Plant Growth Manager

Washington State University; Prosser (WA); On-site; USD 49,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Tuition waiver

Job summary

Washington State University’s Clean Plant Center Northwest in Prosser, WA, is seeking a Plant Growth Manager to direct propagation and maintenance of a wide variety of crops in greenhouse and screenhouse facilities. You will supervise staff, coordinate with scientists, and ensure rigorous plant health and quarantine practices.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on horticultural expertise, supervisory experience, and a commitment to biosecurity and research integrity, with willingness to travel as

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with three years related experience.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain.
• Ability to obtain WSDA Pesticide Applicator license within 3 months.
• Flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends.
• At least one year of supervisory experience.
• Experience growing horticultural crops in controlled environments.
• Proficient in perennial grafting and vegetative propagation.
• Knowledge of phytosanitary, quarantine, or biosecurity frameworks.
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Ability to perform physical labor and travel.

Responsibilities

• Direct propagation and maintenance of a wide variety of horticultural crops.
• Supervise staff in greenhouse and screenhouse operations.
• Coordinate with scientific staff to support research objectives.
• Enforce strict biosecurity and quarantine protocols.
• Assist with scheduling, training, and safety compliance.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Horticultural crops

Grafting & propagation

Phytosanitary/biosecurity

Communication skills

Driver's license

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on: September 1, 2026.

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s)

1138-YN_ADMINPRO - Coordinator

Business Title

Plant Growth Manager

Employee Type

Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Details

The Opportunity: The Clean Plant Center Northwest (CPCNW) is located at the Washington State University Prosser Irrigated Agricultural Research and Extension Center (IAREC). CPCNW safeguards U.S. specialty crops by testing, diagnosing, and eradicating pathogens from fruit trees, grapevines, and hops. By maintaining and distributing pathogen-tested germplasm, CPCNW facility provides growers, nurseries, and custom propagators with healthy, clean planting materials to support agricultural security. The Plant Growth Manager based in Prosser, you will directly contribute to CPCNW mission by managing the propagation and maintenance of a wide variety of horticultural crops across greenhouse and screenhouse facilities, directing staff in the execution of precise propagation techniques — including specialized grafting methods for perennial crops. Coordinating closely with scientific staff to support research objectives while enforcing strict plant health and quarantine protocols. The ideal candidate combines strong hands‑on horticultural expertise with proven supervisory experience and a rigorous commitment to biosecurity and research integrity.

Additional Information

This is a full time (100% FTE), temporary position. This position is overtime eligible.

This is a temporary position expected to end on August 31, 2027. The position is renewed depending on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Monthly Salary

$4,386.85 to $6,580.27 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to area of specialization and three (3) years of experience directly related to the specialty area. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.
• Able to obtain a WSDA Pesticide Applicator’s license within 3 months of hire to address the liability of making recommendations to Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee stakeholders.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evening and weekend commitments.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience.
• Experience growing and maintaining horticultural crops within controlled environments: agriculture, greenhouses, or screenhouses.
• Demonstrated proficiency in perennial plant grafting and vegetative propagation methods.
• Demonstrated understanding of phytosanitary, quarantine, or biosecurity frameworks.
• Effective communication skills (oral and written), with a track record of efficiently assisting research team.
• Ability to perform physical labor (bending, lifting, standing for extended periods) under varying greenhouse temperature conditions.
• Strong observational skills to catch subtle plant stress and pest pressure.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Intermediate level software skills including the use of Microsoft Office database, spreadsheet, and word processing tools.
• Ability to compose concise and accurate written and oral reports for project leaders.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Area/College

College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resources (CAHNRS)

Department Name

Clean Plant Center Northwest

Location

Prosser, WA

Background Check

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type

Full time

Position Term

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/