Job Description

Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

Performs essential duties associated with the effective operation of a research greenhouse facility while assisting the Greenhouse Supervisor. This includes working with the horticulture team and Supervisor to develop and implement the facilityâ™s strategic plan by drawing on horticultural expertise, including equipment and plant diagnosis, maintenance, and improvement all while communicating effectively with the team and stakeholders and ensuring the desired horticultural outputs.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Using a deep knowledge of and experience with best horticultural practices, helping the horticulture team to produce plants for critical experiments while conforming to experimental guidelines set out in communication with researchers. This will include assisting Supervisor in the training new hires and in ensuring that work of the team is satisfactory.
• Key point of effective communication with teammates, Supervisor, growers, post-docs, grad students, and PIs regarding experimental design and for success in plant production for achieving experimental goals while providing educated feedback. This communication is necessary to ensure success of their plant growth and project objectives.
• â‹ Play a key intellectual and hands-on role in horticultural, scientific, and strategic planning, as well as improvements to the facility and to maintenance required to keep the facility operating as necessary to meet researcher objectives. This duty requires a deep knowledge of greenhouse and growth chamber systems and experience with these.
• Using a deep knowledge of best horticultural practices, performing pest management, including scouting and biological control application. This includes assisting with the design and execution of the integrated pest management strategy.
• Assist Supervisor and at times take full responsibility over administrative tasks including record keeping, customer billing, inventory, and customer needs. Includes accounting duties and an understanding of facility resource flows and management. Responsible for facility operation when Supervisor is absent, and responsible for some holiday & weekend shifts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Typical greenhouse and growth chamber conditionsâ”dirt, dust, fertilizers, chemicals, stooping and bending, standing and walking on hard and slippery surfaces, frequent lifting over 25 lbs., coping with heat and humidity indoors and outdoors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in horticultural with five years experience in a greenhouse.
• Demonstrated understanding of facility operation, including teamwork, administration, as well as a deep knowledge of plant care, including watering, fertilization, and pest identification. Ability to recognize signs of pest infestation, watering issues, equipment problems, and plant care needs and the ability to create or modify treatments accordingly.
• Demonstrated understanding of and ambition to learn plant care, including watering, fertilization, pest identification, plant health monitoring, and different growing environments including greenhouses and growth chambers.
• Dependability is a must for the wellbeing of the plants â“ neglect or insufficient completion of duties can result in serious repercussions of academic research.
• Ability to work independently and problem solve in addition to working as an effective member of a team.
• Ability to seek input from the greenhouse supervisor and researchers and to listen to and learn from feedback.
• Ability to fulfill physical requirements of the job, including lifting/moving 50 lb. bags of soil, moving loads of trays and pots, dragging hoses, and being on oneâ™s feet for hours, often in hot and humid conditions.
• Knowledge of horticultural facility operation and management, plant and facility maintenance, effective communication skills in a timely manner, dependability, curiosity, and willingness to learn.

Required Qualifications

Bachelorâ™s degree in horticulture or a related field and two years of experience working in a greenhouse or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Grade

R07-H

Salary Range

$17.10 - $29.09 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ .

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email   [email protected]   or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? Weâ™ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit:

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the Universityâ™s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment â“ fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

About Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis, a medium-sized, independent university, is dedicated to challenging its faculty and students alike to seek new knowledge and greater understanding of an ever-changing, multicultural world. The University offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs. The faculty is composed of scholars, scientists, artists and members of the learned professions. They serve society by teaching; by adding to the store of human art, creativity, understanding, and wisdom; and by providing direct services, such as health care.

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Job Tags

Hourly pay, Holiday work, Outdoor, Shift work, Weekend work,

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