Greenhouse and Field Technician

These positions are for people who like to work with plants, enjoy being more outdoors, but also like to understand science.  They care for plants that have been created through genetic engineering and have to understand how to plant seeds, pollinate flowers, water and weed plant beds, plant rooted plants, nuture root cuttings, treat plants for disease and pest infestation, and be able to use a computer for documentation purposes. They can work in a greenhouse and or out in the fields and may need experience with farm equipment. Employers hire people with two year degrees in plant science, crop science or botany, or four year people with degrees in agriculture, agromony, plant science, biology or botany.

Certification:

People with IPM training are needed by the horticulture industry to identify and assess pest problems, and help to recommend and help to implement management programs. Career opportunities in IPM for qualified applicants are expected to increase over the next several years.

Graduates may find work as IPM field scouts in nurseries, greenhouses, or for field crop and/or orchard operations. Graduates may work directly for growers, for IPM consulting firms, or as technicians in various government research programs. 

Required Skills:

Greenhouse technicians usually need an associate degree in horticulture, plant science or a similar field. Employers also prefer to hire those with two or more years of work experience. Depending on the state in which they work, some technicians need certification or licensure in pesticide application. Computer skills that allow a technician to record and track data are also useful.

Technicians often work as part of a team of researchers and must be able to communicate effectively with other workers. They may be asked to follow complicated directions given by their supervisors and act as mentors to students.