Biology Greenhouse and Vivarium Manager

Job ID: 7343

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting a Biology Greenhouse and Vivarium Manager ( Instruction and Classroom Support Technician 4) to join our Biological Sciences team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We’re offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students’ Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You’ll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator .

The Role:

The Instruction and Classroom Support Technician supports and coordinates instructional, research, and outreach activities in Biological Sciences including providing care and maintenance for plants and animals used for teaching, research, and public display, including the live and preserved specimen collections. The position supports faculty and student research and teaching by maintaining, repairing, and/or constructing various research apparatuses in laboratories and the field. This position will also schedule and/or conduct public tours of Engelhorn Pond, the CWU Greenhouse, and the live and preserved specimen collections to support campus-centered and public events such as open houses. The Instruction and Classroom Support Technician directly affects the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by practicing responsible stewardship of our resources and promoting access and opportunity for all students. All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU’s vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.

Job Duties

Greenhouse care and plant maintenance:
* Collaborate with faculty to develop, design, and/or prepare classroom and research experiments involving live plants
* Cultivate, propagate, water, fertilize, and chemically treat plants in the greenhouse and in the Science building
* Work with and train students, faculty, staff, and volunteers to maintain facilities and collections. Prepare cost estimates and assist with purchasing supplies including potting mix, pots, tools, labels, etc.
* Maintain greenhouse in an orderly manner and in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations
* Establish, maintain, and communicate safety policies and standard operating procedures for greenhouse users
* Maintain necessary computerized records and labeling practices in greenhouse
* Assist with oversight and use of automated and manual irrigation systems, lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation equipment and work with facilities to initiate maintenance and repair requests
* Develop and administer the Integrated Pest Management program as necessary, using safety procedures in handling hazardous materials such as pesticides and biohazardous waste
* Work with campus facilities department to implement facility changes and repairs
* Maintain outdoor greenhouse garden and Engelhorn pond; monitor plants in the CWU arboretum

Animal care and maintenance of vivarium and display animals:
* Ensure that food and water are provided for the vivarium/display animals, preparing special diets as required
* Study and evaluate new trends and developments in animal care and develop plans for facility improvements
* Ensure the daily sanitation routines are performed including providing feed and bedding, handling and moving animals, changing cages, cleaning cases and aquaria, and conducting daily room checks of environmental conditions
* Check for and address animal health problems daily
* Determine need, prepare cost estimates for, and oversee veterinary care
* Handle a wide variety of species of animals, including both vertebrates and invertebrates
* Maintain records according to approved Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee protocols
* Establish and maintain safety training and standard operating procedures for animal care facility and display animals
* Perform routine maintenance on preserved specimen collections, such as adding preservatives to specimen jars, checking for insect damage on skins, etc.
* Maintain computerized records
* Setup, maintain and care for animals (including venomous reptiles) in building aquaria and terraria
* Work with and train students, faculty, staff, and volunteers to maintain animal facilities and collections

Research and Educational Support:
* Prepare tanks, cages, aquaria, etc. for student and faculty projects
* Construct, maintain, repair or replace various research apparatuses and equipment used in laboratories, teaching and research spaces, and in the field
* Work closely with faculty and students to coordinate plant and animal care for student and faculty research projects and course activities
* Work with faculty to acquire and produce specimen labels and educational signs
* Train and lead student employees and volunteers including interviewing and recommending selection of applicants, training, assigning and scheduling work, and recommending disciplinary actions
* Coordinate the use of the stockroom, flammable cabinet, and specimen collection

Schedule and conduct tours of Engelhorn Pond, CWU Greenhouse, and live animal collections:
* Schedule, lead, and track educational tours and outreach events that involve Biology facilities
* Properly handle live snakes and other reptiles while giving educational talks to select groups
* Create promotional materials such as social media posts and flyers for events and services

* Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field.
• Experience working with animals and cultivating plants.
• Ability to maintain equipment associated with live and/or preserved plants and animals within the collections.
• Computer skills that demonstrate the ability to use software applications to produce written correspondence and to create and maintain spreadsheets.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with biological research projects involving students using plants or animals in an academic setting.
• Experience working with plants in a greenhouse or outdoor setting.
• Experience in monitoring, feeding, and maintaining a variety of animals including exotic and venomous species.
• Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWU’s vision, mission, and values.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At CWU, we’re committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you’re looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: This position is based on the range 51 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $55,836 and maximum annual salary of $75,108. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday – Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch) / PSE Bargaining Unit 4

Working Conditions: Work will be performed in biology labs, animal housing rooms, the greenhouse, classrooms, and occasionally in the field. Much of the work involves physical labor to care for animals and plants as well as some outdoor labor to maintain the plants at Engelhorn Pond and the garden outside of the greenhouse. Work inside the greenhouse may be in hot and humid conditions. The position often requires standing/bending/walking as well as lifting/carrying heavy objects such as water jugs and fertilizer pails and walking on wet floors. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required. Chemical safety training and adherence to IACUC protocols are required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator .

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program .

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;
• Resume including work history, education, training; and
• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: May 20, 2026

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Clay Arango
Title: Department Chair, Biological Sciences
Email: Clay.Arango@cwu.edu
Phone: (509) 963-3163
Website: www.cwu.edu/academics/biology/

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

This position is part of a Public School Employees of Washington (PSE) bargaining unit.

The seniority date for the selected applicant shall be set in accordance with Article 43.2 of the Public School Employees (PSE) collective bargaining agreement.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University’s policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance , 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.

Location: Ellensburg, WA

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