Greenhouse Assistant (Part-time)
Job Description
Job Description
POSITION: Greenhouse Assistant (Part-time)
SCHOOL YEAR: 2025-26
WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Non-exempt
Our Mission:
The Charter School for Applied Technologies prepares students to attain family-sustaining careers by integrating career exploration and a lifelong learning culture.
The Charter School for Applied Technologies (CSAT) opened its doors in 2001 as a 700-student school serving grades K-6. Today, CSAT is a busy campus consisting of three distinct buildings (Elementary, Middle and High Schools), that host approximately 2,300 students from 19 different school districts throughout WNY.
Why CSAT?
We are a team inspired by our mission of preparing students to attain family-sustaining careers. If you are looking for a supportive culture providing professional development, training, and mentorship, this could be the place for you! Working as part of a team, you can make a positive and profound difference in the lives of the students we serve. Offering extensive classroom support and assistance with curriculum and instruction, we seek ambitious, creative, and dedicated staff to help make our vision a reality.
Job Summary
Under limited supervision, the Greenhouse Assistant Position is responsible for maintaining greenhouse plant materials, both hydroponic and soil-based, and assisting with the setup and implementation of grade-level greenhouse projects. This also includes day-to-day tasks such as watering, feeding, pruning, propagation, testing, and pest management with other duties consistent with operating an active school greenhouse facility.
Key Responsibilities
- Plant Maintenance:
- Care for plant materials used in school and grade-level projects, including watering, fertilizing, pruning, propagation, and pest and disease management.
- Apply or release organic chemical and biological materials to manage insect, disease, and weed pests.
- Maintain special plant collections, including vegetative and seed propagation and cloning.
- Setup and Support of hydroponic growing systems.
- Support for Projects
- Assist faculty, staff, and students with grade-level projects by prepping, procuring, installing, and maintaining project materials.
- Assist in planning and producing plant stock for special events.
- Facility Maintenance
- Operate and maintain greenhouse equipment, including environmental control systems.
- Perform basic repairs and upkeep of the greenhouse facility equipment.
- Test growing media to evaluate pH and soluble salts and prepare hydroponic fertilizer stock solutions.
- Maintain records and reports as required.
- Supervision and Training
- Advise and supervise students as needed.
- Be willing to acquire more knowledge whether self-directed or professional development opportunities
- Ensure a safe working environment and adhere to safety protocols.
- Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift 25-40 lbs. individually or in a team lift as needed and push/pull boxes or equipment.
- Physical dexterity to work with small hand tools and operate greenhouse equipment.
- Ability to stand for extended periods, climb ladders, and bend, squat, or kneel as necessary.
- Ability to work in wet environments and manage hydroponic nutrient tanks.
- Availability to work weekends when required by projects.
Skills and Requirements
- Knowledge of horticulture and gardening principles.
- Understanding greenhouse operations and maintenance.
- Ability to operate, maintain, and perform basic repairs on greenhouse equipment.
- Proficiency with computers as required by the department.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and the public.
- Sufficient physical strength and dexterity to perform job duties, including heavy lifting, squatting, and climbing ladders.
Qualifications & Education
- A minimum of 1 year of experience in college/university greenhouse work, nursery experience, or advanced gardening with hydroponic experience (or willingness to learn)
- Good organizational skills and ability to work under limited supervision
- Master Gardener certification is desirable
- Ability to pass background check and fingerprint clearance
POSITION STATUS: Part-time
START DATE: ASAP
New York State Education Department Fingerprinting is required for all positions. CSAT offers a very competitive salary, benefits and is a member of the New York State Retirement System.
The Charter School for Applied Technologies is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, veteran status, gender, sex (including pregnancy), or national origin, or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.
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