Senior Nursery Technician (NURSERY TCHN SR)

Under direction of the Ag Manager & Ag Supervisor, responsible for providing weekday and occasional weekend support and oversite of the CA&ES research greenhouses and associated equipment; perform integrated pest and weed management; general area, building, and systems maintenance at the controlled environment facility locations. Assist faculty, staff, and students on design and implementation of research projects.

Apply By Date August 7^th 2026 by 11:59PM

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications – For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• California Department of Pesticide Regulation Qualified Applicators Certificate or License (QAC/QAL) OR ability to obtain within 6 mo. of hire.
• Required to hold a valid California driver’s license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
• Highschool Diploma/GED
• experience maintaining greenhouses, related buildings, equipment, and crops. (1-3 years)
• Experience with irrigation/fertigation equipment, management, maintenance, and construction. (1-3 years)
• Skills to operate, train and supervise the use of greenhouse environmental controls, irrigation controllers, timers, fertilizer injection equipment, drying ovens, shop tools and other equipment and supplies used for research and teaching.
• Knowledge of recognized horticultural practices relative to growing crops in greenhouses including watering, fertilizing, pruning, transplanting.
• Skills to maintain, repair, and construct various tools and equipment for greenhouse operations and skills to operate common greenhouse and agricultural field equipment.
• Skills to recognize, identify common greenhouse pests and diseases and safely apply pesticides to control target organisms while minimizing hazards to humans, plants, and beneficial organisms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid UCD forklift certification OR ability to obtain within 6 mo. of hire (training provided).
• Experience with greenhouse systems, irrigation installation, and control systems. (2 years)
• Experience in plant taxonomy, propagation, and specific plant care for broad range of crops. (2 years)
• Computer experience with MSOffice applications. (2 years)
• Skills to assist and delegate duties to students.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse group of people.
• Knowledge of California Department of Pesticide Regulation laws and regulations, pesticide labels, SDS, manuals, directives, and guidelines.
• Plumbing and mechanical skills sufficient to assemble, troubleshoot, and repair fertilizer injectors, automated irrigation systems, lighting, pesticide sprayers, and some building systems.

Key Responsibilities

• 70% – Greenhouse Operations
• 20% – Pest Control
• 10% – Research Support

Department Overview

The CA&ES research greenhouses unit consists of 141 research/teaching greenhouses, 7 lathhouses, 4 screenhouses, 8 growth chambers, 1 modular farm, 1 Phenotyping facility, and related buildings totaling 238,110 sqft of managed space at over six locations on the UC Davis campus. The greenhouse complexes are Core, Environmental Horticulture, Orchard Park, Plant Pathology, West Campus, and Central Campus.
The CA&ES research greenhouses unit provides controlled environment support for plant related research with a wide range of campus departments including: PLS, PLB, MCB, Genomics, EVE, ENT, PLP, ESP, LAWR, UCANR, etc.

Department Specific Job Scope

This position receives guidance and oversight on policy, budget, and management from the Lead Greenhouse Manager. Primary responsibilities include assisting the complex supervisor and principal ag tech with day-to-day operations of the Orchard Park Facility and two central campus greenhouses. These greenhouses and related structures are complex operations, requiring daily monitoring, management, and maintenance.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $26.54/hr. – $35.77/hr.
• Salary Frequency: Bi-weekly
• Salary Grade: STEPS
• UC Job Title: NURSERY TCHN SR
• UC Job Code: 009561
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Shift (Work Schedule): Monday- Friday, 8am-5pm
• Location: Head House 003 (HEADHOUSE3)
• Union Representation: SX-Service Workers
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees.

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family’s needs
• UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
• Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee’s lives
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Continuing education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees

Physical Demands

• Standing – Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Walking – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Sitting – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion – Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Loud noise levels – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature – Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Microwave/Radiation – Never 0 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations – Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact – Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks – Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.
Work weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime. This position requires the use of a respirator and is subject to Medical Surveillance procedures and review in accordance with Federal and State Laws and Regulations and University Policy. Must wear appropriate and required personal protective equipment (respirator) when applying pesticides. Subject to temperature and humidity extremes of greenhouses and the outdoor weather at all times of the year. Occasionally work at heights over ten feet. Interact positively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students. Employee regularly lifts fifty-pound bags of fertilizer and occasionally climbs ladders and step stools.

Special Requirements – Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

Misconduct Disclosure requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re committed to solving life’s most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.
As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
To view the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn’t match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere
To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks