Horticulturist

Search #: 499703
Work type:
Full-time

Location:

UConn Storrs
Categories:
Laboratory and Research Operations

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut, Storrs Campus, seeks qualified applicants for the position of a tropical horticulturist (Laboratory Assistant) in the UConn Botanical Conservatory . The Conservatory Collection is housed in a 10,400-square-foot greenhouse complex and holds over 7,600 specimens representing nearly 3,000 species, including nearly a dozen that are extinct in the wild and thus irreplaceable, and several dozen more that are rare or critically endangered, as well as the planting and maintenance of an outdoor 10,000-square-foot research garden.

The successful candidate will provide support to the teaching and research greenhouse program as a Tropical Collections Horticulturist. The incumbent will be responsible for the daily horticultural care and management of greenhouse specimens as well as maintenance of the physical facility.

This position reports to the General Conservatory Manager of the facility.

• Perform daily horticultural activities of the facilities.
• Provide integrated pest management and pesticide spraying as necessary.
• Provide some maintenance of equipment and facilities.
• Provide tours of Conservatory collections and participation in outreach events.
• Complete all training requirements.
• Provide general sanitation of the growing and work areas.

In conjunction with the facility manager, the incumbent will:

• Assist with the scheduling and growing of biology teaching lab materials.
• Be responsible for shared monitoring of the Argus control system.
• Respond to emergency alarms.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and up to one year of related experience in a greenhouse environment;
  
  OR Associate's degree in a related field and two years of related experience in a greenhouse environment.
• Broad knowledge of general botany concepts.
• Broad knowledge of tropical plant care/horticultural techniques as applicable to a diverse collection of plants.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, communication, computer, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and holidays with short notice.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Two or more years' experience in tropical greenhouse plant cultivation.
• Experience with integrated pest management techniques.
• Demonstrated experience working independently and recognizing/rectifying developing cultural, nutritional, and pest problems before they affect plant growth.
• Demonstrated experience making independent decisions concerning cultivation of plant materials.
• Demonstrated experience engaging a diverse user base and conveying collection information to collection users and visitors.

This is a full-time, permanent position. The salary range for this position is $48,163 to $50,000, commensurate with the successful candidate's skills and experience. The anticipated regular work schedule for this position will be Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with occasional evenings and holidays, sometimes on short notice. The selected incumbent must have the ability to climb ladders, remain on their feet for several hours, and carry hoses and other supplies.

The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits, please visit UConn Health Benefits and explore the sections under the Benefits & Leaves and Engagement & Learning headers. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the…