Under supervision of Lab Research Supervisors, incumbent provides weekday and occasional weekend support on various FPS crops' maintenance, as well as disease and pest control in Foundation Plant Services'(FPS) controlled or non-controlled environment in greenhouses and related facilities. Incumbent assists in weekday and occasional weekend technical support and maintenance of FPS greenhouses, related facilities and associated structures. Incumbent is responsible for the propagation of various FPS crops, including propagating from cuttings, seeds, as well as grafting; keeping accurate and extensive records, including but not limited to careful attention to plant selections and ID.
Apply By Date July 9th 2026 by 11:59PM
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position
- No minimum education required.
- Experience with computer programs, such as Microsoft Excel, Words, and online databases.
- Knowledge of maintaining various crops and monitoring various crops' plant health, pest and disease problems.
- Knowledge and/or experience of propagating plants with different techniques including sowing seed, direct rooting of cuttings, setting runners, and grafting. Knowledge to identify good quality propagation materials such as cuttings, budsticks, and seed.
- Knowledge and judgment needed to determine watering requirements for plants grown in various sized containers and soil medias.
- Knowledge of operating greenhouse controls and fertilizer injection equipment.
- High attention to detail and ability to keep accurate and extensive records.
Preferred Qualifications
- A valid Qualified Applicator Certificate or License to oversee and perform pesticide application.
- Experience maintaining various crops within greenhouses, shadehouses, and screenhouses, and experience with programming computerized greenhouse environmental controls.
- Knowledge of California Department of Food Agricultural Pesticide regulations Pesticide labels, MSDS, manuals, directives, and guidelines.
- Sufficient knowledge to trouble shoot growth chambers, greenhouses and related equipment.
- Knowledge of UC Davis Policy and Procedure Manual.
Key Responsibilities
- 40% - Plant Maintenance
- 30% - Greenhouse Technical Support and Maintenance
- 20% - Plant Propagation
- 5% - Orders and Shipping
- 5% - General Operations
Department Overview
Foundation Plant Services (FPS) is a self-supporting service center in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis whose primary function is to produce, maintain, and distribute virus-tested plant materials of deciduous fruit and nut trees, grapevines, strawberries, and roses for research and public commercial use. FPS also operates the National Importation program through which grape, fruit and nut tree, and rose germplasm is imported, tested for disease, and made available for public distribution. FPS manages 140 acres of fields in and around Davis. The gross income of FPS is approximately $8 million per year.
POSITION INFORMATION
- Salary or Pay Range: $25.03/hr. - $33.73/hr.
- Salary Frequency: Bi-weekly
- Salary Grade: STEPS
- UC Job Title: NURSERY TCHN SR
- UC Job Code: 009561
- Number of Positions: 2
- Appointment Type: Staff: Career
- Percentage of Time: 100%
- Shift (Work Schedule): Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-3:30PM
- Location: Davis
- Union Representation: SX-Service Workers
- Benefits Eligible: Yes
- This position is 100% on-site
Benefits
Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.
If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html
- High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
- UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
- Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
- Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
- WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
- On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
- Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
- Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here
Physical Demands
- Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
- Bending/Stooping - Never 0 Hours
- Squatting/Kneeling - Never 0 Hours
- Twisting - Never 0 Hours
- Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Never 0 Hours
- Reaching overhead - Never 0 Hours
- Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
Environmental Demands
- Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Never 0 Hours
- Loud noise levels - Never 0 Hours
- Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Never 0 Hours
- Microwave/Radiation - Never 0 Hours
- Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Never 0 Hours
- Extreme Temperatures - Never 0 Hours
- Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Never 0 Hours
Mental Demands
- Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
Work Environment
UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.
Incumbent works occasional overtime, weekends, and holidays. Incumbent is required to participate in Department injury and illness prevention program. Incumbent works in enclosed areas treated with pesticides while applying pesticide applications and/or after re-entry periods is reached. Incumbent must be able to tolerate field and greenhouse hot and humid conditions.
Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging
At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.
As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere
To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks
#CA-DE
University of California - Davis
vision insurance, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, long term disability, tuition reimbursement
Jun 26, 2026