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The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world’s leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.
We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.
Departmental Overview
The Plant Gene Expression Center (PGEC) conducts fundamental research in plant molecular biology. Researchers are elucidating the signal transduction pathways responsible for the perception of environmental and cellular cues. We are exploring disease resistance, light perception, the circadian clock, vegetative growth and the plant-associated microbiome. Essential genes and the networks within which they operate are elucidated using molecular, genetic and biochemical approaches.
The PGEC is a collaboration of the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Plant & Microbial Biology Department of the University of California, Berkeley. The Center's principal investigators are faculty at UC Berkeley, and research opportunities are available in our laboratories for graduate and undergraduate students.
Position Summary
Under direction, incumbents manage greenhouses, headhouses, and sometimes lath houses and field plantings in a department or division of the University or in a tract or subdivision of a department, working for a department or division head, or designee, but without direct supervision of nursery techniques; and may supervise subordinates. Senior Nursery Technicians propagate large quantities and many different varieties of plant material for use in teaching and research; supply plants to faculty members, graduate students, and classes at the times, in the quantities, and of the sizes needed, in accordance with a master plan approved by the department or division head extending over the year and with no other instructions. Incumbents propagate and maintain plantings of large numbers of species or pedigreed cultures of plants; perform non-routine hybridization and prepare seed collections, cuttings and reproductions of key plants; keep accurate and extensive records to be used for research purposes covering the complete life cycle of every plant, involving careful attention to pedigree members; and provide for field planting, the collection, care of and germination of seed, and the control of diseases and pests. Incumbents maintain rare, delicate and valuable collections of plants brought from distant parts of the world, requiring utmost care in the control of ventilation, temperature, and humidity; and propagate species never before grown in California, requiring ability to devise methods on the basis of thorough understanding of the cultural requirements of related plants.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: 07/11/2024.
Responsibilities
Plant Growth and Culture:
- Propagate, plant, water, and maintain a large number of plant species.
- Perform non-routine hybridization and prepare seed collections, cuttings and reproductions of key plants; keep accurate and extensive records to be used for research purposes.
Greenhouse Maintenance and Equipment Operation:
- Perform daily maintenance tasks in greenhouses such as sanitation, equipment assessment and routine inspection of environmental control systems.
- Identifying and reporting equipment issues, troubleshooting, and occasionally repairing greenhouse equipment.
Pest and Disease Management:
- Monitor pests and diseases.
- Perform weekly pest survey in all greenhouses and report to supervisor.
- Identify pests, diseases, and assess population growth.
Irrigation installation, repair, maintenance:
- Install irrigation systems according to specific research needs.
- Perform ongoing maintenance of existing drip and mist irrigation systems.
- Repair irrigation systems as needed.
Office Assistance/User Relations:
- Perform basic computer skills (Word, Excel, email).
- Keep records, maintain log book of work performed in greenhouses, and provide information to greenhouse users as needed.
- Communicate directly with researchers, students, professors, and staff on a daily basis about greenhouse operations and crop needs.
Other Duties Assigned:
- Be available for emergency call-back system.
- Respond to alarm call-back system as needed.
- Assess reason for alarm.
- Report to supervisor.
Required Qualifications
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Good organizational, planning, and time management skills
- Solid problem-solving skills and a desire to be in a self-directed role.
- Ability to provide plant and pest identification.
- Strong commitment to knowledge sharing and communication
- Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
- Basic computer application skills.
- A strong work-ethic, and a can-do attitude.
- Excellent follow through skills.
- Able to perform physical labor under often strenuous conditions, including extreme heat.
- Ability to independently lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to work weekend and holiday rotations as scheduled.
- Demonstrated experience with mist and irrigation set-ups.
- Ability to work well independently with minimal supervision and to work in a team.
- Demonstrated experience with routine greenhouse procedures.
- Effective communication and organizational skills.
- Good work attendance record.
- Solid verbal and written communication skills in the English language, including active listening, flexibility, critical thinking, and the ability to multi-task and ensure effective time management.
- High School Diploma and/or equivalent experience/training.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree and/or equivalent experience/training.
Salary & Benefits
This is a 100% full-time (40 hrs a week) non-exempt career position, which is paid hourly and eligible for UC Benefits.
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is Up $22.48 (Step 1) – $ 22.93 (Step 2).
How to Apply
- To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information
This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Service Unit (SX) between the University of California and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/sx/index.html
- This is not a visa opportunity.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.
The University of California's Affirmative action policy.
The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.
