What Does a Greenhouse Technician Do?

A greenhouse technician maintains a greenhouse like this.

Greenhouse technicians work in greenhouses, a typically glass structure that encases temperature and humidity for the purposes of plant cultivation. These greenhouses are often found at universities or professional research facilities. Technicians are primarily tasked with breeding new plants and finding plant uses.

Basic Plant Care

Although the plants in a greenhouse will vary and thus the specific duties of the greenhouse technician with them, the tasks are essentially similar across the board. Technicians are typically in charge of transplanting, thinning, harvesting and drying plants, and treating and watering seeds.

Seed Storage Management and Data Collection

Greenhouse technicians are often in charge of seed storage management, such as categorizing and labeling seed envelopes with instructions for growth. They are usually in charge of data collection, keeping records of plant growth statistics and making environmental and care decisions based on that data.

Qualifications

Employers of greenhouse technicians like their employees to have a bachelor's degree in science and academic research experience in a greenhouse and plant lab. Technicians must sometimes be proficient in certain computer and database programs the greenhouse uses to store data.

References

• AgricultureJobs: Greenhouse Technician
• UNH: Greenhouse Technician