Tropical Horticulturist

University of Connecticut; Storrs (CT); On-site; USD 48,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Connecticut, Storrs Campus, seeks a Tropical Collections Horticulturist to support the teaching and research greenhouse program in the UConn Botanical Conservatory. The Conservatory Collection houses thousands of specimens, including endangered taxa, with a focus on living collections and outreach.

The incumbent will manage daily horticultural care and facility maintenance under the General Conservatory Manager, contributing to teaching and research objectives in a large

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with up to one year of greenhouse experience, or an Associate's degree with two years of greenhouse experience.
• Broad knowledge of general botany concepts.
• Broad knowledge of tropical plant care/horticultural techniques.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, communication, computer, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and holidays with short notice.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily horticultural activities of the facilities.
• Provide integrated pest management and pesticide spraying as necessary.
• Record keeping.
• Provide some maintenance of equipment and facilities.
• Provide tours of Conservatory collections and participation in outreach events.
• Complete all training requirements.
• Provide general sanitation of the growing and work areas.
• Assist with the scheduling and growing of biology teaching lab materials.
• Supervise student and volunteer workers.
• Be responsible for shared monitoring of the Argus control system.
• Respond to emergency alarms.

Skills

General botany knowledge

Tropical plant care

Interpersonal & communication skills

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Associate's degree in a related field

Job description

Search #: 499703
Work type: Full-time
Location: UConn Storrs
Categories: Laboratory and Research Operations

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut, Storrs Campus, seeks qualified applicants for the position of a tropical horticulturist (Laboratory Assistant) in the UConn Botanical Conservatory. The Conservatory Collection is housed in a 10,400-square-foot greenhouse complex and holds over 7,600 specimens representing nearly 3,000 species, including nearly a dozen that are extinct in the wild and thus irreplaceable, and several dozen more that are rare or critically endangered, as well as the planting and maintenance of an outdoor 10,000-square-foot research garden. The successful candidate will provide support to the teaching and research greenhouse program as a Tropical Collections Horticulturist. The incumbent will be responsible for the daily horticultural care and management of greenhouse specimens as well as maintenance of the physical facility.

This position reports to the General Conservatory Manager of the facility.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform daily horticultural activities of the facilities.
• Provide integrated pest management and pesticide spraying as necessary.
• Record keeping.
• Provide some maintenance of equipment and facilities.
• Provide tours of Conservatory collections and participation in outreach events.
• Complete all training requirements.
• Provide general sanitation of the growing and work areas.

In conjunction with the facility manager, the incumbent will:

• Assist with the scheduling and growing of biology teaching lab materials.
• Supervise student and volunteer workers.
• Be responsible for shared monitoring of the Argus control system.
• Respond to emergency alarms.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and up to one year of related experience in a greenhouse environment; OR Associate's degree in a related field and two years of related experience in a greenhouse environment.
• Broad knowledge of general botany concepts.
• Broad knowledge of tropical plant care/horticultural techniques as applicable to a diverse collection of plants.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, communication, computer, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and holidays with short notice.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Two or more years' experience in tropical greenhouse plant cultivation.
• Experience with integrated pest management techniques.
• Proven plant propagation experience.
• Demonstrated experience working independently and recognizing/rectifying developing cultural, nutritional, and pest problems before they affect plant growth.
• Demonstrated experience making independent decisions concerning cultivation of plant materials.
• Demonstrated experience engaging a diverse user base and conveying collection information to collection users and visitors.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, permanent position. The salary range for this position is $48,163 to $50,000, commensurate with the successful candidate's skills and experience. The anticipated regular work schedule for this position will be Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., with occasional evenings and holidays, sometimes on short notice. The selected incumbent must have the ability to climb ladders, remain on their feet for several hours, and carry hoses and other supplies. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits, please visit UConn Health Benefits and explore the sections under the Benefits & Leaves and Engagement & Learning headers. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA). Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities, veteran’s status, status as a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and/or trafficking in persons as defined by Connecticut law, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive systems, or gender identity or expression

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer including for Disability and Veteran status.

Advertised: Sep 30 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 14 2026 Eastern Daylight Time