Position Summary

Under general supervision of the Community School Principal and with guidance from the program instructor, the Community School Greenhouse Technician, at a training site or in a classroom, assists with the instruction of students individually or in groups in accordance with prescribed learning objectives; manages and schedules greenhouse operations of planting, watering, climate control, harvesting and general greenhouse operations; provides various support services to help ensure successful job skills acquisition by students; completes scheduled tasks left undone by students and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This position works directly with students to advance their Career Technical Education (CTE) academic and individualized goals. The Greenhouse Technician provides direct and indirect instructional support to students within the classroom or community environments under the direction of the assigned CTE teacher.

Supervision Received And Exercised

This position is under the assigned administrator or director.

Examples of Duties & Responsiblities

• Individualizes vocational instruction for Community School students who need additional assistance when requested by the regular staff teacher.
• Assists in supervising classroom, outdoor areas, community and field trip activities.
• Assists students and small groups of students with CTE instruction and other related activities.
• Assists in creating learning environment where caring relationships are formed and motivation towards learning is fostered.
• Assists teacher in integrating prevocational/vocational activities into the curriculum.
• Works collaboratively and professionally with diverse students, families and colleagues.
• Interacts with students with their activities.
• Shows responsiveness to the unique needs of each student.
• Manages plant nursery.
• Supports students in the greenhouse and assists students regarding career exploration.
• Maintains greenhouse operations on weekends and holidays.
• Manages and monitors greenhouse farm operations and equipment as directed by teacher, such as overseeing necessary maintenance and general upkeep of farm structures, monitors, pumps, vents, heaters, C02 burners, channels, reservoir tanks, peristaltic pumps, service pumps and poly panels.
• Manages control system, communicates and collaborates with service provider to troubleshoot and adjust system as needed.
• Responds to system alerts during non-school hours.
• Manages ordering of seeds, grow additives and other planting and harvesting supplies.
• Delivers sales orders.
• Takes corrective action immediately if abnormalities occur (pests, disease, abnormalities).
• Maintains grower’s log daily.
• Participates in program advisory committee.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications (aka Employment Standards

Knowledge of

• Quickbooks
• Career paths and future educational opportunities for students
• Greenhouse and Farm Operations
• Food safety policies and procedures
• Strategies to effectively work with youth

Ability to

• Use hand and power tools for maintenance and repair of equipment;
• Sit, stand and/or move about for extended periods in varied settings (indoor or outdoor);
• Organize and prioritize work and manage time effectively;
• Communicate effectively in person and using telephone, email and computer based technologies;
• Communicate in a professional manner in formal and informal settings, with students, parents and fellow staff;
• Apply knowledge and practices with judgement;
• Work well with and supervise students of varying ages;
• Maintain a continuing relationship with the same students and staff over a prolonged period of time;
• Function independently with assigned tasks;
• Maintain emotional control under difficult situations;
• Follow oral and written directions;
• Work independently;
• Drive a vehicle and able to get to assigned post;
• Lift and/or move objects occasionally in excess of 50 pounds;
• Adapt to changing work demands;
• Manage task priorities to meet deadlines;
• Work under varying degrees of stress;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups;
• Read and comprehend fine print, such as contracts, spreadsheets, texts, catalogs, etc;
• Keep information confidential.

Education and Experience

Minimum Required

• Equivalent to graduation from high school
• ASD/BS in Horticulture or related field or 3 or more years experience in horticulture and controlled environment agriculture.
• Applicants must possess a valid CA Driver’s License and have access to a reliable vehicle.

Preferred Experience

• Possesses at least three years of experience working in a commercial greenhouse or greenhouse operations or related experience

Working Conditions (Work Environment):

This position will be assigned to an educational setting.  The employee will be expected to work closely with other county office, district personnel, students, families, outside agencies and private partners. Assigned school site settings where multiple students and school staff are present.  Employees may be required to walk, stand or conduct work in outdoor educational environments where there may be loud students or staff, varied temperatures, public interaction and/or upset staff or students.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, speak and hear. The employee will need to frequently perform repetitive hand/finger movements for activities such as, but not limited to, using a keyboard, administering medication and performing other related duties. The employee is occasionally required to climb stairs, bend, reach with hands/arms, lift, stoop, kneel and crouch.

Other Requirements:

• Must be fingerprinted and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be received by HCOE prior to employment.
• TB testing and/or risk assessment will be required upon employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical (if applicable).
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certificates within the first 6 to 12 months of employment.
• May be required to drive with or without students; some positions may require a California driver’s license, proof of insurance and possible participation in the DMV PUll Notice Program once employed.

Range: 12
PC Approved 9/12/2023