Job Description

Winter Lights Fire Pit Attendant

The North Carolina Arboretum is seeking a responsible and safety-minded Fire Pit Attendant to support Winter Lights. This position helps maintain safe, welcoming outdoor gathering spaces where guests can pause, warm up, and enjoy the event.

The Fire Pit Attendant's primary responsibility is to safely build, tend, monitor, and extinguish live fires in designated outdoor fire pits. This position requires continuous attention to fire conditions, guest activity, changing weather, and the surrounding environment. Training and operating procedures are provided prior to the show's start.

The Fire Pit Attendant will also monitor assigned outdoor gathering spaces, assist guests and volunteers, identify and address potential hazards, and promptly communicate safety concerns to the event producer. The successful candidate will be dependable, observant, comfortable working independently, and able to exercise sound judgment in a busy public-event environment.

This is an outdoor position, and staff must be prepared to work in cold, wet, or changing winter weather. Pay is $17 per hour. Shifts generally run from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., with up to 30 hours a week available through the run of show from November 12 (Preview) to January 3. Some holiday availability is required.

Primary Responsibilities

• Build, tend, monitor, and safely extinguish fires in designated outdoor fire pits.
• Maintain safe, controlled fire levels throughout the event.
• Add and manage firewood according to established procedures.
• Know the location and proper use of assigned fire safety equipment at each fire pit.
• Continuously monitor guest activity around the fire pit and maintain appropriate distances between guests and open flames.
• Keep fire pit areas and surrounding gathering spaces clean and orderly.
• Monitor weather, wind, and site conditions that could affect fire or guest safety.
• Circulate through assigned outdoor areas and remain alert to changing conditions.
• Provide courteous assistance and basic event information to guests.
• Check in with volunteers and other Winter Lights team members as needed.
• Respond appropriately to unsafe behavior, spills, obstructions, and other potential hazards.
• Promptly communicate concerns to event leadership, security, or emergency personnel.
• Follow all established fire-safety, event-safety, and emergency-response procedures.
• Perform other event-operations duties as assigned.

Still not sure? Join us at The North Carolina Arboretum (100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806) for a job fair on Tuesday, October 6 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and learn more about us and our seasonal openings.

Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Preference will be given to those who apply by October 7th.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit

The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434 acre public garden affiliated with the University of North Carolina featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits, educational activities, and plant-centered research and economic development programs. The North Carolina Arboretum Society is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation that supports the Arboretum’s mission of cultivating connections between people and plants through the membership program, individual and corporate giving programs, retail operations, sponsored research activities and fee-based educational program and exhibits and green events. The responsibilities of the Exhibits Department focus on making a significant impact on the Arboretum’s mission to connect people, plants and places by engaging rotating and permanent exhibitions.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred. Applicants must be comfortable working around live fires and performing duties outdoors in winter conditions. Experience with outdoor fires, event operations, groundskeeping, hospitality, or public safety is helpful but not required. Training, safety equipment, and specific operating procedures will be provided.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills

• Classification: (Seasonal) Winter Lights Firepit Attendant
• Position Number: UNCSO-ATNCA22
• Appointment Type: Time Limited
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Part-Time
• Location: 100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 USA
• Posting Open Date: 9/28/2026
• Posting Close Date:
• Posting Number: req760

EEO

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To claim veteran's preference, all eligible persons shall submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with a State Application for Employment (Form PD-107 or equivalent) to the appointing authority.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

EEO Contact Information

Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: ophiring@northcarolina.edu