Greenhouse Manager, Mendel's Way

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences seeks to hire a full time Greenhouse Manager at the Mendel's Way agricultural research facility in Bellefonte PA. The Mendel's Way facility includes a modern 40,000 square foot greenhouse and headhouse complex and eight acres of agricultural land on an eleven-acre property. The greenhouse and farm manager will support research activities at the facility under the supervision of the Associate Dean for Research.

Responsibilities will include:

Greenhouse Operations:

• Manage day-to-day operations of the greenhouse facilities, including climate control, irrigation, and pest management.
• Develop and implement schedules for watering, fertilization, pruning, and other necessary plant care activities.
• Coordinate rental use of greenhouse and growth chamber facilities for College of Agricultural Sciences faculty, researchers, students, and instructors. Assign greenhouse and growth chamber space for research and teaching activities. Monitor rental use of greenhouse and growth chamber facilities.

Plant Cultivation and Care:

• Oversee the cultivation and maintenance of a diverse range of plant species, including ornamental plants, crops, and experimental plants.
• Monitor and manage plant nutrition, ensuring proper fertilization, and addressing nutrient deficiencies as needed.
• Identify and address plant diseases, pests, and other issues promptly, implementing appropriate control measures to minimize damage and loss.
• Propagate plants through various methods such as seed sowing, vegetative propagation, and tissue culture.

Research Support:

• Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and students to support research projects conducted within the greenhouse.
• Assist with experimental design, data collection, and analysis related to plant growth, development, and response to various treatments.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance on greenhouse-related matters, including plant selection, experimental setup, and data interpretation.

Staff Supervision and Training:

• Recruit, train, and supervise greenhouse staff, providing guidance and support to ensure their professional development.
• Delegate tasks, establish work schedules, and ensure efficient utilization of human resources.
• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment, promoting teamwork and effective communication among staff members.

Health and Safety:

• Implement and enforce safety protocols and procedures to ensure a safe working environment for greenhouse personnel.
• Train staff on proper handling and application of chemicals, equipment operation, and emergency response procedures.
• Maintain records of safety inspections, incidents, and employee training to comply with regulatory requirements.

Outreach and Education:

• Collaborate with university departments and organizations to promote the greenhouse program and engage with the campus community.
• Organize and conduct tours, workshops, and educational programs to educate students, faculty, and the public about greenhouse operations, plant biology, and related topics.
• Provide teaching support for courses with greenhouse components. Produce and maintain teaching and demonstration crops, assist and supervise student crop production activities, supervise fabrication of teaching systems, provide classroom lectures.
• Provide facilities tours for PSU classes, prospective students and parents, school groups, and various organizations.

Budget and Resource Management:

• Develop and manage the greenhouse budget and purchasing, including forecasting expenses, tracking expenditures, and optimizing resource allocation.
• Assess greenhouse and growth chamber rental fees. Maintain rent records.
• Provide assistance for faculty, staff, and students in acquiring materials for greenhouse research and teaching activities - including field soil, peat-based plant growth media and media components, growing containers, fertilizers, plant labels, sample collection containers, building materials.

Flexible work hours and 24/7/365 on call duty is required for this position. On rare occasions, responding to greenhouse emergencies outside of normal work hours will be necessary. The candidate must acquire a PA Pesticide Applicators license within 3 months of hire and possess a valid PA driver's license.

Education and Experience:

This position typically requires a Bachelor's degree or higher and 8 or more years related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

This position requires the following clearances: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to clearances.

Application Requirements:

Please upload a resume, cover letter and contact information for 3 professional references. Applications will be reviewed immediately and will be accepted until a suitable candidate is identified.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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Bellefonte, PA

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