Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum — one of the world’s most distinguished botanical institutions, founded in 1872 and located in Boston, Massachusetts — is seeking a knowledgeable and dedicated Plant Technologist to care for research and teaching plants, maintain world-class greenhouse facilities, and support a full range of scientific research and educational activities at the state-of-the-art Weld Hill Research Facility. This is a genuinely rare opportunity to contribute to one of America’s most beloved and scientifically important living plant collections while working within Harvard University’s vibrant and supportive academic community.
About This Role — Plant Technology at Harvard’s Weld Hill Research Facility
Employer: Harvard University — Arnold Arboretum, one of the world’s premier botanical institutions and part of the Boston Parks System
Facility: Weld Hill Research Facility — approximately 6,800 sq. ft. of greenhouses, growth chambers, and lab workspace plus ~33,000 sq. ft. of outdoor common garden space
Role Scope: Plant care for research and teaching collections, greenhouse and growth chamber maintenance, pest management, inventory, and record-keeping
Schedule: 18 hours per week — requires one weekend day per week and half of University holidays
Term: 2-year term position with an end date two years from hire — benefits-eligible from day one
Why Harvard Arnold Arboretum — A Career in Living Plant Science
World-Class Collection: The Arnold Arboretum houses one of the world’s most biodiverse collections of temperate woody plants across 281 acres — a truly unique professional environment
Prestigious Employer: Working at Harvard University adds one of the world’s most recognized academic brand credentials to your professional profile and career history
Community Impact: The Arboretum hosts 3–4 million visitors annually as part of Boston’s park system — your plant care work directly enriches the lives of millions of people
Research Contribution: Support world-class scientific research and teaching programs in horticulture, plant science, and botany at one of America’s most respected research universities
Position Overview
The Plant Technologist at the Arnold Arboretum’s Weld Hill Research Facility will be responsible for the day-to-day care of research and teaching plant collections — including watering, fertilization, sanitation, and pest management — while also monitoring greenhouse and growth chamber operations, maintaining clean and safe facilities, keeping accurate plant health and inventory records, and coordinating special plant care for individual researcher projects. Working closely with Arboretum faculty, staff, and Harvard researchers, this role is essential to ensuring that Weld Hill’s world-class plant growth facilities consistently support the highest standards of botanical research and teaching excellence.
Why This Plant Technologist Role at Harvard Stands Out: You work at one of the world’s most celebrated and scientifically important botanical institutions — caring for plant collections used by Harvard’s world-leading research faculty, your daily plant care work directly enables scientific breakthroughs in plant science, horticulture, ecology, and conservation across one of America’s most respected academic programs, Harvard University’s comprehensive benefits package — including medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, parental leave, tuition assistance, and commuter benefits — makes this a truly rewarding employment package even for an 18-hour-per-week position, the Arnold Arboretum’s position as part of the Boston Parks System means your work enriches the lives of 3–4 million visitors annually — a genuine public service dimension that makes this role uniquely meaningful, and Boston’s vibrant academic and horticulture community provides exceptional opportunities for professional networking, learning, and career development in plant science.
Key Responsibilities
Research & Teaching Plant Care
- Care for a diverse range of research and teaching plant species — providing watering, fertilization, sanitation, and all routine cultural practices to maintain healthy, high-quality plant collections
- Work closely with Growth Facility staff and Harvard researchers to establish and maintain appropriate growth parameters, fertilization regimes, and cultural practices for each plant collection
- Administer special care to plants for individual researchers on a project-by-project basis — consulting with researchers and the Plant Growth Facilities Manager to determine specific care requirements
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive plant health records, pest and disease scouting results, and growth condition documentation throughout the research and teaching season
Pest Management & Plant Health Monitoring
- Assess, diagnose, and coordinate treatments for pest control — conducting cultural and biological control interventions as needed to keep specified plant collections pest-free and healthy
- Regularly scout all greenhouse and growth chamber plant collections for signs of pest activity, disease, or nutrient deficiency — reporting findings accurately and in a timely manner
- Apply appropriate pest management strategies in compliance with Federal, State, and Harvard University regulatory requirements for greenhouse and growth chamber environments
- Document all pest management activities and interventions accurately — maintaining complete and current records that support research integrity and compliance accountability
Greenhouse & Growth Chamber Facility Maintenance
- Monitor the operation of greenhouses and growth chambers continuously — reporting any issues involving equipment, supplies, operations, safety, security, or maintenance to the Plant Growth Facilities Manager promptly
- Ensure all greenhouse and growth chamber facilities are clean, safe, well-organized, and operating smoothly at all times to support uninterrupted research and teaching activities
- Coordinate with other facility staff members as required to maintain the highest standards of facility operation, cleanliness, and plant collection safety
- Maintain plant facility records and inventory systems accurately — ensuring all plant, equipment, and supply data is current and readily accessible for operational and research purposes
Qualifications & Requirements
Basic Qualifications
- Minimum two years of hands-on horticultural experience including pest management principles and practices, plant propagation and culture methods, and soil and growth media preparation
- Must possess and maintain (or acquire within 3–4 months of hire) a valid driver’s license — an RMV check is required as part of Harvard’s pre-employment screening process
- Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the role: bending, reaching, stooping, climbing ladders, standing/walking for up to 2 hours, and frequently lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs
Additional Qualifications & Skills
- Experience with hand and power tools relevant to horticultural and greenhouse maintenance operations
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously under deadline pressure
- Ability to work effectively with diverse constituents including faculty, students, researchers, vendors, and administrative and facilities staff within a university setting
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to tactfully build and maintain productive working relationships with clients, staff, administrators, and vendors
About Harvard University & The Arnold Arboretum
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is a 281-acre living museum of trees that has been teaching the world about plants since its founding in 1872. Boasting one of the world’s most biodiverse collections of temperate woody plants — combined with world-class scientific resources and a commitment to diverse and accessible programming — the Arboretum is a globally recognized leader in horticulture, plant science, and botanical education. As part of the Boston Parks system, it is free and open to all daily, welcoming 3 to 4 million visitors every year.
Harvard University is home to a 5,000+ employee Central Administration organization committed to creating a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy ensures that all community members can participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination — welcoming talent from all parts of society and the world.
Important Notes: This position is 100% on-site, requires pre-employment reference and background screenings (identity and motor vehicle record), and Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. This is a 2-year term position with a 3-month orientation and review period.
Career Excellence: Contribute to the world’s understanding of plants and support world-class Harvard University research — where your horticultural expertise, plant care knowledge, and scientific support skills make a genuinely meaningful difference in one of Boston’s most beloved and historically important botanical institutions.
Who Should Apply?
- Greenhouse Technicians & Horticulturists: With 2+ years of hands-on plant care, pest management, and greenhouse operations experience in a research, botanical, or production horticultural setting
- Plant Science Professionals: With experience supporting research or teaching plant collections at universities, botanical gardens, or research institutions in the Boston or Massachusetts area
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialists: With demonstrated cultural and biological pest control experience in greenhouse or growth chamber environments
- Horticulture & Plant Propagation Graduates: With practical soil and growth media preparation skills, plant propagation experience, and familiarity with growth chamber and greenhouse operations
- Essential Staff-Ready Professionals: Who are available to work one weekend day per week, half of university holidays, and during adverse weather conditions — and who hold or can obtain a valid Massachusetts driver’s license
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