Greenhouse Research Assistant

Please Note: This is not a student worker position. It is a full-time position with Amarillo College, posted by the Human Resources Recruiting team. For additional employment info, visit the Amarillo College Job Board on NEOED.

Summary

At Amarillo College, our mission is: Transforming our community and economy through learning, innovation, and achievement. Every team member, regardless of job title or duties, is responsible first and foremost, for assisting students in every way.

This is an exciting time to work for Amarillo College! We are seeking our next Greenhouse Research Assistant - STEM who will be all-in on our mission and who supports greenhouse operations, facility activities, and research initiatives within the STEM Research Center. This position assists with plant care, greenhouse maintenance, and general facility operations, while also providing limited laboratory and research support under the direction of the STEM Research Center Coordinator. This role serves as a key point of contact for students, faculty, and visitors and is expected to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and a welcoming demeanor. The Greenhouse Research Assistant helps maintain a safe, organized, and inclusive learning environment while supporting daily greenhouse functions and research-related activities.

Qualifications

EDUCATION:
Required: Associate’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture, Horticulture, Environmental Science.

Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.

*Years of relevant experience may substitute for educational requirements.

EXPERIENCE:
Required: 
 

• Experience with greenhouse operations, plant care, or horticulture 
• Experience working in a team environment and following established procedures

Preferred:
 

• Experience in laboratory or research support
• Experience working in an educational or research environment

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Support daily greenhouse operations including plant care, seeding, transplanting, watering, fertilizing, pruning, and harvesting.
• Monitor plant health and identify potential pest, disease, or environmental concerns.
• Maintain greenhouse cleanliness, organization, and general upkeep.
• Prepare growing media, containers, and planting materials.
• Assist with irrigation systems and support hydroponic and aquaponic operations.
• Maintain greenhouse supplies, tools, and equipment.
• Support greenhouse-based research projects and faculty initiatives.
• Assist with data collection, recordkeeping, and documentation as directed.
• Prepare materials and workspaces for research and instructional activities.
• Provide basic laboratory support including preparation of simple solutions, cleaning, and organization of materials.
• Maintain inventory of greenhouse, laboratory, and facility supplies.
• Assist with facility tours, outreach activities, and special events.
• Provide professional and welcoming customer service to students, faculty, and visitors
• Maintain safe work practices and follow established procedures.
• Perform other work-related duties as required.
• As an Amarillo College employee, seek knowledge of and pledge to actively engage in a culture of caring striving to serve students, peers and the community by embracing the AC Core Values: Wow, Family, Fun, Innovation, and Yes!

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to follow instructions and established procedures.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and operational needs.
• Basic computer proficiency including Microsoft Office, email, and data entry.
• Effective communication skills when working with students, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to work in greenhouse and laboratory environments.
• Willingness to learn new skills, technologies, and procedures.

Salary: Amarillo College follows a lag pay strategy, with starting offers typically between the minimum and midpoint of the pay grade, rarely reaching the maximum to support long-term growth within each position. 

Pay grade 6 Amarillo College Pay Grades(salary is determined by Human Resources based on education, work experience and internal comparisons).

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the employee will frequently stand, walk, bend, kneel, and use hands to handle plants, tools, and greenhouse equipment. The employee must be able to lift, carry, push, pull, and move greenhouse materials such as soil bags, pots, trays, and equipment weighing up to fifty (50) pounds. Work may involve extended periods in greenhouse and laboratory environments.

Working Conditions: Must be willing to work a flexible schedule (days, nights, weekends, holidays, and varying events if necessary). Work may occur both indoors and outdoors and may involve exposure to varying temperatures, humidity, moisture, soil, fertilizers, and other greenhouse materials.

Work Environment: This position operates primarily in greenhouse, laboratory, and instructional environments. The employee may be exposed to high humidity, heat, sunlight, irrigation systems, soil, plant materials, fertilizers, and other greenhouse-related conditions. Work may also include interaction with students, faculty, and visitors and occasional tasks in office or campus facilities. Work may be performed with minimal supervision while maintaining safety procedures and operational standards.

Notice of Background: Applicants selected for employment will be required to undergo a pre-employment criminal history background check and possibly a pre-employment drug test.

Promotional Opportunity Policy: Under the Amarillo College Promotional Opportunity Policy, only current appointed or part-time non-appointed employees will be considered for a position during the first five (5) working days from notice or posting.

Amarillo College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.