Now Hiring · Charlotte, NC · Part-Time
Part-Time Beekeeper — Charlotte, NC
Healthy hives. Buzzing hosts. Blooming communities.
Do you talk about bees a little too much? Do your friends gently change the subject when you bring up your queen’s laying pattern? Good — you’ll fit right in. Buddha Bee Apiary is growing into Charlotte, and we’re looking for our very first local beekeeper to help us get the city buzzing.
About Buddha Bee Apiary
At Buddha Bee Apiary, we’re on a mission to help people fall in love with pollinators — starting with honeybees. Through our Host-a-Hive program, we install and maintain beehives in backyards, schools, and businesses across North Carolina. We believe hands-on experiences with beekeeping inspire change and create more advocates for pollinators. Our beekeepers are passionate about keeping bees healthy and educating others.
About This Role
This is our first beekeeping hire in Charlotte, which makes it a special one. You’ll be our boots on the ground — the hands-on steward keeping our Charlotte colonies healthy and our hosts delighted. Because you’ll be working independently, without our trained Triangle team beside you day-to-day, we’re looking for someone with real beekeeping experience who can hit the ground running.
It starts small and grows with you. Expect roughly 5–10 hours per week to begin, with flexible scheduling and genuine room to grow — more hours, and potentially a lead role — as we add hives across the city.
What You’ll Do
- Inspect and maintain honey bee colonies across Charlotte-area host sites, following our seasonal management plan
- Keep detailed inspection notes for every hive (we log hive health in a mobile app)
- Support hive installations, splits, feeding, and seasonal management
- Monitor for pests and disease, and administer treatments such as Varroa mite control safely and correctly
- Help with honey harvests and extraction
- Build and maintain equipment (frames, boxes) and keep your gear organized
- Represent Buddha Bee warmly with hosts — answer questions, model good safety, and make every visit a positive experience
- Pitch in on the occasional time-sensitive task, like a swarm call or a queen issue
You Might Be a Great Fit If You
- Have hands-on beekeeping experience — at least one full season managing colonies (personal hives, a mentorship, coursework plus practice, or professional work). As our first Charlotte beekeeper, you’ll need the confidence to work independently from day one.
- Are based in or near Charlotte and can reliably reach host sites across the metro
- Have a valid driver’s license and a vehicle you’re comfortable hauling beekeeping equipment in
- Are comfortable with a smartphone and apps, plus tools like Google and Slack for staying in touch
- Can lift up to 50 lbs and enjoy working outdoors in all seasons
- Are detail-oriented, calm under pressure, safety-minded, and genuinely love talking to people about bees
- Bonus points for comfort with public speaking, teaching, or community events
Compensation & Schedule
- $18–24 per hour, based on experience
- ~5–10 hours per week to start, with flexible scheduling and room to grow as Charlotte expands
- Access to beekeeping training materials and supplies — and a team that geeks out about pollinators as much as you do
How to Apply
Send your resume and a short cover letter to justin@buddhabeeapiary.com. Tell us about your beekeeping experience and why Buddha Bee. We can’t wait to meet you.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Buddha Bee Apiary is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe diverse teams strengthen communities and ecosystems. We welcome and encourage applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to apply.