The Opportunity

This S05 Greenhouse Grower position will assist the Greenhouse Supervisor with the daily operations of the CALS Greenhouses by:  Providing excellent care for high value plants, closely following direction provided, including watering and fertilizing of plants. Maintain greenhouses and work areas in a clean, sanitary and orderly condition. Pay close attention to detail and adhere to high standards of reliability and timeliness.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

• Monitor the greenhouse equipment and environment and promptly report problems.
• Assist with the set-up, operation, maintenance and repair of greenhouse equipment.
• Wash and sanitize pots, trays, tools, greenhouses and work areas. As instructed, scout for pests and diseases. Perform advanced plant care such as propagation, staking and pruning, as directed. Adhere to sustainability guidelines and Best Management Practices for Cornell Greenhouses. Maintain close communication with the greenhouse supervisor. Following all applicable safety regulations, trainings, rules and procedures.This position is full-time (39 hours/week) and located in Ithaca, New York. There is a requirement to work regular weekends, holidays, and the occasional extended hours. 

This is an on-site position and is not remote or hybrid compatible.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

About the College

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (CUAES) is dedicated to sustainable "science for life," in its two core separate but related functions -- the operation of world-class research facilities throughout the state and the generation and application of research-based knowledge through the administration of federal formula grants.  The CUAES greenhouse operations on and around the Cornell Campus are, with 155,000 sq ft, the largest non-commercial greenhouse facility in the state. The 164 compartments are primarily used as teaching and research facilities, housing 200 to 300 research projects at any given time. Plant services for all of these projects are provided by the dedicated greenhouse staff, which is responsible for the set-up, daily care and maintenance.

What We Need

• High school diploma or equivalent and one to two years of greenhouse growing experience with demonstrated horticultural plant care skills.
• Willingness to maintain a schedule of regular weekend and holiday hours with a maximum of 8 weekend days off per year. 
• Demonstrated ability to consistently pay close attention to detail.
• Proven competence for observing and identifying plant stressors. Physically able to regularly climb and work from a ladder; bend/kneel, climb under benches and equipment; efficiently shovel dense materials; lift over 50 pounds; and ability to work work in all temperature conditions including extreme cold and warm.
• Able to safely and effectively work with shop hand tools, portable drills and power saws.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively in a team as well as independently.
• Must be flexible, service minded and respectful.
• Exhibit good organizational skills and close attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must have and maintain a valid New York State driver’s license and be approved to drive on university business.
• Have reliable transportation and be willing to respond for emergency duty.
• Must obtain and maintain Federal Worker Protection Standard Training offered by the university.
• Must complete all safety trainings as specified by their Supervisor and Cornell EH&S.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, e-mail, and web browsers to communicate on a daily basis with coworkers.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 
• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t.

• Associate’s degree in Greenhouse Management.
• Successful completion of formal coursework in greenhouse plant care.
• Experience in research greenhouse plant care.
• Experience in the care of a wide range of tropical, agricultural, woody, and perennial plants.
• Greenhouse IPM and Scouting experience or training. 

Rewards and Benefits

• • Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• • Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.\Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions:  Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• • Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• • Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

 

   

University Job Title:

Greenhouse Grower S05

   

Job Family:

United Auto Workers

   

Level:

S05

   

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

   

Pay Range:

Refer to Union Pay Rates Link Below

   

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

   

Company:

Contract College

   

Contact Name:

J'Frances White

   

Contact Email:

jmw572@cornell.edu

   

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2026-09-28