Open Positions at HBS
Associate Director
Hours: Permanent Full-Time
Description: The Associate Director is a vital no. 2 management position at Highlands Biological Station. The AD assists the Executive Director and other staff in all facets of Station administration, including but not limited to laboratory management and operations, program planning, budget oversight, staff supervision, grant-writing, and other efforts aimed at programmatic and institutional advancement.
Qualifications: Graduate degree, MS or PhD (preferred) in ecological, organismic, or evolutionary biology. The successful candidate will be capable of taking on administrative responsibilities related to programmatic and lab planning and management, possess excellent organizational and communication skills, and work effectively with diverse personalities and constituencies (colleagues, faculty, students, researchers, Board members, volunteers, community, et al.).
To apply: http://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/10484
Horticultural Technician
Hours: Permanent Full-Time
Description: The Horticultural Technician will be responsible for the maintenance of the gardens and grounds of the 23-acre Highlands Biological Station, to include the historical Highlands Botanical Garden, demonstration gardens, lawns and planting beds around buildings, natural areas, and other areas currently defined or that may be defined on the property. The Horticultural Technician is also responsible for monitoring and upkeep of walkways, trails, boardwalks, and driveways on the HBS campus, being alert to safety hazards (downed limbs, ice and snow, etc.). The diverse native plant collections of the HBS gardens and grounds are valuable assets used for public enjoyment, conservation, and education. They should be maintained using sustainable best practices, nurtured and kept in excellent condition, commensurate with the reputation of the Highlands Biological Station and Foundation. The Horticultural Technician develops protocols for ongoing maintenance and care of gardens, grounds, and tools and other equipment as needed. The Horticultural Technician will report to the Director of the Biological Station or the Director’s assigns, and in certain situations will work with the HBS Facilities Manager and other staff members as projects or needs dictate. The Horticultural Technician supervises two summer Botanical Garden Interns annually, and is expected to work cooperatively with the HBS Botanical Garden Committee and other volunteers.
Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalency and demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Must have excellent horticultural / landscape maintenance, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. A minimum of three to five years of horticultural or related experience is a plus. Must be capable of working independently or as part of a team, as needed. Maintaining positive working relationships with colleagues, interns, volunteers, as well as an excellent rapport with diverse HBS users and visitors (students, faculty, researchers) and the general public is necessary. Must be able to operate tools, vehicles, and equipment required for use by the needs of the position. A valid driver’s license is required. A degree in horticulture or botany is preferred, and knowledge and expertise with native plants is a plus.May require North Carolina Pesticide License and/or North Carolina Commercial Driver’s License. NC Pesticide License required within 6 months of employment
To apply: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/10536
Paid Internship Positions
- Assistant Naturalist at the Highlands Nature Center
- Non-Profit Administrative Internship
- Botanical Garden Assistant
Please apply by March 1, 2019
Summer Internships
Assistant Naturalist Internship
Wage: $300/week ($7.50/hr), free group housing, and possible college internship credit. There is also an unpaid internship position that will still have access to the group housing and college credit.
Hours: Full-time, seasonal (40 hours per week, no overtime or benefits available, Saturdays and some evenings required), position dates are May 10 – Aug 10 but flexibility may be possible.
Description: Assistant Naturalist interns help with daily operations of the Highlands Nature Center. Primary duties include working with the public to interpret the natural history of the southern Appalachians and related Nature Center exhibits, answering questions about local natural areas and recreational opportunities, actively developing and presenting several environmentally-based educational programs for diverse audiences, and serving as co-counselor for a series of Nature Day Camps for children ages 4 to 14. Staff will also assist with the implementation of weekly special evening programs for the public. Work also involves the feeding, cleaning, general care, and interpretation of live animal exhibits (mainly reptiles and amphibians). Other general duties include word processing; maintaining program schedules; participant registration; handling money; and cleaning and maintaining exhibits, the Nature Center, and animal enclosures on a daily basis. Summer staff may also be occasionally asked to assist other Station employees in the office, maintenance shop, or Botanical Garden. These jobs may include heavy lifting (≤ 50 lbs). Assistant Naturalists work a 40-hour week, but the schedule will require flexibility including weekend and some evening work.
