Greenhouse Plant Technician / Weekend Waterer

This is a part-time (50% FTE), permanent position eligible for overtime.

About the role

As the Greenhouse Plant Technician / Weekend Waterer, you will support research and extension activities related to greenhouse and growth chamber research plants within the Institute of Biological Chemistry. You will water and care for greenhouse and growth chamber research plants on a 20-hour-per-week schedule.

On weekends and holidays, you will water all research plants in the Institute of Biological Chemistry growth facilities, typically requiring approximately 8 to 10 hours per weekend. During the week, you will provide up to 10 hours of plant care and watering support in assigned areas, preferably during morning hours beginning at 8:00 a.m. You will maintain regular communication with growth facility staff on Mondays and Fridays to coordinate plant care needs, with flexibility to adjust work hours as necessary and a priority placed on Friday coordination to ensure adequate weekend and holiday coverage.

Responsibilities

• Propagate, plant, and care for greenhouse and growth chamber plants grown under greenhouse and field conditions.
• Oversee part-time student employees or helpers and assist with plant production activities, including weeding, irrigating, fertilizing, pest management, and general plant care.
• Monitor environmental conditions, fertilize, plant, cultivate, and maintain plants.
• Propagate plants, including transgenic plants, through seeding, cuttings, grafting, pruning, staking, soil preparation, transplanting, and thinning.
• Monitor for pests and apply appropriate treatments such as sprays, dusts, or fumigation.
• Harvest, clean, treat, and store seeds.
• Label plants and maintain records in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Maintain greenhouse tools and equipment.
• Clean greenhouse and growth facilities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School graduation or GED certificate AND three years of work experience in plant research, propagation, or related work; OR equivalent education/experience.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of the cultural requirements of plants.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Pay

Monthly Salary: $1,782.50 to $2,373 at 50% FTE ($3,565 to $4,746) | Range 39 Steps A-M. Successful candidates are typically hired at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28.

Benefits

• Paid sick and vacation leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance package for employees and dependents.
• Retirement and deferred compensation options.
• Optional supplemental retirement accounts.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Employee tuition waiver.

Schedule

• Part-time, 20 hours per week.
• Weekend and holiday watering: approximately 8 to 10 hours per weekend.
• Weekday plant care: up to 10 hours per week, preferably during morning hours beginning at 8:00 a.m.
• Regular communication with growth facility staff on Mondays and Fridays.