Greenhouse Manager

TITLE: Greenhouse Manager

DEPARTMENT: College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources

REPORTS TO: Farm Manager

CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time 

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

JOB SUMMARY: 

Under general direction of the Farm Manager, the Greenhouse Manager will be responsible for the daily operations involved with running the greenhouse complex for the KSU Research and Demonstration Farm which is part of the Kentucky State University Land Grant Program and the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. This position will also assist in the pawpaw orchards when needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Coordinates with project leaders to determine their research and demonstration needs and allocates staff resources.
• Ensures that the operation is compliant with environmental and safety regulations.
• Effectively manage greenhouse facility equipment and computer controls.
• Conducts maintenance of systems controlling the greenhouse environment, such as HVAC and irrigation.
• Oversees inventory of plants.
• Applies pesticides as needed.
• Assists in the supervision of employees, including greenhouse student workers.
• Is responsible for coordinating the propagation, planting, watering, and fertilization of plants in the greenhouses.
• Be knowledgeable about the stages of plant life and diseases that may occur.
• Performs harvest of plants or their fruits.
• Makes recommendations on fertilizer and potting mediums.
• Explores ways to improve processes for more efficient growth and harvest yields.
• Maintains greenhouse use and propagation records.
• Assists in developing budgets for the upcoming year, estimating cost for operations, wages and capital equipment.
• Maintains records of the greenhouse such as, crop summaries, environmental conditions, watering of plants and pesticide application, personnel information and greenhouse expenses. 
• Purchases and authorizes the purchase of supplies such as pesticides, fertilizers, potting media, pots, and other research and extension supplies.
• Assists in the pawpaw orchards when needed
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of the stages of plant life and pests and diseases that may occur.
• Knowledge of the propagation of plants.
• Knowledge of basic plant care, including watering, fertilization, weeding, and pesticide application.
• Knowledge of basic greenhouse operation and maintenance.
• Knowledge of specified local, state, and federal regulations and environmental mandates.
• Ability to effectively communicate.
• Knowledge of common greenhouse ornamental plants are desirable.
• Pesticide applicator’s license.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 

OTHER DUTIES: 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• May work in adverse weather and greenhouse conditions.
• Work involves considerable exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• Extensive physical activity. Requires strenuous physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects over 50 pounds.
• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.

Internal Candidates are Encouraged to Apply

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.