Plant Care Services Research Coordinator

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge qualifications and experience for the the normal course employees will be hired transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

At UBC we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research innovation and learning for all faculty staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
This position will collaborate with the Research Platform Manager for Plant Care Services to provide overall operational coordination of all research projects and all staff for Main Greenhouse South and Totem and will be responsible for managing all research activities. The coordinator will be responsible for understanding the operations and research projects assigned to each of the plant care services sites. The coordinator will consult with the Research Platform Manager to allocate plant care resources and staffing accordingly for the success/efficient/prioritization of resources for each research project. The coordinator will be expected to have an overall understanding of all plant care equipment and the maintenance requirements. The coordinator will ensure the security of staff and users at all times and will need to address emergency issues during and off regular hours.

Organizational Status
Plant Care Services is a shared research platform of the VP Research & Innovation portfolio.

This position will report to the Plant Care Services Research Manager. Will provide supervision to all staff. Will provide advice to Platform Manager concerning the allocation of staffing resources to research projects and day-to-day operational needs.

Works with a variety of internal and external users.

Work Performed

• Identifies and develops research methods required to perform studies and ensure proper interpretation of data.

• In collaboration with Plant Care Services Research Manager assesses the requirements of current and potential clients to determine the feasibility of current infrastructure to match these requirements.

• Participates in the management and development of relationships with the academic community and industry partners to meet their needs.

• Collaborates with researchers to assess their research needs. Reviews ongoing workplans and manages research activities against the workplans to ensure project success creating and implementing a system for documentation.

• Will operate as a back-up for the Research Platform Manager. This includes responding to emergencies during regular and outside working hours.

• Prepares documentation outlining the clients detailed scope of work schedules budgets and resources required for projects.

• Assists with managing expectations and interest of users to ensure they understand the scope of the project and the intended use of resources.

• Communicates and liaises with the project teams and managers to ensure effective work flows.

• Oversees and manages the work of technical staff in order to evaluate daily performance and provide guidance towards learning goals and performance.

• Ensures high quality of training and instruction for all users and oversees instruction and training to new users at Plant Care Services.

• Oversees aspects of facility requirements as per quality management.

• Participates in budget forecasts and prepares necessary financial reports.
  
  

• Reviews daily/monthly billing sheets for accuracy and creates summaries of project billing.

• Keep abreast of developments in the area of expertise and maintains necessary certifications.

• Participates as an active member of Steering Committee by attending steering committee meetings and contributing with valuable information and insight with regards to Plant Care Services.

• Creation and coordination of an on-call schedule between manager and coordinator of Plant Care Services.

• Liaise with Building Operations or service providers to resolve maintenance issues in a timely matter.

• Treat confidentially all information related to research projects personnel and locations and agrees not to disclose any such information to any person except as may be necessary in the proper discharge of work obligations.

• Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The efficient administration of research facilities such as those at the Main Campus South Campus greenhouses and Totem Field Station is vital to the VPRI portfolio and researchers from the Faculties of Science Forestry and Land and Food Systems as well as industry partners. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required to maintain the shared infrastructure operational effectiveness and reputation.

The Plant Care Services Research Coordinator is required to make professional decisions and assist with recommendations on all aspects of the research work and is responsible for the quality of research activities. All research and non-research activities are to be conducted in an ethical manner.

Any procedures or data recorded as part of a research study must be accurate. This position requires a high level of organizational skills to fulfill responsibilities and balance priorities. Any deviation from standard operating procedures could damage the facility prove costly and set back the research efforts of Principal Investigators.

Supervision Received
The individual will report to and will receive general supervision from the Plant Care Services Research Manager.

Supervision Given
The coordinator will provide direct supervision to technicians students and volunteers. This may be done so in combination with research manager.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline such as an Applied Plant Science Program and minimum of two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working within a greenhouse environment; including industry and commercial greenhouse operations.

Proven ability to troubleshoot complex automated software and hardware systems regulating climate control for heating lighting venting and CO2 enrichment within greenhouses and for many research projects.

Ability to oversee safe operation of all greenhouse and field equipment.

Demonstrates strong knowledge of proper irrigation and fertilization of plants monitoring of pests safe handling of chemicals such as fertilizers pesticides and biological control agents as well as climate control including temperature lighting ventilation and shading.

Proven ability to train staff students and researchers within Greenhouse and Field environments.

Experience in plant science research managing multiple projects and documenting research activities and accomplishing research objectives is preferred.

Knowledge in horticultural practices and insect and disease identification common to greenhouse environments.

Proven ability to conduct needs analyses plan organize manage monitor complete and evaluate research.

Skilled in clear and concise oral and written communication prioritization multitasking and building strong interpersonal connections.

Ability to adapt to changing priorities to meet deadlines.

Strong commitment to accuracy and meticulous attention to detail.

Ability to prepare complete concise and understandable technical documentation (protocols and procedures).

Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with a diversity of people (from students to industry contacts).

Ability to manage and handle large teams.

Physical ability to perform the duties of the job. Work is performed primarily indoors however may be required to work outdoors therefore good manual dexterity and ability to work in all weather is essential.

Knowledge of Argus and Priva climate control software.

Ability to use MS Office at an intermediate level (e.g. Outlook Word Excel).

Valid (Landscape- or Nursery-IPM) and BC Pesticide Applicator Certificate.