Laboratory Technician

Job Title: Greenhouse Technician
Location: Johnston, Iowa
Duration:11+Months
Shift: Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Job Description:

The Controlled Environments Team is seeking a motivated and responsible Greenhouse Technician to support research operations at a four-acre facility in Johnston, Iowa. This role involves assisting with routine greenhouse activities such as seeding, pollinating, transplanting, watering, harvesting, tissue sampling, and data collection. The technician will also contribute to maintaining a clean, safe, and compliant greenhouse environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform daily greenhouse plant care, including watering, harvesting, discarding plants, and seed processing for crops such as corn, soybean, and wheat.

• Move carts of plants in and out of greenhouses.

• Assist with experiments, data collection, and record maintenance.

• Operate threshing machinery safely following established protocols.

• Follow all safety, operational, and compliance procedures at all times.

• Conduct routine sanitation tasks such as cleaning pots, disposing of regulated materials, and sanitizing greenhouse areas.

• Maintain accurate identification and tracking of thousands of plant/seed samples.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, biology, or a related field preferred, OR 3+ years of relevant experience.

• Experience operating machinery and following protocols is preferred.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow standard operating procedures.

• Good communication and organizational skills.

• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and in a team environment.

• Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook) and ability to learn internal systems.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods.

• Must be able to lift at least 30 lbs.

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks in a warm, humid greenhouse environment with year-round pollen exposure.

Additional Information:

• Driving is not required for this role.

• No special equipment required.

SPECTRAFORCE is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Please contact Human Resources at [email protected] if you require reasonable accommodation.