University of Georgia
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.
To apply for this job please visit www.ugajobsearch.com.
Job Duties
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Job 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.
Benefits
TRS | USG Benefits Eligible