Horticulture Lab Technician

Virginia Community Colleges; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

Tidewater Community College is seeking an Education Support Assistant to assist in the horticulture laboratories and greenhouse. You will handle general plant care, cleaning, and support for lab assignments under faculty supervision.

Responsibilities include preparing soil, potting plants, pest inspections, and hydroponics work. Must be flexible to weekend shifts and a rotating schedule, with mornings and afternoons on weekdays and weekends.

Qualifications

• Basic horticulture knowledge including watering, fertilization and plant care.
• Ability to follow instructions and communicate effectively.
• Ability to work under supervision and independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to stand, walk, lift, push/pull, and work outdoors in varying weather.

Responsibilities

• Assist in operations of horticulture department laboratories and greenhouse.
• Care for plants, clean facilities, support lab assignments.
• Move plants between lab and greenhouse and work with hydroponics systems.
• Be available on weekends and holidays for watering and plant care.

Skills

Basic horticulture knowledge

Pest scouting

Plant care

Outdoor/ greenhouse labor

Education

Tools

Job description

Title

Education Support Assistant

Role Code

29141-SW

Pay Band

01

Position Number

295W0646

Agency

Tidewater Community College

Division

Tidewater Community College (Div)

Work Location

Chesapeake - 550

Hiring Range

$14.81 per hour, part-time

EEO Category

Full Time or Part Time

Telework

No

Bilingual requirement

No

Work Schedule

10 hours per week to be scheduled

The hours will vary each week according to the planting season in the greenhouses. Must have flexible schedule and be available mornings and afternoons on weekdays and weekends.

Sensitive Position

No

Job Description

Tidewater Community College has served South Hampton Roads – both students and employers – for 50 years. It has grown from 1 campus into a regional educational and economic force. TCC is the largest provider of higher education and workforce services in Hampton Roads, enrolling nearly 25,000 students in 2024-25. Founded in 1968 as a part of the Virginia Community College System, Tidewater Community College ( TCC ) services South Hampton Roads with 4 campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, 7 regional centers and 2 important cultural institutions. The college had 3,399 graduates in 2024-2025, 40 percent of whom pursued degrees that would let them transfer to 4-year institutions. Of South Hampton Roads residents enrolled in higher education 33% enrolled at TCC . TCC’s institutional accreditation is affirmed through 2027 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

This is a temporary position starting October and ending by December 23, 2026

Job Description Summary:

Assist in operations of the horticulture department laboratories and greenhouse under direct and indirect supervision and instruction by horticulture department faculty and the horticulture lab and research specialist. General care of plants, cleaning of facilities, and support other horticulture lab assignments.

Function

Follows instructions under the direction of the Horticulture Greenhouse Instructor and Horticulture Lab Manager to care for plants in the greenhouse such as preparing soil, potting plants, insect pest inspections, fertilization, weeding, sanitation, and watering of crops. Moving plants from the lab to the greenhouse. Working with the hydroponics systems and general plant prep work in the lab. Often working outdoors and inside the greenhouse. Scouting for insects, recording pest information.

Tasks include the following

• Cleaning duties and sanitation of, plants, lab and greenhouse.
• Sweeping, weeding, organizing materials and tools. Labeling, tagging and assisting with record keeping duties: such as insect and pest scouting, recording pH, temperatures, fertilization rates.
• Basic greenhouse and outdoor plant care duties, watering, fertilization, calibration of equipment, mixing, seeding, filling pots, sanitation, weeding, and preparing soil and media.
• Participate in Horticulture club plant sales and preparation and clean up. Will have access code to greenhouse and will have permission to enter lab if necessary escorted by security if faculty are not on campus. Available to work on weekends and holidays.

Must be available to work on a rotating schedule on weekends for watering plants and during the day under the supervision of the Lab Manager.

Special Assignments

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSA's/Required Qualifications

• Basic horticulture knowledge such as watering and fertilization of plants and plant and insect identification.
• Ability to follow instructions and communication in both written and oral formats.
• Work under supervision and unsupervised in an average to fast paced environment.
• The ability stand, walk, lift, push, pull, reach, bend and work outdoors in extreme weather conditions.

Additional Considerations

N/A

Operation of a State Vehicle

No

Supervises Employees

Yes

Required Travel

N/A

Posting Number

WGE_3502P

Recruitment Type

General Public - G

Number of Vacancies

1

Job Open Date

10/08/2026

Job Close Date

10/15/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Agency Website

TCC.EDU

Contact Information

Name: Lizette White

Email: [e-mail]

Phone Number

Candidate Screening

The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

EEO Statement

The Virginia Community College System ( VCCS ) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

ADA Statement

The Virginia Community College System ( VCCS ) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts ( ADA and ADAAA ), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.

E-Verify Statement

VCCSuses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).