Job Description for the Gardener position. Review job description, requirements, and qualifications. Apply or register interest for the position.

Title: Gardener

Position Type: Staff Full-Time

Days Per Week: Monday - Friday

Hours Per Week: 40

VP Area: Finance and Administration

Department: Facilities Management

Position Summary

Gardeners are assigned to areas (zone) that they are responsible for the health and appearance of the landscape. The primary responsibilities are pruning, floral/shrub beds, preventative maintenance, spraying, and other landscape maintenance. This positions essential to the overall aesthetics that has been established at Elon University.

Benefits of Working at Elon

As an Elon University employee, you’ll join an internationally acclaimed university with a commitment to fostering a thriving community. Ranked among the most innovative, creative and best-run universities in the nation, Elon’s personal approach to education extends to employees, whose growth, professional development and success is a hallmark of our training and advancement opportunities.

Elon University’s home is the charming town of Elon, North Carolina, a small, friendly community located a short distance from the beach and the mountains, and among the vibrant cities of Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham. In addition to the beautiful canopy of historic oak trees iconic to our campus, you’ll find boundless opportunities for family-friendly recreation, cultural events and outdoor activities. Hiking, water sports, fine dining and entertainment are just a few of the many happenings in the Elon area, making the region one of the nation’s premier travel destinations.

Employees at Elon enjoy a generous and comprehensive benefits package that includes:

28 annual days off, including holidays and vacation.

Immediate tuition remission for undergraduate courses

Tuition remission for approved graduate-level courses after 12 months of employment.

Retirement plan with an 8 percent contribution from the university.

Immediate eligibility for health, dental and vision insurance, along with free acute care and lab services at our onsite Health & Wellness Clinic.

Free use of campus fitness facilities.

Free admission to musical and theater performances, guest speakers, religious and ethnic observances, recitals, art exhibitions, entertainment and our Division I Phoenix athletics.

Eligibility for tuition remission at Elon for spouses, qualifying domestic partners and dependents begins at two years of service. After two years of employment, eligibility begins for participation in the Tuition Exchange, a national scholarship exchange program that enables dependents to enroll in nationally recognized partner colleges and universities.

Elon values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences and perspectives of our community members. As an equal opportunity employer, Elon’s principles of diversity extend to race and gender identity, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and other aspects of one’s identity. At Elon, our employees respect human differences, passion for lifelong learning, emphasis on personal integrity and an ethic of service.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED with Other of experience

Preferred Education and Experience

Associate degree, vocational, or technical school degree in Horticulture plus two (2) years' experience or related field. Or four year's experience in horticulture or related field.

Required Other Training, Certifications, or Licensing

Must have a valid North Carolina driver's license and insurable by the University's Carrier. Must possess NC Pesticide License or acquire within six (6) months of being hired.

Job Duties

• A gardener is responsible for maintaining the health and appearance of all the floral, shrub, and beds areas within their assigned areas.  This shall include but not limited to chemical applications, weed removal, fertilization, watering, pruning, removal of dead plant material, and litter pickup responsibilities.
• Gardeners are assigned a number of tasks according to the time of year and additional responsibilities delegated by the manager. Tasks range from landscape renovation, fertility program, ground repair, pressure washing, and mulching.
• Gardeners will assist with installation and maintenance of annual and perennial flower beds, as well as plant replacements.  They will document the plant materials in their assigned zone areas and generate a list of replacement plants annually. 
• Perform scheduled maintenance activities to include but not limited to the support of special events, projects, conferences, and other activities hosted on the campus of Elon University.

Special Instructions to Applicants: The position is part of the Elon Emergency Response team and is required to be available to assist with preparation, throughout, and after inclement weather events. This is not limited to only inclement weather events, but all University emergency events. There is assigned evenings and weekend work from time to time.