Part-Time Biology Greenhouse Assistant; Wage

The Biology Department is seeking a Greenhouse Assistant. This part-time position requires an average of 8-32 hours per week of weekend and UVA holiday work as an assistant to the Biology Department Greenhouse Manager. Work may also be scheduled during the Monday-Friday work week. The work schedule may vary from week to week.

The Greenhouse Assistant will assist in all aspects of the UVA Biology Department research greenhouse operations.

• Care for research plant material (plant condition assessment)
• Watering, weeding, pruning, fertilizing, leaf litter removal, potting, and repotting
• Relocating and organizing research plant material
• Pot washing, soil mixing, mixing fertilizer solutions and other material, sweeping, mopping
• Greenhouse workspace and growth area cleaning and sanitizing
• Completing duty shift log, immediate reporting of greenhouse or plant health and condition problems, and other tasks and duties as assigned

Workers in a greenhouse may be exposed to fumes, chemicals, vibrations, humidity, cold, heat, wind, full sun, noise, and outdoor climate. The Greenhouse Assistant must be capable and willing to work long hours in these, and other sometimes unpredictable, environmental conditions. The workplace can also be cramped and filled with delicate and valuable research plant material, and experimental apparatus and equipment.

The Assistant must be able to perform all assigned duties without disturbing or damaging plant material or disrupting experiments in progress. They must also ensure the security of the facility (e.g., locking doors, and reporting any unusual activity). The position is moderately labor intensive, and duties are mostly performed standing.

The job requires frequent bending, stooping, walking, and the use of a stepladder. Work is often unsupervised and may be performed alone, so a high degree of responsibility and self-management is required.

This is a wage position which is not eligible for leave or other benefits and is limited to 1500 hours of work in a year. For more information, refer to the Wage Employment link.

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• At least 1 year of lab experience, which may include student experience required
• Licensure:
  None

• Interest in or knowledge of plants and their care
• Careful attention to tasks in a complex and sensitive work environment
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
• Initiative and good judgment