Function of Job:

Under general supervision of designated supervisor, maintain greenhouse plant materials, including watering, feeding, pruning, propagation, testing, and pest management; operate environmental control equipment, maintain greenhouse facility, including installation, maintenance, and repair of special equipment; and assist in research projects. 

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Maintain plant material for research and teaching, including watering, fertilizing, pruning, and propagation.
2. Apply the principles of Integrated Pest Management in scouting for insect, disease and weed infestations; identification of insect pest species, and monitoring of pest populations.
3. Apply or release chemical and biological materials to manage insect, disease, and weed pests.
4. Assist faculty, staff, and students in research projects, including constructing, installing, maintaining and repairing mechanical devices and/or equipment, and the application of chemicals or biological materials.
5. Maintain greenhouse facility, including installation, maintenance, and repair of specialized heating, ventilation, irrigation and/or other equipment.
6. Determine settings and ranges for environmental control equipment and operate such equipment, including computerized programs.
7. Maintain records and reports as required.
8. Test growing media to evaluate pH and soluble salts, including collecting, preparing, and processing of growing media and plant tissue samples.
9. Prepare fertilizer stock solutions; operate and calibrate fertilizer injection equipment.
10. Calibrate and maintain test instruments and spraying equipment.
11. Use and maintain personal protective equipment.
12. Assist in planning and production of plant stock for special events as required.
13. Maintain special plant collections as required, including vegetative and seed propagation, pruning and renovation of specimen plants.
14. Advise and supervise students as required.
15. Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications: 

1. Associate's degree in Environmental Horticulture or related curriculum, and two years of practical work experience.
2. Knowledge of greenhouse operation and management.
3. Ability to operate, maintain, and perform basic repairs to greenhouse machinery and equipment.
4. Computer skills as required by department.
5. Ability to establish and maintain effective communications and working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and the general public as required.
6. Sufficient strength and physical dexterity to perform duties and responsibilities of this job, including heavy lifting.

Additional Desirable Qualifications: 

1. Experience in college/university greenhouse experimental work.
2. NH Private Pesticide Applicator Permit.
3. Supervisory skills.

System Approval:     12/22/06

Effective Date:     11/6/06

This document is a generic classification specification of the University System of New Hampshire. Its purpose is to describe the representative responsibilities and general level of complexity and it is not a substitute for the specific job description of the individual position.

*** NOTE: Revised - original approved 9/9/75 and revised 4/6/84 as Greenhouse Assistant ***