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 grows native plants entirely from seeds and cuttings collected on San Bruno Mountain and provides these 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 nursery. As part of a team, the Nursery Fellow will also prepare for and host quarterly plant sales and support ecological restoration and education events on San Bruno Mountain.

This job opportunity is a part-time fellowship with the opportunity to transition into a full-time, permanent role. The preferred starting date is mid-September of 2024. The fellowship is offered on an annual basis, finishing a year after the start date; however, the Fellow may be offered a promotion to a permanent, Specialist position during or after the course of the term, depending on performance. 

Term

• Preferred Starting Date in September of 2024.
• Part-Time. 24 to 34 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 at least one Saturday per month is required.
• At-Will Employment

Compensation

$22.50 per hour 

Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, and Paid Holidays

Job Duties

Mission Blue Nursery Activities (~75% to 80% of time)

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.
• 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 when necessary to supplement automatic systems.
• Maintain irrigation system 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 (~20% to 25% of time)

Community-Based Ecological Restoration

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

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 developing curriculum and interpretive materials in print and digital formats.

Publicity and Community Outreach

• Assist with newsletter articles, blog posts, and social media posts.
• Represent the organization at community outreach events.

Requirements

• Communicate effectively.
• 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 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, social media platforms, task management software, etc.
• Familiarity with native plants and/or relevant experience with nurseries and horticulture.

Physical Working Conditions 

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

To Apply

• To apply, please:
• Email a cover letter and resumé to ariel@mountainwatch.org
• Fill out this brief linked form. https://forms.gle/RfL6rgUQDteBKt5c9
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
• Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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.