Nursery Fellow

https://www.mountainwatch.org/job-opportunities

Background

San Bruno Mountain is a refuge for native plants and animals of the San Francisco Bay Area and one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The mountain is in northern San Mateo County, surrounded by Brisbane, Colma, Daly City, and South San Francisco. 

San Bruno Mountain Watch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We care for San Bruno Mountain through conservation, ecological restoration, education, and advocacy in partnership with local communities. Learn more at www.mountainwatch.org

Position Overview

Mission Blue Nursery, a program of San Bruno Mountain Watch, grows native plants entirely from seeds and cuttings collected on San Bruno Mountain and provides them for ecological restoration projects on the mountain. Through public plant sales and contracts, we supply plants for sustainable landscaping projects in local cities including community gardens, backyards, and other urban parks.

The Nursery Fellow will carry out the general maintenance and plant production tasks of the Mission Blue Nursery and serve as a coordinator for nursery volunteers and weekly volunteer programs. Volunteers help at the nursery every week and are an integral part of our operations. 

This role is not limited to the Mission Blue Nursery—the Nursery Fellow will frequently work as part of a team to host ecological restoration events (planting, weeding) and educational events (school field trips, guided hikes) and seed collection events on San Bruno Mountain.

This job opportunity is a one-year fellowship and an at-will employment position, with the opportunity to transition into a permanent role. The fellowship is offered on an annual basis, finishing a year after the start date; while not guaranteed, the Fellow may be offered a promotion to a permanent position during or after the course of the term, depending on performance and organizational needs. It is our hope that the Fellow hired will be successful in continuing with our organization beyond the fellowship period.

Term

• Full-Time. 32 to 40 hours per week depending on your preference and availability.
• Flexible Work Schedule: Preferred days of work and hours per day are open for discussion.
• Working Wednesdays is required each week.
• Working two to three Saturdays per month is required.
• At-Will Employment

Compensation

Starting wage of $25.00 per hour. Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, and Paid Holidays.

Eligible for QSEHRA and SIMPLE IRA.

To Apply

• Email a cover letter and resumé to ariel@mountainwatch.org
• Complete this brief form. https://forms.gle/RfL6rgUQDteBKt5c9

Applications are accepted in June and July of 2026 or until the position is filled.

A limited number of applicants will be invited to interview. Most interviews will be conducted in July.

Mission Blue Nursery Activities 

Community-Based Volunteer Programs

• Prepare for, help lead, and clean up after nursery volunteer workdays.
• Collaborate with other team members to host nursery activities as part of service-learning school field trips.
• Communicate with volunteers regarding event registration inquiries and more.
• Effectively guide volunteers and explain proper methods for potting up, weeding, pot washing, seed sowing, taking cuttings, collecting seeds, and more.
• Maintain nursery tools, gloves, and equipment in good condition.
• Become knowledgeable about the native plants, animals, and histories of San Bruno Mountain. Share this knowledge with program participants.

Plant Propagation

• Collect seeds and cuttings from the mountain.
• Properly report collection activities within the guidelines of our collection permit.
• Clean and process seeds and cuttings.
• Implement seed treatments such as stratification, scarification, and more.
• Prepare potting soil mixes and seeding soil mixes. Perform heat treatment of soil mixes with a “cooking and steaming” method that involves a propane burner and a large metal pot.
• Use organizational databases and records that provide guidance regarding the timing of propagation and seed collection activities in collaboration with other staff.

Plant Care

• Manually irrigate nursery plants to supplement automatic systems.
• Maintain irrigation systems and watering schedules.
• Follow Best Management Practices to prevent pests and plant diseases such as Phytophthora.
• Perform Phytophthora testing of nursery plants using pear-baiting methods in collaboration with other staff.
• Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and sanitary conditions of the nursery.
• Weed, prune, and fertilize nursery stock to maintain plant health and aesthetics.
• Sanitize tables, pots, structures, and other equipment to prevent plant pathogens.

Data Collection

• Maintain the accuracy of plant inventories and propagation records in coordination with nursery volunteers and other staff.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of staff and volunteer hours.

Plant Sales

• Help plan and prepare for quarterly public plant sales and contracted plant grows.
• Provide customer service and work as a cashier at quarterly plant sales using a point-of-sale system.
• Prepare plants and invoices for plant pick-up appointments.

Ecological Restoration & Education Activities 

Community-Based Ecological Restoration

• Work with team members to prepare for and co-lead ecological restoration volunteer workdays on weekdays and weekends.
• Effectively guide volunteers and explain proper restoration methods for planting, direct seeding, weeding, and more.

Staff Field Work Separate from Public Workdays

• Perform native plant revegetation and maintenance on San Bruno Mountain alongside other staff.
• Irrigate restoration plantings at field sites.
• Perform invasive plant removal on San Bruno Mountain with hand tools and power tools (string trimmers).

Field Trips for Schools and Service-Learning Events

• Work with team members to lead school field trips to San Bruno Mountain and the Mission Blue Nursery.

Development of Educational Materials 

• Assist with the development of curriculum and interpretive materials in print and digital formats.

Publicity and Community Outreach

• Assist with newsletter articles and digital outreach.
• Represent the organization at community outreach events.

Requirements

• Communicate effectively and with kindness.
• Connect with and work harmoniously with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Follow written and oral instructions as well as policies relevant to performing work safely and effectively while using the appropriate tools and personal protective equipment.
• Work independently with guidance.
• Perform digital tasks with devices and platforms like computers, mobile devices, cameras, and mobile applications.
• Utilize Google Workspace, Slack communications, and task management software.
• Relevant experience with nurseries, horticulture, or ecological restoration.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license. You will be driving our organization’s truck.

Physical Working Conditions 

• Activities are outdoors in variable and challenging weather conditions.
• Work involves strenuous nursery, restoration, and seed collection tasks that require periods of hiking, standing, kneeling, and lifting.
• Work involves carrying up to 40 pounds.

San Bruno Mountain Watch is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.