Greenhouse Assistant Manager

About the job

Primary Purpose

The Biology Greenhouse Assistant Manager is a crucial role in a greenhouse operation, as they are responsible for assisting the manager/director in ensuring the health and quality of plants in our various collections. The Assistant Manager works to ensure proper nutrition, water and pest management, of our collection which has risen from 120 taxa in 2009 to over 1400 today. With the preparation in developing/expanding the collection for the new teaching and research greenhouses associated with the newly built STEM1 building anticipated to open in 2028, there is an immediate need for this position starting ASAP.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in Horticulture or a related field.

• Two years of experience in horticulture and greenhouse work. This can comprise internships, short-term positions, or volunteer work.

• Experience in Leadership. Ability to motivate and supervise employees and student and community volunteers, assist with managing resources, and making operational decisions.

Additional skills and competencies

• Knowledge of plant nutrition, fertilization, and pest management.

• Willingness to acquire pesticide applicator license.

• Be aware of basic greenhouse safety practices.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional skills and competencies:

• Understanding the fundamentals of plant physiology and plant pathology.

• Ability to identify, diagnose, and treat plant diseases.

• Experience or willingness to develop skills in sharing horticultural knowledge with the public.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities | The Biology Greenhouse Assistant Manager plays a crucial role in a greenhouse operation, as they are responsible for assisting the manager/director in ensuring the health and quality of plants in our various collections. The Assistant Manager ensures proper nutrition, water, and pest management of our collection, which has risen from 120 taxa in 2009 to over 1400 today.

Responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the following:

1. Assist the manager in overseeing daily operations of the greenhouse, including planting, watering, and pest management. Be responsible for contacting the Physical Plant when emergencies occur.
2. Assist with maintaining collections in three separate facilities, including the off-campus Biology Greenhouse. Ensure that greenhouse environments are properly maintained for optimal growth of plants. This involves activities such as pot washing, keeping the headhouse clean and organized, and sweeping greenhouse floors.
3. Monitor and control the temperature, humidity, and light levels in the greenhouse. Be available to assist making emergency visits to the greenhouse on call outside of normal working hours.
4. Assist with maintaining inventory of supplies and equipment and ordering new items when directed.
5. Must be available for watering on weekends.
6. Computer literacy is required.
7. Train and supervise student and community volunteers on proper greenhouse maintenance, plant management, and safety protocols.
8. Regularly inspect conservatory and teaching/research collections to ensure that they are growing properly and take corrective action when necessary.
9. Monitor equipment, take corrective action, and inform the manager immediately when issues arise.
10. Assist with developing and implementing pest management strategies.
11. Keep abreast of current developments in technology and practices for greenhouse operations.

VISA Sponsorship?

VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S.

Work Schedule/Hours

40 hours/week – will be a flexible schedule coordinated with the Greenhouse manager. Must be available for watering on weekends and the ability to serve on call, outside of normal business hours, to respond to emergency situations at the greenhouse.

Physical Demands of Position

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Special Instructions to Applicants

For a complete application, please apply and submit all below-required documents electronically through Appalachian State University’s Job Board:

• Cover Letter

• Resume

• List of three professional references with contact information included