This position is housed at the USU Salt Lake Center and reports to the Horticulture Lecturer and Greenhouse Manager. In addition, there will be close coordination with the supervisor of the Salt Lake facilities team.

To qualify for this position, individuals must be a graduate or an upper-level student in the Plant Soils and Climate Department (PSC) (or equivalent program/training).

This position will support the PSC programs by working with faculty and students, assist in the management of the greenhouse, and help with Salt Lake Center grounds maintenance as well as projects.

The USU Horticulture program has a partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) New Roots Program that helps refugee farmers start their plants in the USU greenhouse. This position will work with the New Roots employees and International Refugees in this effort.

Salt Lake Center Horticulture Program Teaching Assistant                         Percent of Time 30%

This position will assist in the setup, cleanup, and the instruction of Horticulture-related courses.

1. Preparation of course materials to support instructors
2. Assist with teaching student groups as directed by instructor
3. Assist in cleaning and maintenance of the ‘horticulture’ classroom
4. Assist with scheduling of fieldtrips and other off campus visits as needed
5. Attend fieldtrips as requested
6. Other projects as assigned

Salt Lake Center Teaching Greenhouse Assistant                               Percent of Time 60%

Under the direction of the Greenhouse manager and coordination with the and Salt Lake facilities team, this position will help with and learn greenhouse operations, plant maintenance and other greenhouse and plant-related activities.

1. Perform general greenhouse maintenance activities such as weeding, watering and maintaining plant materials, soil mixing, lab preparation and cleanup
2. Work with students, the GH Manager, and PSC faculty to promote programs that utilize the Teaching Greenhouse.
3. Assist in collecting materials for use in the greenhouse from local retailers and wholesalers.
4. Assist in the effort to maintain a greenhouse environment that is safe, clean, clear of clutter, and consistent
5. Assist with greenhouse controls (irrigation, trouble shooting, and repair, etc.)
6. Assist in cleaning and maintenance the exterior of the building, outside area, landscaping, tree care, windows, parking lot
7. Assist IRC New Roots projects as needed
8. Assist with pesticide and weed management
9. Other projects as assigned 

Salt Lake Center Projects & Grounds Maintenance                           Percent of Time 10%

In coordination with the Facilities Service Representative, this position will assist with the facilities-related projects and grounds maintenance at the Salt Lake Center.

1. Promote continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices

    

2. Assist in the effort to maintain an environment that is safe, clean, clear of clutter, and consistent

3. Assist with sprinkler maintenance, trouble shooting, and repair  

4. Assist in cleaning and maintenance the exterior of the building, outside area, landscaping, tree care, windows, parking lot.

5. Assist with pesticide and weed management

6. Assist with snow and ice removal as well as other seasonal tasks

7. Other projects as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

1. Plant, Soils, and Climate Department graduate (or equivalent program or training) or senior level student
2. Willing to work flexible hours
3. Strong desire to learn and be effective
4. Proactively and effectively communicate
5. Strong organizational and time-management skills
6. Exceptional ability to identify maintenance problems and take initiative to resolve
7. Strong team player who works effectively with others to accomplish tasks 

Preferred Qualifications

1. Greenhouse, Gardening or landscape experience
2. Teaching/training experience

What this experience can offer you:

1. Hands-on greenhouse management and plant production experience
2. Working in a rich and active learning environment that supports students in their educational goals
3. Flexible work schedule

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover Letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

This position requires moderate physical activity. Employees must have sufficient strength to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position including moderate lifting (up to 50 pounds), walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, and squatting. This position requires nearly continuous standing, repetitive hand motions, and reaching overhead. Employees may be exposed to unusual elements including extreme temperatures, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Utah State University (USU) was founded in 1888 and is Utah’s land-grant and space-grant university. USU is one of only 146 research institutions in the U.S. classified as R1 “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. As one of the two premier research institutions in Utah, USU provides a high-quality education at an affordable price. With its main campus in Logan, the university serves approximately 27,500 students, including 24,255 undergraduates and 3,171 graduate students. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for 25 years.

USU’s statewide system features three residential campuses, 30 total campus locations, and 23 Extension education centers. The university employs 903 full-time faculty members, 124 executive administrators, and 1,649 full-time support staff. USU offers 115 undergraduate majors, as well as 91 master’s and 42 doctoral degrees. Learn more about USU.

A core characteristic of USU is engagement with communities and people in economic development, improvements to quality of life, and human capital. Through the practical application of knowledge, the University and its faculty engage and share expertise with the state, nation, and world, preserving the historical land-grant tradition of partnering with communities to address critical societal issues in the interest of the public good.

The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah, a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.

USU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples and provides a Dual Career Assistance program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.

USU endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access in all aspects of employment to qualified persons with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Human Resource office at 435-797-0122 or submit a request at hr@usu.edu.

USU Land Acknowledgment

Please visit our website to learn about Utah State’s land acknowledgment of the eight tribes of Utah.

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov

*updated 11/2022