Greenhouse Plant Technician ​/ Weekend Waterer

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

August 23, 2026

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

570K-_NPS - Plant Technician 2

Business

Title:

Greenhouse Plant Technician / Weekend Waterer

Employee Type:

Classified

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

As the Greenhouse Plant Technician / Weekend Watere r, you will support research and extension activities related to greenhouse and growth chamber research plants within the Institute of Biological Chemistry. You will be responsible for watering and caring for greenhouse and growth chamber research plants on a 20-hour-per-week schedule. On weekends and holidays, you will water all research plants in the Institute of Biological Chemistry growth facilities, which typically requires approximately 8 to 10 hours per weekend.

During the week, you will provide up to 10 hours of plant care and watering support in assigned areas, preferably during morning hours beginning at 8:00 a.m. You will maintain regular communication with growth facility staff on Mondays and Fridays to coordinate plant care needs, with flexibility to adjust work hours as necessary and a priority placed on Friday coordination to ensure adequate weekend and holiday coverage.

Additional responsibilities include propagating, planting, and caring for greenhouse and growth chamber plants grown under greenhouse and field conditions. You may oversee part-time student employees or helpers and assist with plant production activities, including weeding, irrigating, fertilizing, pest management, and general plant care. You will monitor environmental conditions, fertilize, plant, cultivate, and maintain plants; propagate plants, including transgenic plants, through seeding, cuttings, grafting, pruning, staking, soil preparation, transplanting, and thinning;

monitor for pests and apply appropriate treatments such as sprays, dusts, or fumigation; harvest, clean, treat, and store seeds; label plants and maintain records in accordance with standard operating procedures; maintain greenhouse tools and equipment; clean greenhouse and growth facilities; and perform other related duties as assigned.

Additional Information:

This is a part time (
50% FTE),
permanent position. This position is overtime eligible.

Monthly Salary: $1,782.50 to $2,373 at 50% FTE ($3,565 to $4,746) | Range 39 Steps A-M | Successful candidates are typically hired at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28.

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits:

• paid sick and vacation leave
• paid holidays
• medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• retirement
• deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts
• training and development
• employee tuition waiver

For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Classified staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

• High School graduation or GED certificate AND three years of work experience in plant research, propagation, or related work; OR equivalent education/experience.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of the cultural requirements of plants.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
Department Name: Institute of Biological Chemistry

Location: Pullman, WA

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need.

A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Part time

Position Term:

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for…