Greenhouse Manager - #003230

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
* 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
* 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
* 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
* 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

The primary location of this position is on the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

The primary purpose of this position is: to serve as a working supervisor; to provide supervision and technical guidance to 4 full-time employees and 4-8 part-time student workers. These employees are engaged in: greenhouse crop production; color bed installation and maintenance; a full range of preventive and ongoing grounds maintenance programs, related landscape repairs, landscape plant installation projects and landscape construction; general construction support for other Facilities Management trades. Position serves as the working manager of the University's greenhouse complex which includes approx. 6400 sq. ft. of greenhouses, 5500 sq. ft. of protective structures and cold frames. Position is responsible for the selection and propagation of up to 1,000,000 seeds per year for utilizing in color beds designed by this employee. This work includes seed sowing, propagation, transplanting, fertilization, chemical control applications and watering. Propagation of plugs, bare-root, bulbs, cuttings and foliage plant maintenance is carried out in the facility as well. Understanding plant growth and development is critical in order to have color plants ready for installation in the 10+ acres of color beds on campus at the proper times. Work also includes general repair and upkeep of these facilities. Position manages the employees in the installation of new landscape planting and color bed installation projects on campus. Position coordinates the layout of foliage plant set ups for special events and activities at various venues on campus. All the above tasks are carried out while performing and supervising the day in and day out routine grounds maintenance tasks in assigned area of campus and at Chancellors residence as well as special event set-ups. Will serve as a snow crew leader.

Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Extensive knowledge and experience is mandatory in the standards, practices, procedures and methods of horticultural crop production and landscape installation and maintenance on a large scale. Employee must have ability to: follow oral and written instructions; read and follow landscape plans and specifications; perform as a working supervisor in all noted job tasks; manage multiple employees performing varying tasks and responsibilities at the same time. Extensive horticultural crop production experience is mandatory in the operation and management of a large commercial greenhouse facility for the production of annual/perennial plants including but not limited to seed sowing and germination; recognition of greenhouse diseases and insects and the knowledge to know proper control methods; ability and knowledge to manage multiple crop development. Extensive proven experience in the planning/design/installation/maintenance of multiple large color beds is mandatory. This requires knowledge to identify and utilize color plants (annuals/perennials/bulbs) correctly to create pleasing displays. Experience is required in general landscape plant installation and maintenance on a large scale including knowledge/ability to operate related equipment. Experience in general landscape and grounds maintenance on a large scale including the operation of related equipment. Proven experience in the management of multiple employees in: performing varying tasks at the same time; personnel issues; scheduling work activities for completing set deadlines; scheduling proper seed sowing/planting to achieve color bed installation timeline; Valid North Carolina driver's license is required. Public or Commercial Operator Pesticide License or ability to obtain within 6 months of hiring is required to maintain employment.

Applicants must apply online in order to be considered.

Please include a cover letter, current resume, and a list of three professional references (with complete contact information).

Applicants must upload a DD-214 if claiming Veteran's Preference.

PLEASE COMPLETE ALL AREAS OF THE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW PROCESS.

If no applicants apply, who meet the required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities/Competencies and Training and Experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants.

All new hires into positions subject to the State Human Resources Act ( SHRA) will serve a 12 month probationary period as defined by the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources ( OSHR).

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.