Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Greenhouse Technician Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

We are hiring a Greenhouse Technician Assistant to work closely with the greenhouse lead and production team to propagate, plant, maintain, and harvest nursery and greenhouse crops. The ideal candidate will support daily crop care tasks including watering and fertigation, monitor and adjust climate control systems, implement integrated pest management practices, assist with propagation and bench work, maintain accurate production records, and help ensure a clean, safe, and efficient greenhouse environment. This position emphasizes hands-on plant care, attention to detail, and the ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Seasonal Farm Worker or General Laborer with greenhouse exposure
Nursery Assistant, Garden Center Associate, or Horticulture Intern
Agricultural or Biology Lab Assistant

Advancement To:

Greenhouse Technician / Lead Grower
Propagation Specialist or Crop Production Supervisor
Horticulture Manager / Production Manager

Lateral Moves:

Irrigation Technician
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Technician
Quality Control / Post-Harvest Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Maintain daily irrigation and fertigation schedules by calibrating and operating drip, mist, and overhead irrigation systems to meet crop-stage specific water and nutrient requirements and to minimize water stress and nutrient imbalances.
Execute propagation tasks including seed sowing, cutting preparation, grafting support, bench management, potting and repotting, and labeling of trays and containers to ensure uniform germination and healthy plug development.
Monitor plant health by performing routine crop scouting for pests, diseases and physiological disorders; accurately document observations and escalate significant issues to the greenhouse lead for corrective action.
Implement integrated pest management (IPM) actions such as biological control releases, sticky traps, scouting records, and spot treatments following safety protocols and supervisor instructions to minimize crop loss.
Operate and monitor greenhouse environmental control systems — including ventilation, heating, shade, and humidity control — to maintain target temperature, light and humidity ranges for each crop or propagation stage.
Prepare and mix fertilizer solutions, follow crop-specific feeding schedules, and log fertigation events into the production tracking system to ensure consistent nutrition and traceability.
Conduct transplanting, pruning, pinching, deflowering and training of plants to optimize canopy development and maximize yield and crop quality according to SOPs and production plans.
Maintain sanitation standards by cleaning benches, trays, tools, pots, and propagation areas; remove spent media and plant debris to reduce disease pressure and maintain a safe work environment.
Assist with planting schedules and production planning by staging crops, preparing incoming liners and cuttings, and organizing bench space to meet weekly and seasonal production targets.
Maintain accurate production records including daily logs, pest/disease incidence reports, spray records, irrigation/fertigation logs and transplanting dates to support traceability and continuous improvement.
Support harvest, grading and packing operations by harvesting crops on schedule, sorting for quality, and preparing product for shipping or retail display while complying with post-harvest handling guidelines.
Conduct routine preventive maintenance and minor repairs on greenhouse equipment such as irrigation pumps, fans, heaters, and benches; report major repairs and safety hazards to maintenance staff or supervisor.
Assist with inventory control by receiving and inspecting incoming plant material, supplies and inputs (e.g., substrate, fertilizers, biological controls), labeling and stocking materials, and notifying supervisors of low inventory.
Participate in environmental monitoring and data collection (temperature, humidity, light levels, EC, pH) using handheld meters and automated sensors, and log data for trend analysis and production optimization.
Follow chemical safety, labeling, storage and mixing procedures; assist with the application of crop protection products under the supervision of licensed personnel and keep accurate application records where required by regulation.
Train and mentor seasonal employees and temporary staff in basic propagation, watering, sanitation, and safety protocols to ensure consistent procedures are followed across shifts.
Perform routine crop quality inspections and record quality metrics (e.g., bloom counts, stem length, root establishment) to meet customer specifications and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Assist with greenhouse layout changes, bench reconfiguration and crop staging to optimize efficient use of space and light distribution throughout the production cycle.
Participate in small-scale research or trial projects by setting up plots, applying treatments under direction, collecting observational data, and helping prepare trial documentation.
Follow standard operating procedures, workplace safety rules and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements to maintain a safe work environment and compliance with company, local and state regulations.
Communicate effectively with the production team, supervisors and logistics personnel about crop status, special handling requirements and schedule changes to ensure alignment across departments.
Support sustainability efforts such as water conservation practices, waste reduction, recycling of substrates and responsible use of inputs to meet organizational sustainability goals.
Maintain accurate electronic records in greenhouse management systems or spreadsheets and support efforts to digitize production workflows and operational metrics.
Adapt to seasonal production demands and flexible scheduling needs, including early mornings, evenings or weekend shifts, to meet crop care and harvest requirements.

