primary duties also include selecting potting soil, fertilizer, containers, light and pesticide requirements, and ordering materials. The role oversees watering, daily visual plant inspection, and evaluation of cultural needs; conducts routine soil tests and plant diagnostics. It also entails identifying pests and using beneficial insects and bio-controls, maintaining a seed inventory, propagating from seeds and cuttings, operating two walk-in coolers with environmental greenhouse control, and curating an exhibit greenhouse with changing themes (planning, installation, interpretation, and daily oversight). The position may also provide floral arrangements for special events. Technical System Management
Responsibility for greenhouse security and operation, including alarm response, diagnosing issues, and system management for heating, cooling, screen operation, thermostats, and data logging. Maintain equipment, vehicles, floors, monitoring devices, relay stations, and sprayer systems. Design and install automatic watering systems and perform regular maintenance. Light maintenance of coolers, nursery buildings, air conditioning equipment, and cold frame structures is expected. Education & Outreach
Collaborate with industry partners to provide expertise, continuing education, and participation in conferences and symposiums. Plan and coordinate professional education with agencies, companies, and the public, including greenhouse tourists. Make presentations to media, garden clubs, professionals, visitors, plant societies, and board members. Respond to plant-related inquiries via web and phone. Include proper plant labeling for the Exhibit Greenhouse, floral arrangements, centerpiece baskets, and interior plants using Latin names. Interpretative information for the Exhibit Greenhouse is often required. Staff and Volunteer Supervision and Training
Organize and direct work of personnel from hiring to separation, including scheduling, short- and long-term planning, and staff meetings. Supervise and train permanent staff, temporary workers, and volunteers; develop work schedules including holiday and weekend watering duties and inclement weather support. Assign tasks, set deadlines, and establish performance standards aligned with organizational goals. Recommend department structure and manage job descriptions and responsibilities. Administration
Participate in budget development and management, purchasing, inventory, safety reviews, and Arboretum team programs. Manage financials, records, and expenditures; implement safety procedures, pesticide storage in compliance with NCDA and OSHA regulations, and emergency eyewash station maintenance. Provide staff training on pesticide handling and PPE, and pursue community partnerships for in-kind and monetary support. Support the Senior Director for Mission Delivery with annual seasonal landscape exhibits planning and plant selections. Required Competencies
Knowledge: Technical
— Proficient in crop scheduling, pesticides, fertilizers, soil mixes, watering labeling, transplanting, sowing, pruning, data entry, and equipment operation. Strong horticultural expertise and knowledge of nursery operations, propagation, and plant management. Experience with Integrated Pest Management preferred; willingness to explore solution-based techniques. Communication
— Excellent written and verbal skills for communication with industry leaders, education audiences, management, staff, volunteers, and the public. Ability to interpret chemical/fertilizer/pesticide labels for staff. Capable of professional negotiation and cross-department collaboration. Physical Environment and Abilities
— Ability to move up to 50 pounds occasionally and perform typical greenhouse activities (lifting soil, moving plants, climbing ladders, etc.). Exposure to sun, heat, humidity, and varying temperatures; significant time on hard surfaces; high level of concentration and attention to detail. About the Team
The Greenhouse Production Manager is responsible for producing the bulk of herbaceous plant material, supporting propagation of trees and shrubs, maintaining the perennial border and other interior plant scapes, and curating the Baker Exhibit Center Display Greenhouse. Daily and seasonal duties include participation in events and production for retail and market sales. Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in horticulture, crop science, or a closely related curriculum, and two years of greenhouse propagation and plant care experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Certification by the North Carolina Pesticide Board as a Licensed Pesticide Public Operator and a valid North Carolina driver’s license are required. Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
Management experience is preferred. All new supervisors must complete a three-day EEOC workshop as part of position training. Position Details
Classification:
Horticultural Specialist Position Competency Level:
Advanced Position Number:
UNCSO-A19126 Employment Type:
SHRA Appointment Type:
Permanent Full-Time/Part-Time:
Full-Time Salary Range:
48000-56650 Location:
100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 USA Posting Open Date:
10/6/2025 Posting Close Date:
10/20/2025 Equal Opportunity
The UNC System Office is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The UNC System Office is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Veterans’ preference may be claimed with DD Form 214 if applicable. E-Verify participation is required for employment. Contact
Human Resources: recruiter@northcarolina.edu
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Join a team that grows beauty, curiosity, and connection with nature every day. The Arboretum is seeking a passionate and skilled
Greenhouse Production Manager
to lead the operations of our greenhouse and nursery facilities. This role shapes living collections that inspire thousands of visitors each year through seasonal exhibits, educational displays, and community programs. The ideal candidate combines hands-on horticultural expertise with leadership, creativity, and a love for teaching and collaboration. As a key member of our mission-driven team, the Greenhouse Production Manager cultivates plants, supports education, and ensures a high standard of care for all visitors. The primary purpose of the Greenhouse Production Manager is to produce the bulk of herbaceous plant material used on the property, with the nursery supporting propagation of trees and shrubs. This work unit also maintains the perennial border, cut flower bed, interior plant scape management for the Visitor Education Center, Baker Exhibition Center, and the Support Facility, as well as curation of the Baker Exhibit Center Display Greenhouse. Duties include design conceptualization, installation, and upkeep, with additional involvement in special events and revenue-producing and educational experiences. The role targets production of plant material for daily retail and annual market sales. Responsibilities
