Temporary Agricultural Worker; Cornell AES

Temporary Agricultural Worker Nonexempt
Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

Ithaca, New York

CALS is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second-largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being.

The Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (Cornell AES) links Cornell's world-class research farms and plant growth facilities with one of the nation’s most comprehensive statewide cooperative extension systems. Through this engaged, interactive system, we address pressing issues that directly affect the health and welfare of the state and beyond.

As a Temporary Agricultural Worker, you will assist the Greenhouse Supervisor with the daily operations of the CALS Greenhouses. Other duties include:

• Maintain appropriate and timely plant care, including watering and fertilizing.
• Monitor greenhouse environment and greenhouse facilities and promptly inform supervisor of any suspected problems.
• Clean and organize greenhouses and associated work areas.
• Clean and sterilize pots, organize supplies, and conduct routine maintenance.
• Mix and prepare growing media.
• Handle fertilizers, potting materials, and other supplies; autoclave loading, operation, and unloading.
• Interact in a professional manner with all facility clients and coworkers.
• Help maintain a safe workplace.
• Fully understand watering notes and execute plant care instructions as described by growers and check with supervisor and/or SO7 and SO10 growers for clarification when needed.
• Participate in projects or other duties as assigned with occasional work responsibility falling above or below current classification.

We are looking for someone with an excellent work ethic who appreciates caring for plants. We need a talented individual with excellent communication skills who builds and maintains effective relationships with multiple stakeholders. Additionally, we need someone who has the following:

• High school diploma or equivalent and 1+years of greenhouse growing experience with demonstrated horticultural plant care skills.
• Willingness to maintain a schedule of regular weekend and holiday hours with a maximum of eight weekend days off per year.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently pay close attention to detail.
• Proven competence in observing and identifying plant stressors.
• Physically able to regularly climb and work from a ladder; bend/kneel, climb under benches and equipment; efficiently shovel dense materials.
• Ability to lift over 50 pounds.
  
  Ability to work in all temperature conditions, including extreme cold and warm.
• Able to safely and effectively work with shop hand tools, portable drills and power saws. Demonstrated ability to work productively in a team as well as independently.
• Must be flexible, service-minded, and respectful.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral).
• Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the position and have reliable transportation as well as have and maintain a valid and unrestricted New York State driver’s license and be cleared to drive for university business.
• Ability to respond to emergency duty.
• Must complete all safety trainings (e.g., Federal Worker Protection Standard Training) as specified by their Supervisor and Cornell Environmental, Health, and Safety.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, e-mail, and web browsers to communicate on a daily basis with coworkers.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

This is a two-month appointment (39 hours/week) with possible extension depending on funding and performance. This position will be located in Ithaca, New York.

Compensation is $20.00/hour.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

No relocation assistance is provided for this position.…