Greenhouse Gardener Series

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Employees in positions allocated to this series participate in and/or supervise the operation of research and/or teaching greenhouses and related gardens and beds. They assist researchers in horticulture, agronomy, soils or botany with greenhouse research. They are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the greenhouse facilities and related gardens. They perform general routine maintenance of greenhouse structures and garden.

Greenhouse Gardeners typically:

• administers watering and fertility program
• prepares growing media by mixing, amending, and disinfecting
• maintains proper temperature and light regimes
• propagates plants from seed and cuttings, makes grafts, and prunes plants
• controls insects and disease in the greenhouse and gardens
• prepares outdoor beds, makes plantings, and maintains ornamental plants

The series does not include positions whose primary functions are:

• nursery maintenance or production
• orchard maintenance
• fieldwork with agronomic crops or pastures

DESCRIPTIONS OF LEVELS OF WORK

Employees at this level, under general supervision, perform work in the operation of research greenhouses and in the planting and cultivating of greenhouse plants and related plots or gardens.

A(n) Greenhouse Gardener I typically -

1. regulates light, temperature, water, humidity, and fertility regimes for various greenhouse crops;
2. performs work involved in seeding, cropping, propagation, watering, spraying and cultivation of vegetables, fruit plants, ornamentals, and turf grown in the greenhouse or related gardens;
3. mixes, amends, and disinfects soil, peat, and other ingredients for plant growth media;
4. identifies common insects and diseases; applies pesticides, fertilizers, and growth regulators;
5. transplant plants and/or turf;
6. maintains experimental plots;
7. prunes plants to correct form;
8. performs routine maintenance and repair of greenhouse and agriculture machinery and equipment;
9. operates small house and garden equipment (such as small tractors, tillers, soil steam chambers, soil shredders, greenhouse vents and cooling units, greenhouse heaters, growth chambers, walk-in coolers, pesticide sprayers, and fertilizer injectors);
10. performs seedage techniques including seed harvesting and stratification procedure;
11. performs other related duties as assigned.

Employees at this level, under direction, are responsible for and participate in the operation of research greenhouses and related plots or gardens.

A(n) Greenhouse Gardener II typically -

1. trains, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work of subordinate employees engaged in the cultivation and care of turf, trees, shrubbery, and other plant materials in the greenhouses and on the grounds;
2. participates in the selection and discipline of subordinate employees;
3. make periodic inspections of greenhouse crops, plant collections, and grounds, initiating actions to maintain optimum growth as required;
4. assists researchers by monitoring crops, providing routine cultural assistance, and developing experimental plots;
5. educates students, researchers, and subordinate employees in the safe and proper use of pesticide and equipment; enforces safety regulations;
6. supervises and participates in the maintenance and repair of greenhouse and agricultural machinery and equipment;
7. recommends the purchase and/or replacement of greenhouse equipment ire;
8. maintains inventory of material and supplies needed in greenhouse and garden operations;
9. maintains necessary records of general greenhouse and garden work performed and pesticide applications;
10. supervises field layout and construction of display beds and borders of annual and perennial plants;
11. prepares spraying and feeding program for care and maintenance of all greenhouse and garden plants;
12. prepares greenhouse operating program for propagating and growing plants used in display gardens and for decoration;
13. performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Any one or combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the categories below:
   1. Coursework in horticultural, agriculture, botany, or a closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
   2. Work experience in greenhouse crop production or research greenhouses; and related gardens.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of the propagation, planting, care, and maintenance of horticultural and agronomic crops.
2. Knowledge of greenhouse and garden operations and equipment used in both greenhouses and gardens.
3. Knowledge of greenhouse and equipment maintenance.
4. Knowledge of plant insects, disease, and methods of control.

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Any one or combination totaling five (5) years (60 months) from the categories below:
   1. Coursework in horticultural, agriculture, botany, or a closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. Work experience in greenhouse management, greenhouse crop production, and related gardens or in the operation of research greenhouses and related gardens.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of plant physiology and plant growth and morphogenesis.
2. Knowledge of soil structure and function.
3. Knowledge of greenhouse heating and cooling systems.
4. Knowledge of pesticide application techniques and safety.
5. Knowledge of greenhouse and garden insects and disease; ability to identify the pest and select proper control measures.
6. Ability to supervise.