CALS- Greenhouse Grower S05- Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (CUAES)

Cornell University

24d • Onsite

About The Position

SO5 Greenhouse Grower The Opportunity As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” inclusion and belonging are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all. Cornell Core values As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture. While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success About the College The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world. The Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (CUAES) is dedicated to sustainable "science for life," in its two core separate but related functions -- the operation of world-class research facilities throughout the state and the generation and application of research-based knowledge through the administration of federal formula grants. The CUAES greenhouse operations on and around the Cornell Campus are, with 155,000 sq ft, the largest non-commercial greenhouse facility in the state. The 164 compartments are primarily used as teaching and research facilities, housing 200 to 300 research projects at any given time. Plant services for all of these projects are provided by the dedicated greenhouse staff, which is responsible for the set-up, daily care and maintenance.This S05 Greenhouse Grower position will assist the Greenhouse Supervisor with the daily operations of the CALS Greenhouses by: Providing excellent care for high value plants, closely following direction provided, including watering and fertilizing of plants. Maintain greenhouses and work areas in a clean, sanitary and orderly condition. Pay close attention to detail and adhere to high standards of reliability and timeliness. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. Monitor the greenhouse equipment and environment and promptly report problems. Assist with the set-up, operation, maintenance and repair of greenhouse equipment. Wash and sanitize pots, trays, tools, greenhouses and work areas. As instructed, scout for pests and diseases. Perform advanced plant care such as propagation, staking and pruning, as directed. Adhere to sustainability guidelines and Best Management Practices for Cornell Greenhouses. Maintain close communication with the greenhouse supervisor. Following all applicable safety regulations, trainings, rules and procedures. Be able to work within all greenhouse facilities as needed. This position is full-time (39 hours/week) and will be located in Ithaca, New York. There is a requirement to work regular weekends, holidays, and the occasional extended hours. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and one to two years of greenhouse growing experience with demonstrateed horticultural plant care skills.
• Proven track record of maintaining a high level of accuracy in all tasks
• Proven competence for observing and identifying plant stressors.
• Physically able to regularly climb and work from a ladder; bend/kneel, climb under benches and equipment; efficiently shovel dense materials
• Ability to lift over 50 pounds.
• Ability to work work in all temperature conditions including extreme cold and warm.
• Able to safely and effectively work with shop hand tools, portable drills and power saws.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively in a team as well as independently.
• Able to adjust to changing priorities, maintain a cooperative attitude, and treat others with professionalism and consideration.
• Exhibit good organizational skills and close attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must have and maintain a valid New York State driver’s license and be approved to drive on university business.
• Have have and maintain reliable transportation.
• Must complete and maintain Federal Worker Protection Standard Training offered by the university.
• Must complete all safety trainings as specified by their supervisor and Cornell EH&S.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, e-mail, and web browsers to communicate on a daily basis with coworkers.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree in greenhouse management.
• Successful completion of formal coursework in greenhouse plant care.
• Research greenhouse plant care experience.
• Experience in the care of a wide range of tropical, agricultural, woody, and perennial plants.
• Greenhouse IPM and Scouting experience or training.

Responsibilities

• Providing excellent care for high value plants, closely following direction provided, including watering and fertilizing of plants.
• Maintain greenhouses and work areas in a clean, sanitary and orderly condition.
• Pay close attention to detail and adhere to high standards of reliability and timeliness.
• Monitor the greenhouse equipment and environment and promptly report problems.
• Assist with the set-up, operation, maintenance and repair of greenhouse equipment.
• Wash and sanitize pots, trays, tools, greenhouses and work areas.
• As instructed, scout for pests and diseases.
• Perform advanced plant care such as propagation, staking and pruning, as directed.
• Adhere to sustainability guidelines and Best Management Practices for Cornell Greenhouses.
• Maintain close communication with the greenhouse supervisor.
• Following all applicable safety regulations, trainings, rules and procedures.
• Be able to work within all greenhouse facilities as needed.

Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands.
• We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
• To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED