GREENHOUSE ASSISTANT

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Job description

About the role...

We are looking for a dynamic and self-motivated Greenhouse Assistant to join our fast-growing and collaborative team. The primary function of this position is to assist the Greenhouse Associates and Controlled Environment Lead in all aspects of greenhouse operations, including plant care, basic greenhouse maintenance, and phenotypic data collection. The greenhouse assistant will enthusiastically develop competency in and complete all tasks established by the Controlled Environment Lead to effectively and efficiently grow quality plant materials in a production-scale facility at West Lafayette, IN. The candidate must enjoy a "start-up" atmosphere and be flexible, show initiative, good judgment and be willing to take on additional tasks and responsibilities as needed to achieve goals and deliverables. Two openings are currently available, one with a primary focus on plant production and a second with a primary focus on data collection and seed processing.

As a Greenhouse Assistant you will...

• Maintain a clean greenhouse environment to support robust plant growth
• Assume primary responsibility for preparing all potting media required in the production pipeline (for production-focused role)
• Assist the Plant Sampling Team with transfer of seedlings from tissue culture to soil.
• Transplant, irrigate, fertilize, prune, clean, harvest, and devitalize corn and soybean plants in a production-scale environment
• Quickly identify and document potential diseases and insect pests and notify appropriate stakeholders
• Assist in pollinations as requested
• Assume primary responsibility for processing, packaging, and documenting all seed harvests (for seed processing-focused role)
• Assist in data collection and recording for plant health and trait characterization projects
• Maintain detailed, accurate, and comprehensible records of all tasks performed

You bring...

• Ability to work Full time plus extended hours during the peak periods of planting, crossing or harvesting including nights, weekends, and select holidays as requested
• Ability to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis, and to function in physical positions such as walking, turning, twisting, reaching and squatting
• Ability to work extended hours in a hot, humid greenhouse environment
• Strong time-management skills
• Focused attention to detail, ownership, and execution of assigned tasks
• Strong communication skills and collaborative approach, open to giving and receiving ideas, perspectives, and feedback
• Adaptability and ability to thrive in a constantly changing work environment

Bonus Qualifications...

• An Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Plant Science, Horticulture, Plant Biology, or a related field is desirable but not required
• Experience working with corn and/or soybeans in a greenhouse environment