Student: Plant Growth Facilities Technician

Augsburg University; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 19,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Rate of pay: $16.45/hour

Minnesota Sick and Safe Time

Minnesota Paid Family and MedicalLeave

Job summary

The Plant Growth Facilities Technician at Augsburg University supports the Biology Department by maintaining a living plant collection and climate-controlled growth spaces, enabling teaching and research activities. You will work closely with the Curator to ensure plants remain healthy and growth spaces function optimally for daily operations.

The role requires weekend availability, work-study eligibility, and a passion for botany and plant conservation.

Qualifications

• Be a current Biology, Biochemistry, or Environmental and Sustainability Science major.
• Be work-study eligible.
• Have completed at least two semesters of Biology coursework.
• Interest in botany, horticulture, plant conservation, or related field.
• Able to climb ladders, lift light loads, and maneuver in tight spaces.
• Available to work weekends.
• Excellent communication and observation skills.
• Adhere to lab safety practices and undergo provided lab safety training.

Responsibilities

• Daily watering of plants in the greenhouse and growth rooms.
• Weekly application of fertilizer.
• Host Augsburg community during Greenhouse First Friday monthly.
• Seed germination, potting, pruning, and pest control as directed.
• General cleaning and maintenance of Plant Growth Facilities (greenhouse, headhouse, growth rooms).
• Quarterly algae suppression treatment of greenhouse floor.
• Weekly emptying of sediment traps in headhouse.
• Plant feeder plants for aphid colony and maintain aphid growth chamber hygiene.
• Frequent communication with Curator Dr. Van Eck and Biology Lab Manager to maintain continuity of care.

Skills

Weekend availability

Good communication

Observation skills

Ladder climbing

Lab safety practices

Plant care

Education

Biology major

Biochemistry major

Environmental and Sustainability Science major

Job description

• Part-time
• Job Classification: Student employee
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (hourly)
• Department: Biology
• Type of employment: Student

Company Description

Augsburg Universityis committed to helping ourstudentexplore their vocation. As aUniversity with a calling, we welcome the unique gifts that each of our employees brings to our collective work, and we are committed to supporting our studentsas they seek to match those gifts with the needs of theUniversity and our larger community.

Student employment with Augsburg is more than a job - it is an opportunity for Augsburg students to gain meaningful workexperience in a supportive setting that promotes professional growth, personal accountability, teamwork and collaboration and quality work that lives up to our mission ofeducatingstudents to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.

Job Description

The Plant Growth Facilities at Augsburg University provide critical support to the Biology Department mission of education and research in the life sciences. A living collection of over 500 plant species is maintained in the rooftop greenhouse, and climate-controlled plant growth rooms are used extensively for research projects across the School of Natural Sciences. The care and cultivation of our permanent plant collection and maintenance of our plant research spaces is vital work that occurs on a near-daily basis.

The Biology Department is hiring a student worker for the position of Plant Growth Facilities Technician. The Plant Growth Facilities Technician will work closely with Curator Dr. Leon van Eck to maintain the health and wellbeing of the living plant collection, and to ensure the growth spaces are functioning optimally to support teaching and research.

Tasks and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Daily watering of plants in the greenhouse and growth rooms
• Weekly application of fertilizer
• Hosting Augsburg community during Greenhouse First Friday every month during the semester
• Seed germination, potting, pruning, and pest control as directed
• General cleaning and maintenance of Plant Growth Facilities, including greenhouse, headhouse, and growth rooms
• Quarterly algae suppression treatment of greenhouse floor
• Weekly emptying of sediment traps in headhouse
• Planting of feeder plants for aphid colony and maintaining general aphid growth chamber hygiene
• Frequent communication with Curator Dr. Van Eck and Biology Lab Manager Chris Palahniuk to maintain continuity of care

Work-study eligible students welcome.

Compensation and Benefits

• Rate of Pay: $16.45/hour
• Minnesota Sick and Safe Time
• Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave
• Not eligible for health insurance benefits
  

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will:

• Be a current Biology, Biochemistry, or Environmental and Sustainability Science Major
• Be work-study eligible
• Have completed at least two semesters of Biology coursework
• Have an interest in botany, horticulture, plant conservation, or a related field
• Be able to climb ladders, lift light loads, and maneuver in tight spaces
• Be available to work weekends
• Have excellent communication and observation skills
• adhere to lab safety practices and undergo provided lab safety training

Additional Information

All student applicants must attach the following for consideration:

• Resume
• Cover Letter (optional, but strongly encouraged)

Augsburg University is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, military service, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact the Human Resources department by phone at 612.330.1058 or email at [e-mail]. Human Resources is located at 20 Memorial Hall.

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