Nursery Technician

Position Information

The Ramadugu lab is seeking a full‑time nursery technician to work in the citrus breeding program at the University of California Riverside, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences. The goal of the program is to generate citrus huanglongbing‑resistant novel hybrids, maintain the breeding population in a regulated, APHIS‑certified greenhouse and evaluate the experimental trees in the UCR fields.

The successful candidate will know plant and horticultural care, especially of citrus. Experimental hybrids are first maintained in the greenhouse and later transferred to the field. Hybrids need to be propagated by grafting. Maintaining an inventory in the greenhouse is essential. The greenhouse facility will be inspected periodically by APHIS. The selected candidate is expected to participate in all these processes.

Field plantings will be done with assistance from UCR Agricultural Operations Department. Greenhouse maintenance will be a responsibility of the selected candidate.

Full salary range: $21.43 – $29.99 per hour. Budgeted salary range: $21.43 – $25.13 per hour. The realized minimum pay for this position is $25 per hour. Base salary offers are based on education, licensure, certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs.

Applicants must have current work authorization. The University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for staff.

• Undergraduate degree

• 2 years of experience in nursery techniques; ability to read, write and perform arithmetic calculations
• 3 or more years of additional experience (if required)

• Knowledge of plant and horticultural care
• Ability to lift approximately 40 pounds
• Ability to speak, read, and write in English
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work cooperatively with team members
• Knowledge of irrigation requirements and plant propagation methods
• Ability to work in the greenhouse/field in inclement weather (hot humid conditions under 95°F, cold damp foggy conditions, and windy weather, with the ability to work routinely when temperatures exceed 90°F)
• Ability to record data accurately on paper or handheld devices
• Ability to work 8‑hour shifts

• Experience working with citrus

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti‑discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit:
Employee Benefits Overview.