Horticulture Lab Technician

Virginia's Community College System; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Tidewater Community College is seeking a part-time Horticulture Lab Technician to assist in greenhouse and lab operations. The role involves general plant care, soil prep, pest monitoring, fertilization, and record keeping.

Expect weekend work and a rotating schedule, with access control and campus safety requirements. Hours are about 10 per week with mornings and afternoons on weekdays and weekends; temporary assignment from October to December 23, 2026.

Qualifications

• Basic horticulture knowledge including watering and fertilization.
• Ability to follow instructions and communicate in writing and speech.
• Willingness to work under supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to stand, walk, lift, push/pull, and work outdoors in varied weather.

Responsibilities

• Assist in operations of the horticulture labs and greenhouse under supervision.
• Care for plants, soil preparation, potting, pest scouting, fertilization, and watering.
• Clean/sanitize facilities, organize materials, and assist with record keeping.
• Participate in plant sales and club activities; rotate weekend schedule.

Skills

Basic horticulture knowledge

Follow instructions

Work under supervision

Outdoor work capability

Job description

Working Title Horticulture Lab Technician Role Title Education Support Assistant Role Code 29141-SW FLSA Nonexempt 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 Emergency/Essential Personnel No EEO Category 3-Technicians Full Time or Part Time Part Time Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs- No Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference? 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

Posting Number WGE_3502P Recruitment Type General Public - G Number of Vacancies 1 Position End Date (if temporary) Job Open Date 10/08/2026 Job Close Date 10/15/2026 Open Until Filled No Agency Website TCC.EDU Contact Name Lizette White Email [e-mail] Phone Number Special Instructions to Applicants In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155

Additional Information

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

Background Check Statement Disclaimer

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

VCCS uses 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.

Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/101976