Greenhouse Supervisor

The Land Institute•Salina, KS

2d•$57,000 - $71,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Greenhouse Supervisor is the hands-on operational leader with project-level decision-making responsibility, ensuring The Land Institute's greenhouse research support program runs smoothly through expert mechanical maintenance and attentive plant care. This role combines technical expertise in greenhouse systems—troubleshooting irrigation lines, repairing environmental controls, and maintaining HVAC equipment with skilled horticultural work, including watering, transplanting, and monitoring plant health across diverse research projects. As a collaborative team player, you'll work side-by-side with facilities staff to solve complex mechanical challenges, partner with research teams to understand their growing needs, and ensure every system and every plant receives the expert care required for groundbreaking perennial agriculture science. You'll get your hands dirty fixing a malfunctioning boiler one hour and carefully transplanting experimental seedlings the next, all while serving as the reliable, go-to expert that both operations and research staff depend on. If you love the satisfaction of hands-on problem-solving, take pride in maintaining both machines and living systems, thrive in collaborative environments where teamwork is essential, and find meaning in work that directly enables scientific discovery, this position offers the perfect blend of technical mastery, horticultural skill, and tangible impact.

Requirements

Associate's degree in horticulture, plant science, facilities management, mechanical systems, or related technical field (Bachelor's degree preferred)
Minimum 3-5 years of hands-on experience in greenhouse operations, controlled environment agriculture, or horticultural facilities management
Demonstrated experience with greenhouse environmental control systems (Argus, or similar platforms strongly preferred)
Proven expertise in irrigation system management
Working knowledge of HVAC systems, boilers, cooling systems, and greenhouse mechanical equipment
Experience performing maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on greenhouse infrastructure and systems
Ability to coordinate work activities and provide technical guidance to team members
Demonstrated ability to manage projects and processes independently with minimal supervision
Valid driver's license

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in horticulture, plant science, agricultural engineering, or related field
5+ years of experience in research greenhouse or commercial greenhouse operations
Advanced certification or training in Argus Controls or other greenhouse automation platforms
Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)
Pesticide applicator's license or willingness to obtain
Experience in a research institution or academic greenhouse environment
Maintenance planning, tracking, and forecasting experience
Understanding of integrated pest management principles
Expert hands-on knowledge of greenhouse environmental control systems, including programming, monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization
Advanced proficiency with irrigation systems, water quality management
Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to diagnose and repair HVAC equipment, electrical systems, plumbing, and structural components
Working knowledge of plant physiology, growing requirements, and cultural practices for diverse plant species
Proficiency with greenhouse automation software (Argus Controls experience strongly preferred) and CMMS (Limble preferred) for work order tracking
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace
Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple competing demands
Excellent problem-solving abilities with a systematic diagnostic approach to technical challenges
Proactive, self-directed work style with the ability to work independently and make sound operational decisions
Customer service orientation with the ability to communicate technical information clearly to researchers with varying expertise levels
Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively with researchers, operations staff, and external contractors
Physical stamina and capability for hands-on work in greenhouse environments
Commitment to safety culture and ability to model and enforce safety protocols consistently

