Job Opportunities

Botanical Garden Assistant – Highlands Biological Station

Highlands Biological Station

Highlands Biological Station is seeking motivated individuals to join our team as Botanical Garden Assistants. Reporting to the Horticultural Specialist, assistants will play a key role in maintaining and enhancing the beauty and functionality of our 24-acre campus, which features trails, boardwalks, bridges, and over 450 native plant species.

Responsibilities include:

  • Maintaining gardens, trails, boardwalks, and bridges.
  • Assisting with the identification, record-keeping, and care of native plant species.
  • Engaging with volunteer groups and the public to interpret the natural history of the local ecology and identify native plants within the garden.
  • Participating in project planning and execution to enhance garden spaces and natural areas.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable career experience in horticulture, ecological interpretation, and natural area management.

Benefits:

  • Hands-on learning in a unique ecological setting.
  • The option of free on-site shared housing for the summer.

If you are passionate about native plants, ecological education, and working outdoors, this position offers a meaningful and rewarding experience.

Read full description and apply HERE.

Education Specialist – Highlands Biological Foundation

Highlands Biological Foundation

The Education Specialist is essential to the success of HBF’s programs. Primary responsibilities are the staffing and management of the Nature Center including its Animal Ambassadors (mostly amphibians and reptiles) and planning and presenting daily and weekly public programs (PreK-senior citizens). This position is also lead educator for teen and adult programming throughout the year.

Read full description and apply HERE.

Highlands Nature Center: Summer Naturalists

Highlands Biological Foundation

The Highlands Biological Foundation is recruiting four Summer Naturalists to support our summer programming at the Highlands Nature Center. As part of a temperate rainforest at the southern edge of the Appalachians, the Highlands Nature Center is part of the Highlands Biological Station, a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University. 

Read full description and apply HERE.

Volunteer Opportunities at HBS 

We have lots of volunteer opportunities at the Station! If you have specific interests that are not listed below, please email the Program Assistant to discuss potential opportunities.

All volunteers are required to complete a Volunteer Application, WCU Volunteer Agreement, and COVID release. Please fill them out completely and drop them off at the HBS Main Office or email them to hbs@wcu.edu.

Botanical Garden Volunteers

Highlands Botanical Garden needs you — join our intrepid and dedicated group of volunteers!  All levels of experience are welcome — come learn about gardening and landscaping with native plants, or just share your passion for gardening or native plant conservation. Wednesdays are regular volunteer work days, but any schedule can be accommodated.

Adopt-a-Garden Program

Our Adopt-a-Garden program is designed to give volunteers the opportunity to “adopt” one of our many garden areas, such as the Bog Garden, Azalea Walk, or Pollinator Garden. Volunteers would be in charge of tending to their assigned garden each week under the direction of the Horticultural Specialist. Trail maintenance opportunities are available too.

Group Workdays

For more information on volunteering as a group, please email us at hbs@wcu.edu.