Manage daily operations for the greenhouse and support facility, ensuring project goals for the greenhouse and nursery unit are met. Direct daily care for the plant collection; supervise greenhouse assistants (temporary and permanent) and volunteers. Schedule and project Arboretum plans, oversee greenhouse and nursery operations, and fulfill educational and public relations components involving the greenhouse and nursery. Assist the Education Department by providing workshops, lectures, and phone/email support; uphold information accuracy to support the Arboretum’s reputation. Horticulture Planning and Production
This position plans greenhouse crops relative to garden exhibit design and season. Responsibilities include research into varieties, collaboration with the Horticulture Department and garden designers, and planning plant production for interior scaping, Baker Exhibit Greenhouse, container gardens, and special events. Tasks include crop research, scheduling, production efficiency, and determining production methods (seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots, liners, or pre-finished plants). Primary duties also include selecting potting soil, fertilizer, containers, light and pesticide requirements, and ordering materials. The role oversees watering, daily visual plant inspection, and evaluation of cultural needs; conducts routine soil tests and plant diagnostics. It also entails identifying pests and using beneficial insects and bio-controls, maintaining a seed inventory, propagating from seeds and cuttings, operating two walk-in coolers with environmental greenhouse control, and curating an exhibit greenhouse with changing themes (planning, installation, interpretation, and daily oversight). The position may also provide floral arrangements for special events. Technical System Management
Responsibility for greenhouse security and operation, including alarm response, diagnosing issues, and system management for heating, cooling, screen operation, thermostats, and data logging. Maintain equipment, vehicles, floors, monitoring devices, relay stations, and sprayer systems. Design and install automatic watering systems and perform regular maintenance. Light maintenance of coolers, nursery buildings, air conditioning equipment, and cold frame structures is expected. Education & Outreach
Collaborate with industry partners to provide expertise, continuing education, and participation in conferences and symposiums. Plan and coordinate professional education with agencies, companies, and the public, including greenhouse tourists. Make presentations to media, garden clubs, professionals, visitors, plant societies, and board members. Respond to plant-related inquiries via web and phone. Include proper plant labeling for the Exhibit Greenhouse, floral arrangements, centerpiece baskets, and interior plants using Latin names. Interpretative information for the Exhibit Greenhouse is often required. Staff and Volunteer Supervision and Training
Organize and direct work of personnel from hiring to separation, including scheduling, short- and long-term planning, and staff meetings. Supervise and train permanent staff, temporary workers, and volunteers; develop work schedules including holiday and weekend watering duties and inclement weather support. Assign tasks, set deadlines, and establish performance standards aligned with organizational goals. Recommend department structure and manage job descriptions and responsibilities. Administration
Participate in budget development and management, purchasing, inventory, safety reviews, and Arboretum team programs. Manage financials, records, and expenditures; implement safety procedures, pesticide storage in compliance with NCDA and OSHA regulations, and emergency eyewash station maintenance. Provide staff training on pesticide handling and PPE, and pursue community partnerships for in-kind and monetary support. Support the Senior Director for Mission Delivery with annual seasonal landscape exhibits planning and plant selections. Required Competencies
Knowledge: Technical
— Proficient in crop scheduling, pesticides, fertilizers, soil mixes, watering labeling, transplanting, sowing, pruning, data entry, and equipment operation. Strong horticultural expertise and knowledge of nursery operations, propagation, and plant management. Experience with Integrated Pest Management preferred; willingness to explore solution-based techniques. Communication
— Excellent written and verbal skills for communication with industry leaders, education audiences, management, staff, volunteers, and the public. Ability to interpret chemical/fertilizer/pesticide labels for staff. Capable of professional negotiation and cross-department collaboration. Physical Environment and Abilities
— Ability to move up to 50 pounds occasionally and perform typical greenhouse activities (lifting soil, moving plants, climbing ladders, etc.). Exposure to sun, heat, humidity, and varying temperatures; significant time on hard surfaces; high level of concentration and attention to detail. About the Team
The Greenhouse Production Manager is responsible for producing the bulk of herbaceous plant material, supporting propagation of trees and shrubs, maintaining the perennial border and other interior plant scapes, and curating the Baker Exhibit Center Display Greenhouse. Daily and seasonal duties include participation in events and production for retail and market sales. Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in horticulture, crop science, or a closely related curriculum, and two years of greenhouse propagation and plant care experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Certification by the North Carolina Pesticide Board as a Licensed Pesticide Public Operator and a valid North Carolina driver’s license are required. Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
Management experience is preferred. All new supervisors must complete a three-day EEOC workshop as part of position training. Position Details
Classification:
Horticultural Specialist Position Competency Level:
Advanced Position Number:
UNCSO-A19126 Employment Type:
SHRA Appointment Type:
Permanent Full-Time/Part-Time:
Full-Time Salary Range:
48000-56650 Location:
100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 USA Posting Open Date:
10/6/2025 Posting Close Date:
10/20/2025 Equal Opportunity
The UNC System Office is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The UNC System Office is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Veterans’ preference may be claimed with DD Form 214 if applicable. E-Verify participation is required for employment. Contact
Human Resources: recruiter@northcarolina.edu
#J-18808-Ljbffr