Responsibilities

Maintain operational reliability and safety of all greenhouse facilities, including irrigation systems, spray equipment, shading systems, ventilation, fans, cooling pads, heaters/boilers, structural elements, and environmental control equipment
Perform routine and preventive maintenance on greenhouse infrastructure, making decisions on maintenance prioritization and resource allocation; track all activities in computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
Monitor and troubleshoot greenhouse environmental control systems daily; analyze irregularities, determine corrective actions, and document issues for the Greenhouse Manager
Execute hands-on repairs on mechanical, electrical, and structural systems; assess complexity to determine when to handle in-house versus escalating to Facilities staff or outside contractors
Manage maintenance, calibration, and monitoring of growth chambers and growth rooms, including lighting, temperature, humidity, and sanitation systems
Respond promptly to equipment failures, system alarms, and operational emergencies to protect research materials and maintain environmental stability
Maintain clean, orderly, and safe work environments in compliance with safety standards and chemical-handling protocols
Leads and executes regular and annual cleaning and sanitations of all greenhouses, grow rooms, and chambers.
Make day-to-day decisions on climate control settings, communicating with Greenhouse Manager on strategic changes; manage temperature, humidity, light cycles, shade schedules, and energy-saving strategies
Program, monitor, and optimize greenhouse environmental control systems (Argus, Microgrow) to maintain precise growing conditions for diverse research projects
Manage and optimize irrigation systems, ensuring reliable water and nutrient delivery across all greenhouse zones.
Diagnose and resolve irrigation issues, including scheduling, filtration, pressure, and sanitation; make independent decisions on system adjustments and repairs
Conduct regular system checks and calibrations on sensors, controllers, valves, and delivery equipment to maintain accuracy
Manage a comprehensive greenhouse preventive maintenance program, including schedules, documentation, and inspection protocols, to ensure equipment reliability
Independently create and implement tactical maintenance plans that support operational continuity and research objectives
Conduct regular facility assessments to identify wear, malfunctions, or safety hazards; make timely decisions on corrective action
Develop maintenance forecasts and recommend improvements to maintenance strategies that enhance facility resilience, energy efficiency, and sustainability
Collaborate with research and operations programs to schedule maintenance activities that minimize disruption to research
Maintain an inventory of critical spare parts, tools, and maintenance supplies for rapid response
Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for maintenance tasks and equipment operation, and document them in our CMMS.
Manage relationships with external contractors and vendors for specialized repairs, equipment calibration, system installation, and technical support
Make decisions on contractor selection and scope of work in coordination with the Greenhouse Manager and the Facilities team
Prepare work requests, obtain quotes, evaluate proposals, and recommend contractor selections
Coordinate contractor activities on-site, ensuring work meets specifications, safety requirements, and quality standards; serve as the primary on-site contact
Review completed work, conduct acceptance inspections, and document contractor performance
Serve as primary frontline contact for greenhouse users, advising researchers (postdoctoral researchers, research technicians, lab managers, scientists) on facility capabilities, operational considerations, and best practices
Communicate facility capabilities, limitations, and operational constraints to research users, ensuring integration into research plans and experimental designs
Provide expert operational guidance on lighting cycles, temperature and humidity optimization, and watering schedules
Perform hands-on plant care work as assigned by the Greenhouse Manager, including watering, fertilizing, transplanting, pruning, staking, harvesting, and general plant maintenance to support research projects
Execute specialized growing protocols developed by researchers or the Greenhouse Manager, ensuring precise adherence to experimental requirements and documentation standards
Monitor plant health across greenhouse facilities, identifying stress symptoms, nutrient deficiencies, or cultural problems; take corrective action with guidance from the greenhouse manager
Troubleshoot plant performance issues in collaboration with greenhouse manager & researchers, diagnosing environmental, cultural, nutritional, or operational causes and making practical recommendations
Develop and deliver hands-on training to research users on greenhouse equipment operation, environmental control systems, irrigation systems, and safety protocols
Assist Greenhouse Manager with space allocation, bench assignments, and equipment usage to accommodate multiple concurrent research projects
Assist with IPM tasks as assigned by the Greenhouse Manager, including pesticide applications, beneficial insect releases, pest monitoring, and scouting
Conduct routine pest and disease scouting, documenting observations, and reporting findings to the Greenhouse Manager
Apply approved pesticides and biological control agents following EPA Worker Protection Standards, label requirements, and institutional safety protocols
Maintain and monitor beneficial insect colonies used for biological pest control
Support IPM record-keeping, including pest monitoring logs and pesticide application records
Coordinate daily work activities with Greenhouse Specialist, Greenhouse Assistant, and assigned research support personnel as delegated by the Greenhouse Manager
Provide technical guidance, hands-on training, and knowledge sharing to greenhouse team members
Monitor work quality and adherence to safety protocols, communicating any performance or safety concerns to the Greenhouse Manager
Serve as a working lead during operations, providing direction while actively performing hands-on maintenance and plant care work alongside the team
Make project-level decisions on daily maintenance prioritization, resource allocation, system adjustments, and operational optimizations to ensure reliability
Identify operational challenges, inefficiencies, or capacity constraints and develop solutions that improve efficiency, safety, and research support
Propose program-level strategies and independently execute those plans with a high degree of accuracy and accountability to the Greenhouse Manager for facility improvements, equipment upgrades, and operational enhancements.
Propose strategies for approval.
Serve as backup emergency contact during weekends and holidays in coordination with the greenhouse manager.
Exercise sound judgment in emergency situations, making rapid decisions to protect research materials, ensure personnel safety, and maintain facility integrity.