Greenhouse Supervisor at USPI

Salina, Kansas, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

10 Jun, 26

Salary

71000.0

Posted On

12 Mar, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Greenhouse Facilities Maintenance, Environmental Control Systems, Irrigation Systems Management, HVAC Systems, Mechanical Repairs, Horticultural Work, Plant Health Monitoring, Preventive Maintenance, CMMS, Argus Controls, Microgrow, Integrated Pest Management, Contractor Coordination, Troubleshooting, Team Collaboration, Decision Making

Industry

Description

Greenhouse Supervisor - How You'd Fit In + Stand Out The Greenhouse Supervisor is the hands-on operational leader with project-level decision-making responsibility, ensuring The Land Institute's greenhouse research support program runs smoothly through expert mechanical maintenance and attentive plant care. This role combines technical expertise in greenhouse systems—troubleshooting irrigation lines, repairing environmental controls, and maintaining HVAC equipment with skilled horticultural work, including watering, transplanting, and monitoring plant health across diverse research projects. As a collaborative team player, you'll work side-by-side with facilities staff to solve complex mechanical challenges, partner with research teams to understand their growing needs, and ensure every system and every plant receives the expert care required for groundbreaking perennial agriculture science. You'll get your hands dirty fixing a malfunctioning boiler one hour and carefully transplanting experimental seedlings the next, all while serving as the reliable, go-to expert that both operations and research staff depend on. If you love the satisfaction of hands-on problem-solving, take pride in maintaining both machines and living systems, thrive in collaborative environments where teamwork is essential, and find meaning in work that directly enables scientific discovery, this position offers the perfect blend of technical mastery, horticultural skill, and tangible impact. Primary Responsibilities + Expectations Greenhouse Facilities Maintenance & Operations (50%) * Maintain operational reliability and safety of all greenhouse facilities, including irrigation systems, spray equipment, shading systems, ventilation, fans, cooling pads, heaters/boilers, structural elements, and environmental control equipment * Perform routine and preventive maintenance on greenhouse infrastructure, making decisions on maintenance prioritization and resource allocation; track all activities in computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) * Monitor and troubleshoot greenhouse environmental control systems daily; analyze irregularities, determine corrective actions, and document issues for the Greenhouse Manager * Execute hands-on repairs on mechanical, electrical, and structural systems; assess complexity to determine when to handle in-house versus escalating to Facilities staff or outside contractors * Manage maintenance, calibration, and monitoring of growth chambers and growth rooms, including lighting, temperature, humidity, and sanitation systems * Respond promptly to equipment failures, system alarms, and operational emergencies to protect research materials and maintain environmental stability * Maintain clean, orderly, and safe work environments in compliance with safety standards and chemical-handling protocols * Leads and executes regular and annual cleaning and sanitations of all greenhouses, grow rooms, and chambers. Environmental Controls & Irrigation Systems Management * Make day-to-day decisions on climate control settings, communicating with Greenhouse Manager on strategic changes; manage temperature, humidity, light cycles, shade schedules, and energy-saving strategies * Program, monitor, and optimize greenhouse environmental control systems (Argus, Microgrow) to maintain precise growing conditions for diverse research projects * Manage and optimize irrigation systems, ensuring reliable water and nutrient delivery across all greenhouse zones. * Diagnose and resolve irrigation issues, including scheduling, filtration, pressure, and sanitation; make independent decisions on system adjustments and repairs * Conduct regular system checks and calibrations on sensors, controllers, valves, and delivery equipment to maintain accuracy Preventive Maintenance Program Management * Manage a comprehensive greenhouse preventive maintenance program, including schedules, documentation, and inspection protocols, to ensure equipment reliability * Independently create and implement tactical maintenance plans that support operational continuity and research objectives * Conduct regular facility assessments to identify wear, malfunctions, or safety hazards; make timely decisions on corrective action * Develop maintenance forecasts and recommend improvements to maintenance strategies that enhance facility resilience, energy efficiency, and sustainability * Collaborate with research and operations programs to schedule maintenance activities that minimize disruption to research * Maintain an inventory of critical spare parts, tools, and maintenance supplies for rapid response * Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for maintenance tasks and equipment