Job description
Greenhouse Technician
Location: Johnston, IA
Contract Duration: 1 year (Saturday to Wednesday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM)
Compensation: $21-24/hr
As a Greenhouse Technician, you will play a crucial role in supporting research activities within a four-acre controlled environment greenhouse facility located in Johnston, Iowa. Your responsibilities will include assisting with various daily operations in the greenhouse, caring for plants, conducting wheat pollination and harvest tasks, preparing samples, ensuring sanitation, and providing research support in a safe and professional setting. The perfect candidate is detail-focused, reliable, accustomed to the warm and humid environment of a greenhouse, and adept at adhering to safety standards while working both independently and as part of the Controlled Environments Team.
Responsibilities of the Greenhouse Technician:
- Collaborate with a dedicated team to pollinate and harvest wheat in specialized greenhouse areas.
- Engage in daily plant care tasks such as pollinating, harvesting, transplanting, watering, moving plants, seeding, and handling seeds for wheat and other crops.
- Collect and organize plant tissue samples for laboratory analysis while ensuring the integrity of samples across substantial quantities.
- Support research projects, assist in data collection, and maintain accurate records.
- Ensure the greenhouse is clean and well-maintained by properly disposing of all regulated materials and waste.
- Strictly adhere to safety protocols while handling common chemicals and regulated materials in the greenhouse.
Qualifications for the Greenhouse Technician:
- A high school diploma or GED is mandatory.
- A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, plant sciences, or a related field is advantageous.
- A minimum of two years of experience in greenhouse work, agriculture, horticulture, or plant research is preferred.
- Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to comply with safety protocols are essential.
- Strong organizational and communication skills are required, with the ability to independently and collaboratively work with minimal oversight.
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel, and Outlook is necessary; a willingness to learn internal research software is also needed.
- Ability to perform repetitive tasks, endure prolonged periods of standing or sitting, and lift at least 30 lbs are required.
- You must be comfortable working in warm and humid greenhouse environments with continuous exposure to pollen throughout the year.
