Wanek School of Natural Science Caine Conservatory - Botanical

Job Title: Botanical Conservatory Summer Assistant

Department: Wanek School of Natural Science – Caine Conservatory

Supervisor: Michael Meiners & Jason Lattier

Starting Rate of Pay: $9.00

Length of Time: Summer

Department Description:

The Don & Teresa Caine Conservatory is a botanical teaching conservatory in the Wanek School of Natural Sciences at High Point University. We strive to maintain a collection of plants that is equal parts beautiful and educational, supporting classes in the natural sciences. And, we strive to provide a tranquil space of year-round beauty and enjoyment for our broader campus community.

Job Description:

The botanical conservatory assistant will help in maintaining the roughly 15,000 square feet of display, research, and production spaces, including the main display house, the north production greenhouse, and the south desert greenhouse. This position is best suited for students interested in greenhouse and conservatory work who are enthusiastic about plants, communicate well with staff, and have a desire to learn new skills.

Job Location/ Hours Required:

The candidate will perform most/all job duties in The Caine Conservatory. Hours may vary depending on the job requirements; however, the total number of hours a student employee may work per week is 20 hours. This position requires up a minimum of 5 hours per week.

Responsibilities:

Work with staff supervision to perform horticultural tasks such as preparing planting beds, planting, weeding, watering and pruning.

Work with the staff on curatorial tasks such as inventory and labeling of plants

Communicate clearly and give reasonable notice if unable to attend a shift

Required Qualifications:

Able to move over uneven pavement, under railings, and around plants and other obstacles, and to bend, kneel, and grasp during horticulture activities

Able to lift items of 25lbs and 40lbs occasionally

Have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA

Desired Skills:

Open to learning to about topics such as plant identification and pruning

Enjoy working in warm, humid tropical conditions

Willing to perform the tasks that need to be done, with accommodations if needed

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