Plant Care Associate (Contract)
About The Position
Terrana Biosciences is seeking a highly motivated, proactive, and detail-oriented Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Plant Care Associate to support its research team by maintaining greenhouse facilities at its Research Triangle Park location in Durham, North Carolina. The role involves growing and maintaining plants, supporting greenhouse setup and upkeep, assisting with procedures and inventory, and maintaining clean production spaces. The successful candidate will be organized, comfortable in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment, and an effective communicator and team member in a collaborative, interdisciplinary setting. This is a six-month contract with the possibility of extension. The contractor will be employed by a third-party staffing company.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in horticulture, plant science, or a related field.
- Basic horticultural skills and at least 1 year of experience working with plants in a controlled environment.
- Strong understanding of safe greenhouse practices.
- Ability to work weekends and occasional holidays as needed.
- Ability to lift 50 pounds, work in hot, humid, or bright conditions, and remain on one's feet for extended periods.
- High initiative and good judgment, attention to detail, adaptability, ability to learn quickly, and efficiency in multitasking and troubleshooting.
- Experience with Microsoft Office, LIMS, various software systems, and automated greenhouse controls and irrigation systems such as Argus or Priva.
Responsibilities
- Grow and maintain plants through sowing, germinating, transplanting, watering, fertilizing, pest control, and monitoring growth conditions.
- Help develop, refine, and enforce standard operating procedures.
- Assist with controlled environment agriculture setup, build-out, and greenhouse area maintenance.
- Process plant production requests and track plant inventory using an internal tracking system.
- Clean, bleach, and maintain plant production spaces, equipment, and supplies.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Certain employee benefits may be available through the staffing company after meeting minimum criteria.
