Nursery Assistant/Gardener

BIOLOGY (BL-BI-IUBLA)

The department of Biology is a large, unified department with strong undergraduate degrees, nationally-ranked graduate programs, and world-class research spanning the breadth of biological questions and experimental systems, from ecosystems to microbiology and developmental biology, from evolution to cell biology, from molecular biology to systems biology, bioinformatics, and genomics. It is always an exciting time for Biology, enormous advances in global genome analysis coupled with unprecedented developments in interdisciplinary research have made the 21st century the Century of Biology.  For more information about the department, you can find it here: About: Department of Biology: Indiana University Bloomington. 

The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to building and supporting a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community of students and scholars.

The Biology Greenhouse Staff position has the responsibility for the development, implantation, and supervision of plant care protocols for research, education projects and the collection. This position would support the Greenhouse supervisor and other Plant biology staff. The Biology Greenhouse Staff position has the responsibility for the development, implantation, and supervision of plant care protocols for research, education projects and the collection. This position would support the Greenhouse supervisor and other Plant biology staff.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and supervises the daily plant care and maintenance protocols for research and educational projects.
• Consults with greenhouse users regarding proper soil types, fertilizer regimes, production methods, pest-control, and sanitation procedures for existing and new research projects.
• Monitors and scouts for insect pests and disease symptoms weekly.
• Implements and applies appropriate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices according to project needs. This includes applying pesticides and biological controls.
• Grows, maintains, and propagates plant material for the plant collections and educational programming.
• Autoclave plant materials as needed following transgenic protocols.
• Serves as the emergency plant care responder following a rotational schedule and holidays schedule.
• Duties as assigned to support greenhouse research as needed
• Identifies and investigates equipment and/or facility issues.
• Notifies and updates the Plant Biology Greenhouse Coordinator for mechanical, equipment or facility issues and repairs in a timely manner.
• Provides support for general greenhouse maintenance.
• Applies and removes whitewash, seasonally.
• Services the evaporative cooling systems, seasonally.
• Responds to greenhouse environmental alarms following a rotational schedule, including greenhouse emergencies.
• Waters Plants.
• Routines cleaning (sweeping, picking leaves off benches) and sanitize growing areas to avoid pests, algae, infestation.
• Inspects and identifies plants for pests, diseases and plant deficiencies letting supervisor know.
• Applies fertilizers when told or on schedule, also know how to mix fertilizers.
• Propagates, repots, and prunes plants when required.
• Maintains teaching collection in healthy state and ready to help with any projects (research or other) that arise in greenhouses.
• Provides help to students, Grads, researchers, and faculty who work in greenhouses and answer questions from the public.
• Operates loader (tractor) and mixer to prepare soil mixes and other garden machinery after being trained.
• Abilities to work in a safe and efficient manner.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism (dress, speaking, etc.).
• Inspects physical facilities and take corrective action when able or report problems to supervisor or operation Department.

General Responsibilities

• Propagates, maintains and nurtures young plant stock. Monitors nursery and greenhouse stock for pest and disease. Applies chemicals as necessary.
• Installs landscape designs by planting a variety of materials (trees, shrubs, flowers, etc.) in accordance with blueprints, drawings, sketches, or design specifications.
• Prunes and shapes trees, shrubs and other plants for most desirable appearance using pruners, limb saws, hedge shears, and loppers. Waters, fertilizes, and mulches plants.
• Operates loader and mixer to prepare soil mixes and amendments. Operates multiple types of garden machinery and performs basic preventive maintenance.
• Assists supervisor with implementing seasonal projects by coordinating tasks of other helpers. Helps supervisor with planning work schedules.
• Monitors plant stock for pest and disease. Applies appropriate treatments when necessary, including pesticide, fungicide, miticide, etc. Maintains records of chemical usage.
• Performs grounds maintenance work including weeding, seeding, mowing, snow removal and other seasonal tasks.

EDUCATION

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent (such as HSED or GED)

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 2 years Greenhouse production
• 2 years landscape or grounds-related maintenance experience with an emphasis on annual and perennial bed care

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Required

• Possesses a valid driver's license and ability to be insured by Indiana University Upon Date of Hire

SKILLS

Required

• Ability to work in a safe and efficient manner
• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to represent the company with external constituents
• Ability to drive multiple projects to successful completion
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills
• Ability to build strong customer relationships
• Knowledge of basic plant identification
• Knowledge of maintaining and planting ornamental trees, flowers, and shrubs
• Knowledge of basic pest control
• Ability to read and interpret drawings and blueprints
• Ability to use basic gardening/horticultural tools
• Ability to operate dump truck, tree spade, skid steer loader, tractor, power auger, tiller and other garden machinery

This role requires the ability to remain in a stationary position as well as the ability to move about the workplace for long durations. It requires effective communication, the ability to operate machinery, tools, and controls. The role requires the ability to ascend/descend ladders/stairs, and to position oneself in low level positions, detect a variety of chemicals and/or gases. The role requires the ability to ascend to rooftops and move in tight spaces to perform and complete inspections. The ability to remain in a stationary position as well as the ability to move about the workplace for long duration. The ability to handle high/low temperatures. This position requires the ability to effectively communicate, operate machinery, tools and control the ability to ascend/descend ladders and stairs and to position oneself in low positions, detect a variety of chemicals and/or gasses, able to move  objects weighing up to 50 pounds. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Bloomington, Indiana

Department of Biology

This is an In-person position

$37,000.00 per year

Works weekends and holidays on a rotating schedule.

Tuesday-Saturday 7:00AM-4:00PM; 1hr lunch plus(2) 15 minute breaks, or 7:30AM-4:00PM; half hr. lunch plus (2) 15 minute breaks.

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure .

Career Level: Intermediate

FLSA: Nonexempt

Job Function: Engineering, Trades & Facility

Job Family: Groundskeeping

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This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

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Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information .

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