Student Worker: Biology - Allegheny Arboretum Assistant

Nestled in the scenic foothills of western Pennsylvania, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) offers more than a place to work—it offers a vibrant campus community where innovation, collaboration, and natural beauty come together. Our picturesque campus features tree-lined walkways, historic architecture, and welcoming green spaces that create an inspiring environment for learning, working, and connecting.

At IUP, employees are part of a supportive and engaged community dedicated to student success, academic excellence, and meaningful impact. Located in the charming college town of Indiana, Pennsylvania—just over an hour from Pittsburgh—our campus combines small-town warmth with access to the cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities of a major metropolitan area.

Whether enjoying a walk across the Oak Grove, collaborating with colleagues in dynamic academic spaces, or engaging in the many cultural and community events hosted throughout the year, IUP offers an exceptional place to build a career and make a difference.

Position Summary & Description

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) is seeking applications from students who are self-motivated, detail-oriented, reliable, and have knowledge of ecological processes in the natural world. Biology majors will be given preference.

Position Qualifications

The Allegheny Arboretum is interested in candidates who have communication skills and cross-cultural abilities to maximize their effectiveness with diverse groups of students, colleagues, and community members. Must be professional, reliable, and responsible.

Candidates must communicate effectively and perform well during the interview(s).

Essential Functions

The main duties of this job will be gardening activities to create and maintain the educational focus of the fern and wildflower garden in the courtyard of Kopchick Hall. The garden, “Fern Hollow”, is an all-native plant garden used for classes and research in the Biology Department at IUP.

The gardening will require physical effort. The student worker will be stooping, bending, kneeling, pulling, stretching, carrying, watering, and standing for prolonged periods. The manual duties will be outdoors and are mostly weeding undesirable plants, planting new plants, and spreading mulch. Some supplies will be lifted and carried. The job will require the ability to follow oral and written instructions. The worker must be professional and responsible with their key card access to the field room and water port.

The successful candidate will be amenable to other duties as needs arise. These duties might include organizing, cleaning, and moving supplies.

Optional: If the student has a driver’s license and is willing, they may operate a 12-passenger van. The van driving will be to pick up and drop off supplies, students, and faculty to various locations on and off campus.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Committed to excellence through diversity, IUP is an equal opportunity employer M/F/H/V and is a proud member of the State System of Higher Education.

All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon confirmation of work eligibility and satisfactory completion of all pre-employment background checks.

IUP is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants and employees with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process or to perform the essential functions of a position.

Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, consistent with the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity.

Applicants who require an accommodation during the recruitment process are encouraged to contact human-resources@iup.edu.

All offers of employment are contingent upon verification of earned degrees through the receipt of official transcripts, confirmation of work eligibility, and satisfactory completion of background checks.