operation, and document them in our CMMS. Contractor & Vendor Coordination * Manage relationships with external contractors and vendors for specialized repairs, equipment calibration, system installation, and technical support * Make decisions on contractor selection and scope of work in coordination with the Greenhouse Manager and the Facilities team * Prepare work requests, obtain quotes, evaluate proposals, and recommend contractor selections * Coordinate contractor activities on-site, ensuring work meets specifications, safety requirements, and quality standards; serve as the primary on-site contact * Review completed work, conduct acceptance inspections, and document contractor performance Frontline Research Support & Plant Care (50%) * Serve as primary frontline contact for greenhouse users, advising researchers (postdoctoral researchers, research technicians, lab managers, scientists) on facility capabilities, operational considerations, and best practices * Communicate facility capabilities, limitations, and operational constraints to research users, ensuring integration into research plans and experimental designs * Provide expert operational guidance on lighting cycles, temperature and humidity optimization, and watering schedules * Perform hands-on plant care work as assigned by the Greenhouse Manager, including watering, fertilizing, transplanting, pruning, staking, harvesting, and general plant maintenance to support research projects * Execute specialized growing protocols developed by researchers or the Greenhouse Manager, ensuring precise adherence to experimental requirements and documentation standards * Monitor plant health across greenhouse facilities, identifying stress symptoms, nutrient deficiencies, or cultural problems; take corrective action with guidance from the greenhouse manager * Troubleshoot plant performance issues in collaboration with greenhouse manager & researchers, diagnosing environmental, cultural, nutritional, or operational causes and making practical recommendations * Develop and deliver hands-on training to research users on greenhouse equipment operation, environmental control systems, irrigation systems, and safety protocols * Assist Greenhouse Manager with space allocation, bench assignments, and equipment usage to accommodate multiple concurrent research projects Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Support * Assist with IPM tasks as assigned by the Greenhouse Manager, including pesticide applications, beneficial insect releases, pest monitoring, and scouting * Conduct routine pest and disease scouting, documenting observations, and reporting findings to the Greenhouse Manager * Apply approved pesticides and biological control agents following EPA Worker Protection Standards, label requirements, and institutional safety protocols * Maintain and monitor beneficial insect colonies used for biological pest control * Support IPM record-keeping, including pest monitoring logs and pesticide application records Work Coordination & Team Collaboration * Coordinate daily work activities with Greenhouse Specialist, Greenhouse Assistant, and assigned research support personnel as delegated by the Greenhouse Manager * Provide technical guidance, hands-on training, and knowledge sharing to greenhouse team members * Monitor work quality and adherence to safety protocols, communicating any performance or safety concerns to the Greenhouse Manager * Serve as a working lead during operations, providing direction while actively performing hands-on maintenance and plant care work alongside the team Decision-Making & Recommendations * Make project-level decisions on daily maintenance prioritization, resource allocation, system adjustments, and operational optimizations to ensure reliability * Identify operational challenges, inefficiencies, or capacity constraints and develop solutions that improve efficiency, safety, and research support * Propose program-level strategies and independently execute those plans with a high degree of accuracy and accountability to the Greenhouse Manager for facility improvements, equipment upgrades, and operational enhancements. Propose strategies for approval. * Serve as backup emergency contact during weekends and holidays in coordination with the greenhouse manager. Exercise sound judgment in emergency situations, making rapid decisions to protect research materials, ensure personnel safety, and maintain facility integrity. Who You Are Required Qualifications * Associate's degree in horticulture, plant science, facilities management, mechanical systems, or related technical field (Bachelor's degree preferred) * Minimum 3-5 years of hands-on experience in greenhouse operations, controlled environment agriculture, or horticultural facilities management * Demonstrated experience with greenhouse environmental control systems (Argus, or similar platforms strongly preferred) * Proven expertise in irrigation system management * Working knowledge of HVAC systems, boilers, cooling systems, and greenhouse mechanical equipment * Experience performing maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on greenhouse infrastructure and systems * Ability to coordinate work activities and provide technical guidance to team members * Demonstrated ability to manage projects and processes independently with minimal supervision * Valid driver's license * Preferred Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in horticulture, plant science, agricultural engineering, or related field * 5+ years of experience in research greenhouse or commercial greenhouse operations * Advanced certification or training in Argus Controls or other greenhouse automation platforms * Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) * Pesticide applicator's license or willingness to obtain * Experience in a research institution or academic greenhouse environment * Maintenance planning, tracking, and forecasting experience * Understanding of integrated pest management principles Key Skills & Competencies * Expert hands-on knowledge of greenhouse environmental control systems, including programming, monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization * Advanced proficiency with irrigation systems, water quality management * Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to diagnose and repair HVAC equipment, electrical systems, plumbing, and structural components * Working knowledge of plant physiology, growing requirements, and cultural practices for diverse plant species * Proficiency with greenhouse automation software (Argus Controls experience strongly preferred) and CMMS (Limble preferred) for work order tracking * Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace * Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple competing demands * Excellent problem-solving abilities with a systematic diagnostic approach to technical challenges * Proactive, self-directed work style with the ability to work independently and make sound operational decisions * Customer service orientation with the ability to communicate technical information clearly to researchers with varying expertise levels * Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively with researchers, operations staff, and external contractors * Physical stamina and capability for hands-on work in greenhouse environments * Commitment to safety culture and ability to model and enforce safety protocols consistently Hours Generally available to work in person forty hours per week, primarily during 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Time on weekdays. This position requires flexibility for early-morning or late-evening checks of environmental systems, weekend monitoring during critical periods, and emergency response to equipment failures. On-call availability for urgent operational needs is essential. We are flexible for caregivers who might need to provide rides or support, attend appointments, or be available for caregiving responsibilities. Environmental + Working Conditions * Controlled Environment: Working primarily in greenhouse facilities with regulated temperature, humidity, and light conditions. Summer greenhouse temperatures may exceed 90°F with high humidity levels * Physical Activity: Frequent hands-on physical work, including equipment maintenance, repairs, system troubleshooting, planting assistance, and facility upkeep. Extended periods of standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, and working in varied postures * Exposure: Regular exposure to varying humidity, heat, soil, growing media, fertilizers, and plant allergens. Work in confined spaces during maintenance activities * Chemical Handling: Occasional use of pesticides, fertilizers, and agricultural chemicals following safety protocols. Requires wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) * Physical Demands: Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly. Work involves pushing carts, moving equipment, climbing ladders, and working at heights. Ability to work on knees, squat, bend repeatedly, and maintain physical positions for extended periods * Tool Use: Regular use of hand tools, power tools, diagnostic equipment, and specialized greenhouse maintenance equipment * Emergency Response: Must be available for emergency response to equipment failures or facility issues that could jeopardize research materials Location + Travel This position is based in Salina, Kansas, at The Land Institute headquarters, with minimal travel required (less than 5% of the time) for professional development, training, vendor meetings, or benchmarking visits to other facilities. Application Process To apply, please submit a cover letter addressing your interest in The Land Institute's mission and relevant qualifications, along with your resume/CV and contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately upon submission. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. The Land Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Compensation + Benefits The Land Institute offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $57,000 - $71,000 annually.

Responsibilities

This role serves as the hands-on operational leader, ensuring smooth greenhouse research support through expert mechanical maintenance, including troubleshooting irrigation and HVAC systems, and attentive plant care like watering and transplanting. Responsibilities are split between greenhouse facilities maintenance/operations (50%) and frontline research support/plant care (50%).