Biology Research Greenhouse Horticulturist

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Occupational Summary:

Help coordinate and participate in the horticultural activities at the Biology Department Research Greenhouse, a controlled environment facility, including all aspects of plant care. Provide technical knowledge and assistance to researchers and staff. Assist the Research Greenhouse manager, facilities management, and other greenhouse support personnel, with staff supervision, greenhouse operation, repair and maintenance, and building administration. Keep records pertaining to maintenance, repairs, crops, and customers.

40 hours/week, M-F weekday first shift in the Duke Biology Dept. Research Greenhouses.

Work Performed

Principal responsibilities: (80%)

• Coordinate and participate in the horticultural activities at the Research Greenhouses involving all aspects of plant care for the many species being cultivated in the Teaching Collections and Research Projects.
• Oversee the pest control protocol (insects, mites, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other agents) using appropriate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) procedures with the goal of limiting chemical applications and emphasizing environmental and biological control whenever possible.
• Under the supervision of your manager, oversee and delegate horticulture tasks in the facility.
• Oversee inspection of all incoming plants and soil/media for pests and implement any necessary treatment of material.
• Must know, or learn, the greenhouse operating system programs and assist the greenhouse manager in setting up and monitoring greenhouse climate conditions and functions.
• Communicate with researchers (Duke and outside companies) to determine appropriate care for various plants and help coordinate experiments. Implement that care and make necessary adjustments as needed during the term of the experiments.
• Update/create action item calendars pertaining to greenhouse maintenance and crop scheduling.
• Submit Duke Facilities work requests, work with the Facilities Management Department (FMD) and contractors. Follow up on the completion of work requests and scheduled work.
• Inventory and purchase necessary supplies including containers, growing media, fertilizers, labels, and pest control supplies. Maintain or supervise maintenance of all horticultural equipment including fertilizer injectors, lab meters and scales, and spray equipment.

Additional Responsibilities: (20%)

• Provide training and oversee Assistant Horticulture staff and work-study students. Provide or delegate orientation tours for new students, staff, work-study personnel, and researchers who are new to the building. Perform or delegate the mandated EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) pesticide safety and awareness training for all users, documenting the training for each user. Grant card access to the building for new personnel.
• Ensure that all plant and soil/media waste material is disposed of properly, with special emphasis on transgenic (GMO) waste disposal.
• Attend, or lead, weekly Research Greenhouse staff meetings.
• Perform greenhouse related tasks as determined by the Research Greenhouse Manager.
• Must have the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and prepare concise and accurate reports.
• Must be willing to head committee meetings that are relevant to this position.
• Pursue educational opportunities to keep up to date in current horticultural practices including maintaining membership in the Association of Education and Research Greenhouse Curators (AERGC).
• Understand and communicate Duke and Biology Department policies effectively to all concerned. Work within all Duke University, NC State, and Federal safety guidelines and regulations.
• Must be able to participate in or delegate public outreach activities, including school group tours and internal Duke University programs.
• Must be able to lift and carry 25-50 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education/Training: This work requires knowledge of botany or horticulture normally through the completion of a bachelor’s degree in horticulture, plant or soil science, botany, or a related field. Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
• Experience: This work generally requires one year of practical experience in horticulture or a related field and having the ability to cultivate a variety of plant species. Experience in greenhouse growing is preferred.
• Must have a working knowledge of computers and applications such as Microsoft Office programs, specifically Word and Excel.
• A valid driver’s license and NC Pesticide Applicator’s certification is required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires knowledge of plantmaterials and care generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program in horticulture, agronomy, botany or a related field.

Experience

Work generally requires two year's of experience in horticulture or a OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE related field. Public garden or estate landscape maintenance experience is preferred.

Job Code: 00001210 HORTICULTURIST
Job Level: 10

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

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Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.