Ruppert Landscape Maintenance is seeking dedicated Horticulturists for our Raleigh, North Carolina operations. As a Horticulturist, you’ll care for and maintain landscapes through direct plant material and soil health management. This hands-on position applies horticultural knowledge in the field, inspecting plant health, diagnosing pest and disease issues, performing treatments, and ensuring landscapes remain healthy, vibrant, and sustainable throughout the seasons.
About Ruppert Landscape — Commercial Landscape Leader
Company Heritage: Privately held commercial landscape maintenance and construction company based in Maryland
Geographic Reach: Multi-state presence with small company feel and culture
Mission Focus: Providing opportunities for people, caring for customers, stewarding environment
Service Excellence: Comprehensive landscape maintenance and construction services
Company Values: Community commitment and environmental stewardship
Horticulturist Role — Plant Care & Health Focus
Primary Focus: Direct plant material care and soil health management for commercial landscapes
Field Operations: Hands-on horticultural tasks and landscape maintenance
Plant Health: Diagnosing and treating plant diseases, pests, and environmental issues
Seasonal Care: Implementing seasonal maintenance programs and sustainable practices
Horticulturist Position Overview
The Horticulturist position at Ruppert Landscape offers a rewarding hands-on career in commercial landscape maintenance and plant care. You’ll play a key role in maintaining healthy, vibrant landscapes through direct tending to plant material, soil, and turf health. This position requires applying horticultural expertise in the field, conducting landscape inspections, diagnosing plant health issues, performing treatments, and implementing seasonal care programs. Your work directly impacts the beauty and health of commercial properties across North Carolina.
As a Horticulturist, you’ll work year-round in varying weather conditions, performing tasks such as planting, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, weeding, and soil amendment. You’ll diagnose and treat insect and disease issues, assist with tree and shrub installation, maintain equipment, and support crew training. This position combines scientific horticultural knowledge with practical field skills to ensure long-term landscape health and sustainability.
Why This Role Matters: As Horticulturist at Ruppert Landscape, you ensure landscape health and sustainability for commercial properties, apply horticultural expertise protecting plant investments, diagnose and treat plant health issues preventing damage, implement integrated pest management reducing chemical use, develop season-specific care programs, advance career with landscape leader, and contribute to environmental stewardship and community beautification.
Key Responsibilities & Horticultural Duties
Landscape Inspections & Plant Health Monitoring
- Perform routine inspections of landscapes to monitor overall plant health conditions
- Assess soil conditions and evaluate irrigation system efficiency
- Identify early signs of plant stress, disease, or pest infestations
- Document plant health observations and treatment records accurately
- Report findings to management and recommend appropriate interventions
Pest & Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnose pest, disease, and environmental issues affecting plant material
- Apply appropriate horticultural treatments for identified problems
- Implement integrated pest management strategies reducing chemical applications
- Treat insect infestations, fungal diseases, and environmental plant stress
- Select and apply treatments according to environmental best practices
Horticultural Field Tasks
- Carry out planting of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals with proper techniques
- Perform pruning operations maintaining plant shape and health
- Apply fertilizers according to soil testing and plant requirements
- Mulch beds and manage soil amendments for plant nutrition
- Conduct weeding and vegetation management activities
- Water landscapes ensuring proper irrigation and plant hydration
Seasonal Care Program Implementation
- Implement dormant pruning programs during appropriate seasons
- Execute integrated pest management programs throughout the year
- Apply seasonal fertilization programs based on plant needs
- Perform turf maintenance and ornamental bed care
- Adjust care protocols according to seasonal requirements and weather
Installation & Construction Support
- Assist with installation of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals
- Ensure proper planting techniques and depth for long-term plant health
- Support landscape construction projects with horticultural expertise
- Prepare planting areas and amend soil as needed
Equipment Operation & Maintenance
- Operate horticultural tools and equipment safely and effectively
- Maintain and care for hand tools and power equipment
- Follow proper safety procedures for all equipment operation
- Report equipment issues and participate in maintenance activities
Training & Support Activities
- Support training of crew members on proper horticultural techniques
- Educate team on safe work practices and equipment operation
- Share horticultural knowledge and best practices with crew
- Mentor newer staff members in plant care expertise
Qualifications & Requirements
Education Requirements
- Degree in Horticulture from accredited program
- Certification in Horticulture or related field
- Diploma in Landscape Management or Plant Science
- Equivalent professional experience in place of degree
Professional Experience
- Minimum 2 years of hands-on horticultural experience
- Background in commercial landscape maintenance and plant care
- Proven experience with landscape maintenance operations
- Track record of successful plant health management
Horticultural Knowledge & Skills
- Strong knowledge of plant identification across diverse species
- Comprehensive understanding of soil science and soil health
- Expertise in horticultural best practices and techniques
- Ability to identify and treat insect pest issues
- Knowledge of plant disease identification and treatment
- Understanding of cultural plant health factors
Professional Attributes
- Comfortable working outdoors year-round in varying weather conditions
- Valid driver’s license with clean record over last three years
- Physical ability to perform horticultural tasks and equipment operation
- Strong work ethic and commitment to quality plant care
- Reliability and attention to detail in field work
Preferred Qualifications
- Pesticide applicator license or certification
- Advanced knowledge of integrated pest management practices
- Certification in arboriculture or specialty horticulture
- Experience with sustainable landscaping practices
- Knowledge of regional plant species and seasonal requirements
Compensation & Benefits Package
Salary & Compensation
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
- Opportunity for overtime pay during busy seasons
- Performance-based incentives and bonuses
Health & Insurance Benefits
- Medical benefits with comprehensive coverage
- Dental insurance for family health protection
- Vision insurance coverage for eye care
- Flexible Spending Account for healthcare expenses
Retirement & Financial Benefits
- 401(k) plan with employer contribution
- Financial security planning assistance
Work-Life Balance & Culture
- Flexible work/life balance and scheduling
- Family-oriented company culture and values
- Professional development opportunities
- Team-focused work environment
About Ruppert Landscape — Growing Excellence
Ruppert Landscape represents a leading commercial landscape maintenance and construction company with a multi-state presence and commitment to excellence. Based in Laytonsville, Maryland, the company brings a small company feel with large company capabilities. Ruppert Landscape is dedicated to providing opportunities for talented professionals, delivering exceptional customer service, and being good stewards of the environment and community. The company culture emphasizes teamwork, growth, and sustainability in landscaping operations.
Career Excellence at Ruppert Landscape: Build horticulture career with respected landscape leader, apply plant science expertise in field operations, work with diverse plant species and landscapes, advance in sustainable landscaping practices, develop expertise in plant health management, contribute to environmental stewardship, and grow career with company committed to excellence and employee development.
Who Should Apply?
- Horticulture Professionals: With degree/certification and 2+ years field experience
- Plant Care Specialists: Experienced in commercial landscape maintenance
- Landscape Technicians: With plant health and disease management expertise
- Arborists: Seeking comprehensive landscape care roles
- Horticultural Scientists: Applying knowledge in field operations
- Environmental Stewards: Committed to sustainable landscaping practices
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