Therapeutic Horticulture Program Manager

UNC-Chapel Hill • Chapel Hill, NC

2d

About The Position

Therapeutic Horticulture (TH) uses plants and plant-based activities to improve physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. It is a broad, flexible, goal-oriented approach to wellness implemented in a variety of settings, including but not limited to assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, schools, and community and botanic gardens, with an emphasis on healing and rehabilitation. Since 1978, the North Carolina Botanical Garden ( NCBG ) has offered TH programming to diverse populations, including underserved children, elders with limited access to outdoor spaces, and disenfranchised community members. The mission of the NCBG Therapeutic Horticulture Program is to promote health and healing through positive connections with plants, nature, and people. The TH Program Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of NCBG’s TH Program and reports to the Director of Learning & Community Engagement. This role oversees a comprehensive portfolio of programs, including: (1) education and professional development in therapeutic horticulture through online, hybrid, and in-person formats, and (2) direct-service programs serving community partners and participants. The position ensures program quality, relevance, and sustainability by regularly assessing programs, responding to evolving community needs, and strategically expanding reach and impact. Responsibilities include supporting fundraising efforts, developing fee-for-service opportunities, contributing to grant development, and leading outreach, communications, and professional or scholarly engagement related to the program. The TH Program Manager supervises a permanent coordinator, along with contract instructors, interns, and volunteers, fostering a collaborative, inclusive team culture and ensuring programs are delivered safely, equitably, and at a consistently high standard. A highly skilled educator and inspiring leader, the TH Program Manager brings creativity, vision, and strong administrative and operational skills. As a core member of the Learning & Community Engagement team, the position collaborates across departments to advance institutional goals and further NCBG’s mission of connecting plants, people, and place through impactful and evidence-based therapeutic horticulture programming.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and evaluating goal-oriented, participant-centered therapeutic horticulture programs in alignment with professional standards and best practices.
• Experience delivering therapeutic horticulture education and professional development (e.g., courses, workshops, trainings), as well as leading direct-service programs with community partners and participants.
• Demonstrated experience designing and facilitating instruction in online learning environments, using appropriate educational technologies and accessible teaching practices.
• Experience working with participants across diverse abilities, life stages, and access needs, with the ability to adapt activities and environments to ensure inclusion, safety, and engagement.
• Working knowledge of therapeutic horticulture principles, techniques, and benefits, along with relevant professional standards, ethical considerations, and risk management practices, and the ability to apply this knowledge to support participant outcomes and program quality.
• Experience managing program operations, including scheduling, registration, staffing, logistics, and coordination of on- and off-site services.
• Applied knowledge of horticultural practices, including ornamental and food plant production and maintenance, plant propagation, soils, and integrated pest management.
• Experience recruiting, training, mentoring, and supervising staff, interns, contractors, and volunteers, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team culture.
• Commitment to supporting professional growth and engagement of staff, interns, and contractors while maintaining high standards of program delivery and participant experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including professional correspondence, marketing and outreach materials, presentations, and grant or report writing.
• Proven ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain quality standards in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
• Self-directed, creative, and detail-oriented, with the ability to identify opportunities for improvement and implement effective solutions.
• Experience tracking program outcomes, documenting services, managing budgets, and preparing accurate reports to support evaluation and decision-making.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and online learning or collaboration platforms (e.g., Canvas, Padlet), with a willingness to learn new systems and technologies.
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and a solution-oriented approach.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including periodic weekends.
• Valid North Carolina driver’s license or ability to obtain one upon hire, with regular travel to off-site program locations (approximately 10-30 miles).
• CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within one month of hire (training provided).
• Commitment to the mission of the North Carolina Botanical Garden

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a health science, public health, or allied health field, social work, horticulture, or education.
• Certificate in Horticultural Therapy, NCBG Certificate in Therapeutic Horticulture, and/or active pursuit of professional registration with the American Horticultural Therapy Association ( AHTA ).
• Professional registration with AHTA ( HTR credential) is highly preferred.
• Two or more years of experience overseeing therapeutic horticulture program operations, including program planning, implementation, documentation, evaluation, and coordination in accordance with professional standards and best practices.
• Two or more years of supervisory experience, including recruiting, training, mentoring, and supervising staff, interns, contractors, or volunteers.
• Experience working effectively with individuals and organizations across diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and organizational contexts.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, including grant writing, donor cultivation, and/or securing in-kind contributions.
• Additional professional or lived experience that demonstrates enhanced capacity to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

Responsibilities

• overall leadership, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of NCBG’s TH Program
• oversees a comprehensive portfolio of programs, including: (1) education and professional development in therapeutic horticulture through online, hybrid, and in-person formats, and (2) direct-service programs serving community partners and participants
• ensures program quality, relevance, and sustainability by regularly assessing programs, responding to evolving community needs, and strategically expanding reach and impact
• supporting fundraising efforts, developing fee-for-service opportunities, contributing to grant development, and leading outreach, communications, and professional or scholarly engagement related to the program
• supervises a permanent coordinator, along with contract instructors, interns, and volunteers, fostering a collaborative, inclusive team culture and ensuring programs are delivered safely, equitably, and at a consistently high standard
• collaborates across departments to advance institutional goals and further NCBG’s mission of connecting plants, people, and place through impactful and evidence-based therapeutic horticulture programming

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern