Plant Technologist

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world‑changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is a 281‑acre museum of trees teaching the world about plants. With one of the world's most biodiverse collections of temperate woody plants, combined with world‑class scientific resources, and a commitment to diverse programming, the Arnold Arboretum has been a leader in horticulture since its founding in 1872. As part of the Boston Parks system, it is free and open to all daily;

we host three to four million visitors each year.

The Arnold Arboretum seeks a part‑time (18 hours per week, benefits‑eligible) Plant Technologist to care for the plants, growth facilities, and research laboratories at the state‑of‑the‑art Weld Hill research facility. The facility consists of approximately 6,800 square feet of greenhouses, growth chambers, and related workspace, plus ~33,000 square feet of outdoor common garden space. Working closely with Arboretum and other Harvard faculty and staff under the supervision of the Arnold Arboretum Plant Growth Facilities Manager, the Plant Technologist will ensure high‑quality plants and plant growth facilities to support a full range of research and teaching activities.

• Cares for Research and Teaching Plants.
• Works with Growth Facility Staff and researchers to establish and maintain healthy plants including establishing growth parameters, cultural practices, fertilizer and watering regimes.
• Provides aspects of plant care of a wide variety of plant species including watering, fertilization, and sanitation.
• Helps to assess, diagnose and coordinate treatments for pest control including conducting cultural and biological controls as needed to keep certain plants pest‑free.
• Maintains plant facilities.
• Monitors the operation of greenhouses and growth chambers and reports on any issues that may arise to the Plant Growth Facilities Manager, including those involving users, equipment, supplies, operations, safety, security and maintenance.
• Monitors the general operation of the Growth Facility and ensures the facility is clean, safe, and operating smoothly.
• Coordinates with other staff members as required.
• May administer special care to plants for researchers.
• Special care will be determined on a project‑by‑project basis after consultation with researchers and the Plant Growth Facilities Manager.
• Reports and records plant health and pest and disease scouting results.
• Maintains plant facility records and inventory.
• Performs related job duties as required.

Please note: This position requires one weekend day of work per week and working half of the University holidays. This is also a two‑year term, with an end date two years from the date of hire.

Working Conditions: Must be able to work in a variety of environments, including hot, humid or cold conditions inside the facilities and outdoors.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to work outdoors in various plant collections and habitats during all seasons. Must be able to bend, reach, stoop, and lift. Must be able to walk and stand for up to two hours at a time in indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor conditions. Must be able to climb ladders and frequently lift/carry up to 50 lbs. Use of protective devices required during the periodic use of sanitizers, fertilizers, and soil preparation.

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

Two…