Nursery Lead

Grassroots Ecology is a non-profit organization with over 30 years of experience engaging and educating the community to restore local ecosystems in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. We focus on habitat restoration, increasing native plant cover, invasive plant control, creek and watershed stewardship, environmental education, and volunteer engagement. We seek a Nursery Lead to assist our Nursery Director with the operation of our Accreditation to Improve Restoration (AIR) certified Native Plant Nursery at Foothills Nature Preserve.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain nursery operations to ensure high-quality plants: collect seed and cuttings, clean and sow seed, transplant seeds to pots, upsize and repot plants, steam and mix soil, sanitize plant pots
• Adhere to best management practices to reduce or eliminate Phytophthora and other problematic plant pathogens
• Oversee public retail sales: maintain digital inventory of plants for sale, communicate over phone and email with customers, prepare orders for pickup
• Conduct regular inventory of nursery stock and update nursery database using Google Workspace tools
• Assist with plant orders for Grassroots Ecology’s restoration projects and external partners
• Maintain and repair the nursery’s greenhouses, shade structures, tarping, and irrigation as needed
• Train and mentor 10 AmeriCorps members during once-a-week nursery workdays
• Assist with habitat restoration work in the open space preserve around the nursery
• Lead volunteer days and nursery tours at the Native Plant Nursery as needed
• Assist with content about the nursery for social media, website, and other public communications
• Represent Grassroots Ecology’s nursery team in working groups and convenings

Desired Qualifications

• At least 2-5 years experience working in a production nursery, preferably growing native plants for restoration
• Knowledge of California native plants, Bay Area ecosystems, and integrated pest management
• Ability to provide high-quality customer service to nursery customers in written and verbal communications
• Experience delegating tasks and leading complicated, time-sensitive projects with multiple stakeholders
• Experience with volunteer events, educational walks, and tours
• Experience developing and maintaining spreadsheets and database systems for inventory management
• Self-motivated with strong time management and communication skills, positive attitude, and willingness to learn
• Ability to work outside, including in physically demanding areas and inclement weather, and ability to lift 50 pounds
• Ability to work at the nursery in Palo Alto, California five days per week
• Valid CA driver’s license with clean driving record and access to a personal vehicle
• Skills such as construction and irrigation maintenance are a plus