Qualifications: Applicants should be students (or recent graduates) with a major in biology, zoology, botany, environmental science, science education, outdoor recreation, or other related fields. Proficiency in dealing with the public is a must. Ideal candidates should have experience working with children; familiarity with a variety of environmental education programs such as Project WILD; experience in a museum, visitor’s center, camp, or similar setting; and experience handling and caring for animals. Knowledge of the flora and fauna of the southern Appalachians is very desirable. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a valid driver’s license, and be in good physical condition to lead hikes. Willingness to work a flexible schedule is a must.
To apply: A State of North Carolina job application (PD107) MUST be completed (link below). In addition to the NC application, send a cover letter, resume, and list of 3 references to Charlotte Muir, charlotte@highlandsbiological.org
Applications must be received by March 1, 2019. For additional information please call 828-526-2221.
Non-Profit Administrative Internship
Wage: $300/week ($7.50/hr), free group housing, and possible college internship credit.
Hours: Full-time, seasonal (40 hours per week, no overtime or benefits available, some weekends and some evenings required), position dates are May 10 – Aug 10 but flexibility may be possible.
Description: Non-profit administrative intern will help with daily operations of the Highlands Biological Foundation and the Highlands Nature Center. Primary duties include administrating summer nature camps, Foundation events, marketing support and fundraising activities. Staff will also assist with the implementation of weekly special evening programs for the public including weekly Zahner Conservation Lectures. Staff will be essential part of event team for summer fundraising Soiree. Other general duties include word processing; maintaining program schedules; preparing marketing mailers; participant registration; handling money; data support; and social media. Staff may also be occasionally asked to assist other Station employees in the office, maintenance shop, or Botanical Garden. These jobs may include heavy lifting (≤ 50 lbs). Non-profit intern will work a 40-hour week, but the schedule will require flexibility including some weekend and some evening work. This position is unique in that the intern will split time between the Foundation and Nature Center, which will offer a great experience in non-profit administration.
Qualifications: Applicants should be students (or recent graduates) with a major interest in non-profit administration with a focus in science or education. Proficiency in dealing with the public is a must. Ideal candidates should have experience working with children; familiarity with a variety of environmental education programs; experience in a museum, visitor’s center, camp, or similar setting. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a valid driver’s license, and be in good physical condition to lead hikes. Willingness to work a flexible schedule is a must.
To apply: A State of North Carolina job application (PD107) MUST be completed (link below). In addition to the NC application, send a cover letter, resume, and list of 3 references to Charlotte Muir, charlotte@highlandsbiological.org
Applications must be received by March 1, 2019. For additional information please call 828-526-2221.
Botanical Garden Assistant
Wage: $300 per week ($7.50 /hr), free group housing, and possible college internship credit.
Hours: Full-time, seasonal (40 hours per week, no overtime or benefits available), position is from mid-May through mid-August, with specific dates to be determined.
Description: Supervised by the HBS Botanical Garden horticulturist, the Botanical Garden Assistants will assist in identification, labeling, and maintenance of more than 450 native plant species and will help to maintain the grounds and gardens, trails, boardwalks, and bridges throughout the 22-acre campus. This position will include working with the HBS Botanical Garden Committee, a volunteer group, and working with the public to interpret the natural history of local plants and identify native plant species within the garden. Interns will develop and lead weekly garden tours. Interns will identify a project of special interest, work with the staff to accomplish the project, and give a presentation on his/her project at the end of the internship. Interns will spend 10 hours/week on the garden tours and their projects, and 30 hours/week on garden maintenance. This job may involve heavy lifting (no more than 50 lbs.) and will sometimes involve working without supervision and in rainy weather. Occasionally, the individual may be asked to assist other Station employees in the office, library, or Nature Center or with special events.
The successful applicant must be able to trim, cut, and pile brush; use a shovel, hoe, and other garden tools, as well as a wheel barrow, to do general gardening and trail repairs; help with lawn mowing and lawn maintenance on the campus; learn to identify wildflowers; collect and mount plant specimens; learn to make plant labels; and assist others as required.
To apply: A State of North Carolina job application (PD107) MUST be completed (available below at the bottom of the page; there is no vacancy number – please write in the name of the position). Send application, cover letter, resume, and a list of 3 references to Chan Chandler at ltchandler
Qualifications: Applicants should be students (or recent graduates) with a major in biology, botany, horticulture, or some other environmental science. The ideal candidate should have training and/or experience in field botany, landscaping, and working with the public. Familiarity with southern Appalachian plant species and with horticultural practices is desirable. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a valid driver’s license. Non-smokers are preferred.
Applications must be received by March 1, 2019. For additional information please call 828-526-2221.