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PGF Greenhouse Professional

University of Georgia

retirement plan

United States, Georgia, Athens

Apr 28, 2025

Posting Details

Posting Number	S13514P
Working Title	PGF Greenhouse Professional
Department	CAES-Greenhouses
About the University of Georgia	Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.
About the College/Unit/Department	At Plant Growth Facilities ( PGF), we are committed to supporting cutting-edge agricultural research in controlled environments. Serving the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences ( CAES), we provide state-of-the-art greenhouses, growth chambers, classrooms, and lab storage facilities tailored to the needs of our faculty and researchers. Our commitment to staying engaged with our community ensures that we proactively adapt to support their evolving research demands while continuously enhancing our facilities to advance the future of agricultural science and innovation.
College/Unit/Department website	https://pgf.caes.uga.edu/
Posting Type	External
Retirement Plan	TRS
Employment Type	Employee
Benefits Eligibility	Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time	Full Time
Work Schedule
Additional Schedule Information	To be determined by Superintendent.
Advertised Salary	$45,000
Posting Date	04/28/2025
Open until filled	Yes
Closing Date
Proposed Starting Date	06/01/2025
Special Instructions to Applicants
Location of Vacancy	Athens Area
EEO Policy Statement	The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement	The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Position Information

Classification Title	Research Paraprofessional/Professional
FLSA	Non-Exempt
FTE	1.00
Minimum Qualifications	Requires technical knowledge in the field acquired through an apprenticeship, a 2-year degree, or professional certificate. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.
Preferred Qualifications
Position Summary	The position oversees all daily operations for any assigned Plant Growth Facilities ( PGF) subset located within the University of Georgia-Athens Campus, and executes regular maintenance and upkeep tasks to ensure research integrity, user safety and to support teaching efforts. The incumbent will be among a team of individuals with like assignments and is encouraged to contribute in a collaborative manner with fellow PGF personnel. The incumbent will be available on site during normal working hours and may perform occasional weekend work on an emergency basis to ensure optimum plant growth. This position will supervise, direct and train part time labor and/or hourly student workers. The incumbent reports to the Plant Growth Facilities Superintendent.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies	Knowledge of plant growth and care as well as pest management in the greenhouse and growth chambers Sufficient technical skills to successfully maintain and operate greenhouse equipment, environmental controls, and growth chambers Cooperative and helpful to greenhouse users Ability to supervise and motivate employees
Physical Demands	This is an active, physical position. Some lifting of fertilizer bags, soil mix containers, and other greenhouse supplies. Shoveling quantities of soil into mixers and moving the soil after mixing and sterilization, operating equipment, and moving pots and plants, all in a potentially warm, humid greenhouse environment. Pesticide application involves wearing the appropriate protective gear and carrying spray equipment through the greenhouses. Driving as needed to perform job duties.
Is driving a responsibility of this position?	Yes
Is this a Position of Trust?	Yes
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?	No
Does this position require a P-Card?	No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?	No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?	No
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)	Yes
Credit and P-Card policy	Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy	Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Facilities and Equipment Maintenance:

Monitor and maintain the structure, components, function and cleanliness for all assigned headhouses, greenhouses and growth chambers to promote faculty, students, staff and visitor safety and preserve and protect all research projects and the integrity of the data.
Maintain outdoor spaces next to the structures in a clean and orderly fashion by addressing pest and pathogen threats and keep areas free and clear of waste and/or unused and obsolete equipment and consumables.
Maintain equipment, climate controls, growth chambers, and vehicles in a safe and working condition.
Tasks may involve occasional weekend work on an emergency basis and may need aid from seasonal hourly laborers and student workers under the direction from the incumbent.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Ongoing Research Support:

Conduct daily monitoring and scouting for pests and diseases and apply pesticides as needed, including restricted-use pesticides.
Assist in biological pest control program and work towards the vision of sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) practices.
Maintain pesticide application log, biological control log, MSD sheets, and other relevant information on the PGF shared drive.
Monitor greenhouse and growth chambers to ensure that environmental controls are working and that proper growing conditions are achievable; report aberrant findings to the PGF Superintendent.
Assist in project-specific cleaning, fertilization, pest management, harvest, disposal, and other tasks in coordination with the PGF Superintendent.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Research Coordination and Consulting:

Implement additional tasks, ideas, and priorities aimed at enhancing the user experience for faculty and students.
Interact with faculty, students and staff in a friendly and helpful manner, answering questions regarding PGF policies and the utilization of available resources.
Provide training to PGF users on safety guidelines and offer limited technical support for research project design and implementation assistance.
Promptly inform the PGF superintendent of the any additional space requests from labs.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Shared Resource Coordination:

Inventory and monitor the use of shared resources including soil, fertilizer, pesticides, PPE, pots, tools and related materials.
Maintain regular communication and coordination with other CAES-PGF Professionals and inform the PGF Superintendent regarding material and inventory acquisition, storage inquiries, and disposal of inventory items.
Regularly communicate with the Plant Growth Facilities Superintendent and other Growth Facilities Professionals regarding shared use of equipment, updates on assets condition, repair and maintenance needs, supply requests, policy and procedure updates, recommendations, and concerns.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Additional Duties Consistent with Research Support Obligations:

Develop good public relations by leading facility tours and assisting with teaching, workshops, labs, and other university and community engagement activities.
Update the shared maintenance log with maintenance and repair activities conducted on greenhouses and growth chambers.
Acquire and maintain necessary licenses and certifications.
Assists other PGF professionals by covering weekend or holidays watering on a rotational basis if needed.
Maintain additional records for duties performed beyond the scope of this description.

Percentage of time