Supervisor, Greenhouse and Horticulture Outdoor Laboratories

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Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY
The Supervisor for the Greenhouse and Horticulture Outdoor Laboratories, is vital to the education, applied research, and community outreach programs of the JJC Agricultural, Horticultural, and Veterinary Sciences Department. Designs, implements, and analyzes the production, research, and demonstration of horticultural crop production in the JJC Horticultural Program spaces. These include the Greenhouse (GH), the Sustainable Horticulture Land Laboratory (HLL), high tunnel greenhouses (HT), and the Formal Gardens (FG). Oversees the operation and maintenance of these horticulture assets. This dynamic role coordinates crop production schedules, manages diverse specialty growing areas (e.g. hydroponics, vineyard, vegetable and small fruits), and implements a robust Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program in compliance with regulatory statutes.

A primary function of this position is to support the academic mission of the college by collaborating closely with faculty on lab demonstrations and research projects, maintaining teaching collections, and mentoring horticultural interns. The supervisor is tasked with supervising student worker crews, establishing work priorities, and modeling industry-standard best management practices (BMPs) and workplace safety protocols. Additional key responsibilities include overseeing all financial aspects of the operations, procurement, inventory control, budgeting and coordinating all plant sales. Organizes tours and outreach activities that generate positive support for JJC from the community.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Plan, coordinate and schedule crop production, including record keeping and archives, for a variety of horticultural crops. Maintain specialty areas including the high tunnels, vineyard, vegetable demonstration plots, prairie reconstruction, turf plots, hydroponic systems, and related production areas.
2. Coordinate with faculty members to plan, design, and implement laboratory demonstration and research blocs. Assist faculty with the gathering of data and maintenance of teaching/ demonstration plots as needed
3. Create daily work schedules, establish priorities, and coordinate workflows
4. Supervise and coordinate greenhouse, Sustainable Horticulture Land Lab (HLL) and formal garden (FG) student workers crews.
5. Teach industry standards for production and best management practices (BMPs) to student workers and model a professional work ethic and attitude.
6. Maintain a safe, clean, and attractive facility in line with JJC standards. Train and oversee students, faculty, and volunteers in proper equipment use to ensure campus-wide safety and compliance.
7. Mentor horticultural interns and track student worker learning objectives throughout their spring and summer internships to ensure that acquired student competencies align with industry needs and employability.
8. Procure, secure, and apply fertilizers, growth regulators, and pesticides in compliance with regulations and IPM principles. Manage and update a comprehensive IPM program, including resistance management strategies.
9. Coordinate and conduct plant sales, including maintaining contact information for current and potential customers.
10. Monitor, maintain, and facilitate installations of update/replacement equipment in the greenhouse.
11. Maintain plant specimen collection for classes in indoor and outdoor laboratory spaces.
12. Manage greenhouse finances by monitoring inventory, procuring supplies and equipment, maintaining vendor records and relationships, and ensuring adherence to institutional budgets.
13. Increase outreach and visibility of the GH, HLL, and FG by providing tours and disseminating information concerning program activities and results.
14. Increase Greenhouse and Formal Garden visibility in the community. Provide tours of greenhouse and gardens.
15. Open and secure GH and HLL facilities.
16. Solicit support of businesses for resources used in the GH, HLL, and FG.
17. Pursue continuing education opportunities by attending webinars, conferences, trade shows, and industry/affiliated organization meetings.
18. Increase GH, HLL, and FG demonstration and research with an emphasis on alternative agriculture and sustainable production practices, including hydroponic production systems.
19. Assist in creation and updating of marketing and promotional materials related to the GH, HLL, and FG, update GH website and Departmental social media accounts.
20. Assist with departmental recruiting functions and assist in creation and updating of marketing and promotional materials related to the Greenhouse and Formal Gardens
21. Operate the greenhouse Priva control system via a computer.
22. Maintain regular work hours aligned with scheduled retail sales operations.
23. Coordinate and/or provide coverage of weekend and holiday maintenance of the GH and HLL facilities.
24. Participate in achieving departmental and collegiate goals and objectives.
25. Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Associate's Degree or equivalent.
2. Three (3) years of greenhouse experience or other horticultural production experience with a horticulture related background.
3. Experience in production recordkeeping.
4. Possess or obtain (within 30 days of employment) the appropriate Illinois State Pesticide Applicators' Licenses.
5. Willingness to work flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays.
6. Good communication, organization and time management skills.
7. Personal computer skills with knowledge of greenhouse-related software.
8. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community, displaying cultural competence as well as emotional intelligence.
9. Demonstrated commitment to the college's core values of respect and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, collaboration, humor and well-being, innovation and quality.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
1. Bachelor's Degree or equivalent.
2. Industry experience with alternative horticultural production systems (hydroponics, urban agriculture, permaculture, and specialty crops).
3. English and Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency.
4. Demonstrated multicultural competence.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
1. Normal office physical demands.
2. Ability to operate and use small power equipment for maintenance of gardens and greenhouse.
3. Ability to travel between campus locations and to and from community events.
4. Ability to lift a maximum weight of 50 lbs.

WORKING CONDITIONS
1. Duties are performed indoors in the usual office and/or outdoor environment.

BENEFITS:

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Technical Office Support Staff Council (TOSSC)-AFT Local 604

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