Plant Technician 3

Job Description

The University of Washington Biology Greenhouse has an outstanding opportunity for a Plant Technician 3 to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Program Operations the Plant Technician 3 is responsible for working hands-on with a wide diversity of plants used for teaching research outreach and display. This position is a key member of the greenhouse team working independently exercising specialized horticultural judgment coordinating plant production according to instructional and research schedules and training leading or directing the work of staff students interns and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Cultivation and Collection Care - 40%

• Supervise and perform the care and maintenance of crops and other plants for developmental research instructional outreach and display purposes within the UW Biology Greenhouse and designated Department of Biology interiorscape and exterior planting areas.
• Perform and oversee all aspects of plant culture including researching plant requirements watering fertilizing weeding seed collection sowing potting repotting pruning propagating breeding grooming and plant-health monitoring.
• Independently assess plant condition and adjust cultivation practices based on plant health developmental stage environmental conditions and seasonal needs.
• Maintain the quality accessibility appearance and long-term health of teaching research outreach and display collections.
• Perform greenhouse sanitation and operational duties including cleaning work and growing areas washing pots and equipment disposing of compost and waste preparing soil and fertilizers and safely moving plant materials and greenhouse supplies.

Teaching and Research Support - 25%

• Teaching and research activities require plants to be available at specific developmental stages at varying times of the year. Using course syllabi instructional schedules and specified researcher goals establish and adjust cultivation priorities to provide requested plant materials on the dates needed throughout the year.
• Communicate with instructors researchers and greenhouse staff regarding plant availability production timelines cultivation requirements and potential risks to teaching or research activities.
• Collect prepare label and distribute plant materials for instructional and research use.
• Provide horticultural information and consultation to faculty staff students and researchers.
• Troubleshoot cultivation problems that could affect instructional or research activities and implement appropriate corrective measures.

Plant Health Nutrition and Environmental Systems - 15%

• Implement and oversee general and specialized plant nutrition and fertilization programs.
• Monitor and operate irrigation and fertigation systems including ongoing testing inspection cleaning and care of sensors filters and related equipment.
• Conduct pest and disease scouting and participate in integrated pest management activities including beneficial insect releases when appropriate.
• Apply pesticides and other treatments in accordance with applicable laws product labels safety requirements and University procedures.
• Monitor greenhouse temperature humidity lighting irrigation equipment and other environmental conditions affecting plant health.
• Maintain accurate records of plant nutrition pesticide applications pest-management activities environmental conditions and plant treatments.

Work Direction Coverage and Safety Training - 10%

• Train lead direct and review the plant-care work of staff student employees interns and volunteers.
• Train workers in watering sanitation plant handling propagation pest scouting equipment use safety procedures and other greenhouse practices.
• Participate in and assist with safety training for greenhouse users and workers including safe plant handling equipment use pesticide/IPM procedures as assigned and greenhouse operational protocols.
• Communicate daily and seasonal work priorities in coordination with the Greenhouse Manager and other greenhouse staff.
• Help coordinate plant-care coverage for weekends holidays staff absences public programs emergencies and urgent operational needs.

Outreach Records and Operational Support - 10%

• Guide laboratory demonstrations for students lead visiting groups through the greenhouse answer horticultural inquiries from the public and assist with greenhouse public days and other Department of Biology outreach activities.
• Maintain computerized plant records accession information labels cultivation notes treatment records and related collection documentation.
• Assist with basic troubleshooting of greenhouse equipment and coordinate repairs or replacement with appropriate staff.
• Support irrigation maintenance soil and fertilizer preparation plant movement equipment care and other greenhouse operational needs.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the Plant Technician 3 classification.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements such as a license certification and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED certificate and four years of work experience in plant research including one year in managing a major farming operation.
• College training in one of the plant sciences may be substituted year-for-year for required experience. Additional years of experience in plant research may be substituted year-for-year for high school education.

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager

Additional Qualifications

• Experience training and managing staff students interns and volunteers

• Ability to work independently and prioritize time-sensitive teaching research and plant-care responsibilities.
• Ability to learn and apply the cultural requirements of a diverse living plant collection.
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty staff students researchers volunteers visitors and members of the public.
• Ability to maintain accurate plant treatment safety and operational records.
• Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and the safe use of greenhouse tools equipment pesticides and other materials.
• Must have a valid Washington State drivers license in good standing or obtain one by the positions start date to perform plant materials and supply pickups.
• Must obtain the required Washington State pesticide applicator license within six months of employment.
• Must be able to work one regularly scheduled weekend day and occasionally cover other shifts holidays staff absences public events emergencies or urgent plant-care needs.
• Must be able to work in warm humid wet dusty and variable greenhouse conditions and perform the physical activities associated with greenhouse work with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in horticulture plant science botany agriculture biology or a related field or equivalent horticultural training through a vocational technical or certificate program.
• Professional or substantial volunteer experience in a greenhouse conservatory botanical collection horticultural operation or plant-production environment.
• Experience cultivating diverse tropical desert temperate teaching or research plants.
• Experience coordinating and timing a variety of plant species or crops to reach required developmental stages at specified times.
• Experience with plant propagation plant nutrition soil preparation fertilization irrigation or fertigation systems.
• Experience with integrated pest management or pesticide application.
• Experience monitoring greenhouse climate-control or environmental systems.
• Experience maintaining computerized plant accession treatment or botanical collection records.
• Experience staging transporting and handling rare fragile valuable or research-critical plant material.
• Experience with long-term horticultural project planning and collection management.
• Experience troubleshooting greenhouse laboratory irrigation environmental-control or related equipment.
• Experience working in an academic research museum conservatory public garden or public horticultural environment.
• Experience communicating horticultural or scientific information to students educational groups or members of the public.

About the Team

The University of Washington Department of Biology operates a 20000-square-foot greenhouse that supports undergraduate instruction faculty research public outreach and the care of diverse living plant collections. The greenhouse includes tropical desert temperate teaching and research rooms and serves UW students faculty researchers visiting educational groups and members of the public. Greenhouse staff provide horticultural information and consultation to researchers as well as specialized plant care necessary for the successful cultivation of teaching and research organisms.

Compensation Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Temporary or Regular

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier return they enjoy outstanding benefits opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race color creed religion national origin citizenship sex pregnancy age marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.