Nursery Specialist

About Sequoia Riverlands Trust

Sequoia Riverlands Trust is a regional nonprofit land trust focused on the Tulare Basin, which comprises the southern San Joaquin Valley and Sierra foothills of Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties, with additional conservation projects in 5 other California counties. We are accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, and our mission to conserve the lands and waters of California’s heartland is supported by our ambitious programs in conservation easements (habitat and farmland), land stewardship, restoration, conservation outreach, and education.

We envision a future in which a network of protected natural and working lands thrives in the region we serve, with business, agriculture, and society aligned around sustainable land and water management practices.

OVERVIEW

• The Sequoia Riverlands Trust Nursery specialist will be responsible for growing and selling native plants while maintaining the Dry Creek Nursery. The nursery operation focuses on California native plants and other drought tolerant, non-invasive plants for restoration projects, wholesale orders, homeowners, and agricultural habitat enhancement. The Specialist will also lead a cohort of trainees within the nursery Workforce Development Program with support from the Nursery Manager and other SRT staff. This position is grant-funded and continued employment is contingent on future grant funding.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist Nursery Manager with nursery operations
• • Propagation of plant material including seeds, cuttings, division and transplanting
  • Keeping the nursery in good condition and maintaining irrigation and other infrastructure
  • Supports the Nursery Manager in building relationships and fulfilling orders made by agencies, municipalities, business, and other community partners.
• Conduct regular plant sale events and hold regular public hours.
• Manage and update inventory and support with fulfillment of online orders
• Travel to farmer’s markets and other public events in local communities to bring access to native plants to as many people as possible.
• Work closely with the Land Management & Mitigation Department to provide needed plants for restoration projects on SRT preserves.
• Work closely with SRT Education & Volunteer Department to provide expertise and guidance for school field trips and volunteer work days

SUPERVISION

• The Nursery Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Nursery Manager and oversees trainees from the Nursery Workforce Development Program.

DESIRED SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

• Professional experience pertaining to nursery work with a basic knowledge of plant names, taxonomy, plant growth, care and maintenance
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends in order to accommodate public events
• Ability to move and lift plants as well as other nursery tools and items
• Ability to work independently and part of a team, and with groups of people in an education or volunteer setting
• Ability to use and learn a variety of computer software, including Microsoft office, basic design software, pdf software, and a computerized POS system
• Driver’s license, proof of insurance, a reliable vehicle, and willingness to drive it for projects that are off-site, sometimes for long distances (mileage is reimbursed at the federal rate). Your primary work site will be the Dry Creek Nursery located at 35220 Dry Creek Dr, Woodlake, CA 93286

WORK SETTING AND CONDITIONS

• SRT’s headquarters is in Visalia, California, a city of about 130,000 residents in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The region has a Mediterranean climate, with cool, moist winters and hot, dry summers. SRT’s preserves and conservation easements are distributed over nine counties, including lands in the foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley and in the Carrizo Plain area. The specific work conditions of this position are as follows:

• This position will spend a significant portion of time in the field
• When not in the field, a well-lit, heated, and air-conditioned indoor office with moderate noise will be available
• Physical Demands

o Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

o Moderate to strenuous physical activity on occasion

o Manual dexterity sufficient to reach and handle items, work with fingers and perceive attributes of objects and materials; ability to stand, walk, sit, and reach

o Ability to use hand tools such as shovels, pitchforks, loppers, handsaws, and others

• Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature, using clear vision of nearby objects
• At times, be outdoors in all weather conditions
• Work hours will typically be in the range of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with some additional hours later in the evening at times.

COMPENSATION

• This non-exempt position is on Band 2 of the SRT Pay Bands, with a pay rate of $21 - $24 per hour for new employees.
• Benefits include health insurance, a 401k with an employer match up to 3%, employer-paid life insurance, employer-paid short-term disability insurance, generous paid time off, and optional elective dental and vision benefits.
• The position is grant-funded, and continued employment is contingent on future grant funding.

OTHER NOTES

• Candidates MUST be able to pass a background check

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Sequoia Riverlands Trust is an equal opportunity employer. Our practices support diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in our workforce.