Secondary Functions

Assist with basic greenhouse administrative tasks such as compiling daily production reports, updating KPIs, and entering inventory transactions into ERP or inventory systems.
Help coordinate incoming deliveries and shipments by preparing plants for transport, packaging for shipping, and communicating order status to the logistics team.
Conduct safety inspections and help enforce site safety programs, including reporting hazards, participating in toolbox talks, and completing required safety training.
Support the implementation of new SOPs and process improvements by testing changes at small scale, documenting outcomes, and providing feedback to the production manager.
Aid in seasonal facility tasks such as shade cloth installation/removal, winterizing equipment, bench sterilization between crops and greenhouse glazing maintenance.
Participate in marketing support activities such as photographing finished crops, helping prepare display plants for customer visits, and assisting with quality checks for retail presentations.
Provide on-the-ground support for sustainability and conservation projects, including composting operations, closed-loop fertigation initiatives or substrate recycling pilots.
Assist research and development teams by preparing propagation material, maintaining trial records, and performing standardized assessments to support breeding or production trials.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Plant propagation techniques: seed sowing, cuttings, grafting support, dividing and bench management.
Irrigation and fertigation system operation, calibration and troubleshooting (drip, mist, overhead).
Greenhouse environmental control understanding: heaters, fans, vents, shade systems, humidifiers and thermostats.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): scouting, identification of common greenhouse pests and diseases, implementation of biological controls.
Fertilizer mixing, nutrient management, EC and pH monitoring and adjustment.
Safe handling and record keeping for crop protection products; familiarity with pesticide labels and PPE requirements (application by licensed personnel).
Use of handheld meters and sensors for temperature, humidity, light (PPFD), EC and pH measurement and basic data logging.
Basic mechanical aptitude for preventive maintenance and minor equipment repairs; safe use of hand and power tools.
Experience with greenhouse management software, production tracking spreadsheets or ERP systems for logging production events and inventory.
Post-harvest handling, grading and packing techniques to preserve quality and meet customer specifications.
Forklift, pallet jack or powered equipment operation (preferred or as required by facility).
Basic cold-chain and shipping preparation knowledge for live plant transport.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and consistency in following SOPs and production schedules.
Good communication skills to coordinate with supervisors, co-workers and cross-functional teams.
Physical stamina and ability to perform repetitive tasks, lift or move 25–50 lbs regularly, and work in humid, warm or variable greenhouse conditions.
Time management and ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production environment.
Problem-solving mindset and the ability to escalate issues and propose practical solutions.
Team-oriented attitude with a willingness to train and support seasonal staff.
Flexibility and adaptability to shift schedules, seasonal cycles and changing production demands.
Commitment to safety, biosecurity and sanitation protocols to protect crop health and staff well-being.
Willingness to learn and apply new technologies, software tools and production methods.
Customer-focus for roles supporting retail, wholesale or shipping functions, ensuring product quality and order accuracy.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; equivalent hands-on greenhouse or nursery experience accepted.

Preferred Education:

Associate's degree or certificate in Horticulture, Plant Science, Agriculture Technology, Sustainable Agriculture, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Horticulture
Plant Science / Botany
Agriculture / Agronomy
Environmental Science
Sustainable Agriculture / Crop Production

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years greenhouse, nursery or commercial horticulture experience (entry-level to early-career).

Preferred:

1–3 years of direct greenhouse or nursery production experience, including propagation and irrigation work.
Experience with IPM, fertigation programs and greenhouse climate control systems is highly desirable.
Certifications such as a state pesticide applicator license (or willingness to obtain), forklift certification and First Aid/CPR are a plus.