Horticulture Technician I #220380

Regular, Full-Time, RCUH Non-Civil Service position with the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) performing project tasks under the applicable cooperative agreement for the U.S. Army Garrison (USAG), Directorate of Public Works (DPW), Environmental Office, Natural Resources Section, located on the island of Oahu. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws. 

MINIMUM MONTHLY SALARY:  $2,497/Mon. 

DUTIES:  The primary goal is to ensure that the military mission is accomplished and that training opportunities are realized to the fullest extent possible in a manner consistent with Federal, State, and Army environmental quality policies. Work must be done in accordance with applicable Army, Federal, and State regulations and laws, especially regarding endangered species, safety and health, and pesticides. Majority of tasks take place on Army lands.  Implements natural resource management in the nursery and field for the horticultural program of the Oahu Army Natural Resources Program (OANRP) to meet program goals for the Makua Implementation Plan (MIP) and Oahu Implementation Plan (OIP), and to keep the Army in compliance with Biological Opinions.  Implements work designed and planned by the Natural Resource Conservation (NRC) staff and Horticulture Supervisor.  Conducts nursery and other ex-situ and inter-situ living collection propagation and maintenance of native Hawaiian plants, including rare, threatened and endangered species.  Implements routine nursery maintenance and repairs, germinates seeds and utilizes additional propagation techniques to propagate plants (e.g., air-layering, cuttings) for outplanting and maintains viable genetic representation of rare plants in cultivation. Manages plant pathogens and insect pests, conducts weed and rat abatement activities, implements nursery phytosanitary procedures and decontaminates plants prior to outplanting. Collaborates in the development and implementation of an Integrated Pest Management Plan. Cleans and maintains nursery infrastructure and maintains inventories.  Keeps accurate nursery records and assists in the maintenance of the plant propagation database.  Prepares electronic report of project accomplishments and problems to the OANRP Horticulture Supervisor, OANRP Rare Plant Program Coordinator, and Natural Resource Management Supervisors. Works in the field on activities, such as plant propagule collection, outplanting, post-planting care and monitoring.  Complies with all safety policies and procedures. Works in warm indoor and outdoor environments for extended periods of time.  Wears a respirator and other appropriate PPE to apply pesticides.  Must be willing to work flexible hours, including several hours on weekends, usually once to twice a month. Drives project vehicles to field sites. Requires riding in helicopters and driving off-road. Works in areas with Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) with professional Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) supervision.  Must be willing to work flexible hours, including several hours on weekends, usually once to twice a month. This is a progressive job group, which allows for entry at Level I and possible promotion through experience and demonstrated competence based on an established competency matrix. 

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION/TRAINING:  Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in Biological, Botanical, Horticultural, or Environmental Science with basic/related biology/botany courses, or related field.  EXPERIENCE:  Up to one (0-1) year of experience with plant propagation techniques in horticultural industries or botanical conservation.  ABIL/KNOW/SKILLS:  Basic knowledge of principles of plant propagation, plant biology, nutrition and physiology, environmental physiology and ecology, soil science, applied chemistry, plant pathology and entomology. Basic knowledge of irrigation operation, construction and repair, pest symptoms, identification and control, safe application of pesticides and their regulation, and fertilizer application. Familiarity with classification of native Hawaiian plants, botanical nomenclature and terminology.  Good working knowledge of computers, word-processing, and databases. Must have thorough knowledge of nursery and horticultural procedures and methods and be able to make critical decisions in the propagation/cultivation of native Hawaiian plant species, most of which are federally listed as Endangered Species.  Basic plumbing and electrical skills (for irrigation systems). Able to apply pesticides safely. Must be able to perform repeated tasks with a high level of accuracy and consistency. Able to effectively use word processing, database, and spreadsheet programs. Ability to enter data in Microsoft Access database.  Ability to manipulate data in Microsoft Excel and proficiency in Microsoft Word.  Strong organizational/record-keeping skills. Strong communication skills to contribute to the weekly task list in the nurseries and inter-situ sites and effectively convey plant health issues.  Must possess a valid driver’s license (and if use of personal vehicle on the job is required, must also have valid personal driver’s insurance equivalent to Hawai‘i’s No-Fault Driver’s Insurance) and maintain throughout the duration of employment.  Post Offer/Employment Conditions: Must be able to pass a Department of Defense (DoD) security check for employment as an Army contractor. Applicants selected will be subject to a Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to unclassified information. Must be able to complete helicopter safety courses within six (6) months from date of hire. Must be able to obtain State of Hawai‘i Certification for Application of Restricted Use Pesticides within six (6) months from date of hire and maintain throughout duration of employment. Must possess Certification in First Aid/CPR (or be able to obtain the certificate following the training provided within three (3) months from date of hire) and maintain throughout duration of employment. Must complete Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Training within six (6) months from date of hire and maintain throughout duration of employment. Must complete respirator training prior to use of respirator.  PHYSICAL/MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Able and willing to conduct work under dirty, muddy, rainy or sunny, hot or cold, and strenuous outdoor conditions (e.g., extreme weather, mosquitoes, and steep terrain).  Able to hike up to six (6) miles per day, with a backpack weighing up to thirty-five (35) pounds unassisted.  Able to work in warm indoor and outdoor environments for extended periods of time.  Considerable amount of bending, stooping, crouching, standing for long periods and lifting loads up to fifty (50) pounds unassisted are required. Able to apply pesticides using hand-held and backpack sprayers. Able to stand for long durations and reach with arms and back for extended periods of time when watering and applying pesticides. Requires wear and use of respirator in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) requirements.  Post Offer/Employment Condition: Must be able to pass a post offer medical evaluation/respiratory test for use of respirators. Annual respirator medical clearance and fitting are required.  All reasonable accommodations will be made based on fitness for duty.  Medical costs will be paid for by the employer. POLICY AND/OR REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:  As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to all applicable RCUH policies and procedures and, as applicable, subject to University of Hawai‘i's and/or business entity's policies and procedures.  Violation of RCUH's, UH's, or business entity's policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.). 

SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS:  Education and experience in programs managing rare and endangered species and ecosystems on Army lands in Hawai‘i. Knowledge of Department of the Army natural resources programs in general and the policies and organizational contexts within which they are managed. Experience in professional nursery management or the agriculture industry.  Experience working in plant conservation or natural resource management, especially in Hawai‘i. Ability to use a Global Information System (GIS).  Experience with Army natural resource organizational, logistical and safety systems and procedures.  Knowledge of Federal, State, and local environmental laws.  Identification of common nursery plant pests.  Identification of common plant diseases and nutrient deficiency symptoms.  Experience in propagation and cultivation of rare plant species, especially rare Hawaiian plant taxa. 

INQUIRIES:  Christopher Wong 393-6368 (Oahu). 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please go to www.rcuh.com and click on “Job Postings.” You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, 3) Supervisory References, 4) Copy of Degree(s)/Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawai‘i Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, you may send additional documents to rcuh_employment@rcuh.com. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call (808)956-7262 or (808)956-0872.e.