Native Plant Nursery Manager

Don’t miss this opportunity to progress your conservation career!

Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN), based in Marin County and a program of Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) is seeking a full-time Nursery Manager to join our fast-paced, innovative environmental organization and be a key part of our ocean and watershed conservation efforts. If you are passionate about conservation, self-motivated, and eager to help us fight to save the planet,  then we want to hear from you!

TIRN is an award-winning conservation nonprofit organization with offices in California and Texas. For 35 years, TIRN has led the grassroots fight against extinction locally, nationally and internationally. We take on the big problems of the world’s oceans and watersheds — industrial fishing, climate change, pollution, and habitat loss — with a can-do attitude and highly motivated, passionate individuals.

Learn more about our work at www.seaturtles.org.

Position Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of a high functioning native plant nursery, including but not limited to care of potted plants, transplanting, plant and seed propagation including seed storage, pot-washing, pathogen testing and other nursery hygiene.
• Recruit and educate interns (high school and college level+)
• Direct nursery volunteer group and manage nursery volunteer events.
• Lead propagation and plant care; collect seeds and propagules for propagation.
• Maintain nursery area, keeping weed-free grounds, irrigation system in the nursery greenhouse and shade house, keeping nursery plants watered and fertilized, etc..
• Inspect plants for pests and pathogens and maintain Integrated Pest Management System utilizing biocontrol insects.
• Renew and manage seed collection permits with the National park Service, Samuel P. Taylor State Park, and Marin County and manage seed and propagule collection reporting.
• Purchase nursery supplies such as soil, etc., as necessary for smooth function of nursery.
• Maintain Tocaloma office / nursery property including water catchment systems and ensure needs of grounds maintenance are met.
• Coordinate planting and management for ongoing and new restoration project(s).
• Work with volunteers and nursery interns to remove invasives from restoration project sites and plant natives
• Document/record volunteer days as needed for social media outreach. Assists with e-news, print newsletter, and development of website content
• Lead oversight and management of the Lagunitas House and properties as needed for the residential intern program.
• Other work as assigned by the executive director, to which this position reports.

HOW WE WILL HELP

TIRN/SPAWN  has an experienced, passionate, and dedicated management team complemented by a strong portfolio of campaign successes, members and donors, and hard “assets” in place.

Additionally, we have an incredible story to tell! We’ve closed sea turtle slaughterhouses in Mexico, protected nesting beaches in Nicaragua, shut down industrial fisheries, successful legal action against Federal government for violating environmental law, proposed paradigm-shifting marine protected areas, removed dams and implemented fish passages, restored creeks and riparian areas to protect endangered salmon and threatened steelhead trout, helped initiate the creation and restoration of a public park by re-created critical floodplain habitat and planting native plants..

This opportunity provides room for growth within the organization, as there has never been more of an important time to protect and restore our native landscapes and its biodiversity.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESRequired Skills/Experience

• 5+ years experience in botany / restoration with a focus on California native plants.
• 3+ years experience in native plant nursery management, including hands-on experience in all aspects of nursery functioning, protocols, and safety procedures.
• 3+ years experience recruiting and managing volunteers and interns in a professional setting.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and work against set priorities. Ability to keep a calendar and accurately and comprehensively record volunteer events, hours, etc.
• Strong people skills with focus on recruiting, organizing, motivating, and recognizing volunteers and interns.
• Strong naturalist knowledge and plant identification abilities.
• A commitment to ocean and watershed protection; a strong conservation mindset.

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Strong knowledge of CA native riparian, wetland/estuary, and coastal prairie plants
• Degree in ecology or related field.
• CA Naturalist Certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to work occasional long hours, nights, and weekends as needed.
• Ability to do physical work for restoration activities, sometimes involving carrying heavy objects(40 lbs). operating garden tools, and the like.
• Ability to be available via text, phone, and email to problem-solve urgent concerns as they arise.

Location: This position will be based in our office in Olema, California.

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, or Tuesday thru Saturday when Saturday restoration events are scheduled. This position may require occasional work on weekends and evenings.