Native Plant Nursery Technician

Join Us in Protecting the Mojave Desert

The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is a dynamic nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the Mojave and Colorado Desert ecosystems. Since 2006, we’ve secured permanent protection for over 125,000 acres, tackling urgent environmental challenges with bold conservation action.

Position Overview

We’re hiring a temporary, part-time Nursery Technician to assist with daily operations of our Native Plant Nursery. This hands-on role involves sowing, transplanting, watering, weeding, soil mixing, and maintaining nursery organization and cleanliness.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform routine nursery tasks: sowing, thinning, transplanting, watering, weeding, pest and disease control, and seed collection/cleaning
• Prepare soil media mixes for all phases of plant production
• Follow best management practices for preventing Phytophthora and other plant pathogens
• Maintain organization, cleanliness, and safety standards of the nursery and equipment
• Assist with garden chores such as weeding
• Load, unload, and organize plant inventory
• Assist with receiving deliveries and verifying orders against packing lists to ensure accurate deliveries
• Support annual plant sales and related nursery events
• Provide additional support for Plant Conservation Department projects as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or equivalent
• License: Valid California Class C Driver’s License in good standing
• Skills: High attention to detail, ability to take direction and accept feedback, capacity to work independently and as part of a team

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in a production nursery, landscaping, or restoration environment
• Knowledge of basic container nursery irrigation methods and equipment

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Subject to reasonable accommodation in accordance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the Nursery Technician role involves regular physical activity and outdoor work in variable desert conditions, including:

• Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, and pull objects up to fifty (50) pounds
• Frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, and standing for extended periods of time
• Working outdoors in all weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, wind)
• Use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemical substances in accordance with safety protocols
• Operation of powered equipment (weed trimmers, chop saws)
• Regular operation of MDLT vehicles
• Ability to work alone and in teams

Position Details

• Schedule: 24 hours per week (8 hours each on Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
• Duration: October 2025 through May/June 2026 (exact end date TBD)
• Work Location: Work will be performed in our Native Plant Nursery in Joshua Tree, CA
• Compensation: $20.00 – $20.50 per hour based on experience
• Employment Status: Temporary Part-Time, Non-Exempt (hourly)

Why Work with MDLT?

At MDLT, we’re a passionate, mission-driven team committed to protecting the desert – and to supporting one another. We believe that a diverse, inclusive workplace leads to stronger ideas and better outcomes. If you’re looking to make a real impact in conservation and thrive in a collaborative, supportive environment, this is the place for you.