Research Support Staff

University-of-Hawaii-System; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Hawai'i at Manoa - Lyon Arboretum seeks a Research Support Staff to maintain greenhouse plantings, assist with plant data records, and propagate tropical plants. The role involves pest management, customer information, and coordination of plant sale events on a busy arboretum site.

The ideal candidate has a horticulture-related degree, strong PC skills, and the ability to lift 50 pounds and work on uneven terrain in varying conditions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, botany, natural resource management or related field.
• 0 years of progressively responsible professional experience or equivalent combination.
• Knowledge of pesticides and hazardous materials regulations.
• Ability to operate a PC and use word processing software.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and work on uneven terrain.

Responsibilities

• Maintains greenhouse plantings including watering, fertilizing, pest and weed control, repotting, labeling, mixing planting media, and inventory.
• Assists collections managers with maintaining and updating data on plant collections using computer-based programs.
• Performs propagation of tropical plants by seeds, cuttings, air layering, grafting, rhizome or corm division.
• Assists in implementing integrated pest management strategies on greenhouse collections.
• Provides horticultural and botanical information and plant identification to Arboretum staff and the public.
• Moves items weighing up to 50 pounds and traverses uneven terrain in inclement weather.
• Assists Horticultural Manager with planning and execution of plant sale events.
• Participates in Arboretum events such as open houses, dedications, and plant sales.
• Gives advice to the public on plant selection and care.
• Assists Grounds and Collections staff with garden maintenance activities.

Skills

Horticulture knowledge

Data entry/recordkeeping

PC literacy/word processing

Physical stamina

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, botany, natural resource management or related field

Tools

Plant database software

Computer-based databases

Job description

Research Support Staff (pos# 0078549) | University of Hawai'i page has loaded.

2026-02077

Department

University of Hawai'i at Manoa - Lyon Arboretum

Duties and Responsibilities (* denotes essential functions)

• *Maintains greenhouse plantings including watering, fertilizing, pest and weed control,
  repotting, accurate labeling, mixing planting media, maintenance of good light levels for
  various plants, and maintains greenhouse inventory.
• *Assists collections managers with maintaining and updating data on plant collections at
  Lyon Arboretum, records accession numbers, source, status, planting location, verification,
  endangerment, etc. using computer-based programs.
• *Performs propagation of tropical plants using a variety of methods such as use of seeds,
  cuttings, air layering, grafting, rhizome or corm division, etc.
• *Assists in carrying out integrated pest management strategies on greenhouse collections,
  including chemical pesticide application, mechanical removal, and methods used to
  encourage beneficial organisms.
• *Provides horticultural and botanical information and plant identification to Arboretum staff,
  University students and faculty, businesses, government, and the public.
• *Moves items weighing up to 50 pounds and traverses uneven terrain in inclement weather
  for Arboretum operations
• *Assists Horticultural Manager with planning, preparation, and implementation of plant sale
  events.
• *Participates in Arboretum events such as open houses, dedications, memorial services,
  and plant sales, which include periodic weekend activities and events.
• Gives advice to the public on choice and care of plants.
• Assists Grounds and Collections staff with maintenance of plant collections within the
  garden by weeding, pruning, fertilizing, labeling, and planting.
  Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in horticulture, botany, natural resource management
  or related field and 0 years of progressively responsible professional experience with
  responsibilities for horticulture or greenhouse management; or any equivalent combination
  of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education,
  knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
• Functional knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of horticulture
  and/or greenhouse management demonstrated by knowledge, understanding and ability to
  apply concepts and terminology.
• Functional knowledge and understanding of principles, theories, federal and state laws,
  rules, regulations and systems associated with pesticides and/or hazardous materials.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize problems, identify possible causes and resolve the full
  range problems that may commonly occur in the area of plant propagation, plant nursery or
  greenhouse work.
• Demonstrated ability to understand oral and written documentation, write reports and
  procedures, and communicate effectively in a variety of situations.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal
  and external organizations, groups, team members and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.
• Able to lift and carry 50 lbs of equipment/supplies, independently and/or with assistance or
  broken down into smaller weight loads or utilizing appropriate methods (e.g. carts, dollies, or
  team lifts).
• Able to work in uneven terrain in inclement conditions.
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours, including weekends and/or holidays as
  needed. Ability to travel independently to various geographical locations in a timely manner.
  Requirement may be fulfilled by a valid Hawaii Driver's license (class 3), comparable driver's
  license, or other means of transportation, which meets position needs.

Desirable Qualification

• Ability to perform nursery work, plant propagation, pest control and to use appropriate tools,
  such as clippers, grafting knives, misting devices and irrigation equipment.
• Working knowledge and understanding of tropical plant identification, taxonomy, and
  systematics, with emphasis on native Hawaiian plants.
• Experience working in botanical garden or commercial plant nurseries.
• Experience in marketing and retail of plants and gardening products.
• Knowledge of conservation issues in Hawaii.

Inquiries: Tim Kroessig, [e-mail]

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Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

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