Horticulture Lab Technician

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Tidewater Community College in Chesapeake is seeking a Part-Time Horticulture Lab Technician to assist in the horticulture department laboratories and greenhouse under supervision.

You will handle basic plant care, soil preparation, potting, fertilization, pest inspections, and routine sanitation. The role supports hydroponics systems, outdoor prep, and data recording, with weekend and holiday work on a rotating schedule.

Qualifications

• Basic horticulture knowledge including watering and fertilization.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Willingness to work under supervision or independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to stand, walk, lift, push, pull, reach, bend and work outdoors.

Responsibilities

• Care for plants in the greenhouse and lab under supervision and instruction.
• Prepare soil, pot plants, fertilize, water, weed, and record pest information.
• Assist with sanitation, cleaning duties, and organization of materials.
• Support hydroponics systems and outdoor plant prep work.
• Work weekends/holidays on a rotating schedule; access to greenhouse with escorted entry when needed.

Skills

Horticulture basics

Following instructions

Communication skills

Work under supervision/unsupervised

Job description

Title: Horticulture Lab Technician

Agency: Tidewater Community College

Location: Chesapeake - 550

FLSA: Nonexempt

Hiring Range: $14.81 per hour, part-time

Full Time or Part Time: Part Time

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.

Minimum 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