Nursery Manager

Applications will only be accepted through The American Chestnut Foundation website

About The American Chestnut Foundation 

Founded in 1983, The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is a nonprofit scientific research organization headquartered in Asheville, NC, with 16 volunteer state chapters and three regional science offices located in Charlottesville VA, Griswold CT, and State College PA. The Foundation’s research farms in Meadowview, VA have 60,000+ trees planted at various stages of breeding. TACF has more than 60 formal partnerships with academia, government agencies, and private landowners and is recognized as a lead organization for tree species restoration. 94% of TACF’s research and operations funding is through private philanthropic foundations and generous individuals dedicated to the restoration of the American chestnut to the Eastern U.S. forests. 

Our Mission is to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range. 

Our Vision is a robust eastern forest returned to its splendor. 

TACF’s Values: Optimism, Patience, Science-Based Decisions, Integrity, Innovation, and Collaboration 

Position: Nursery Manager 

Meadowview Research Farms, Meadowview VA 

Full time permanent position 

Starting salary: $44,000 – $47,000 

Reporting directly to the Director of Research, the Nursery Manager is responsible for the management and continuous operational improvement of a containerized seedling nursery currently consisting of two greenhouses, two shade houses, and dormant plant and seed storage. The nursery has the capacity to grow up to 10,000 seedlings per year. The Nursery Manager will play an important role in developing and optimizing early tree quality screening methods, propagation best practices, germplasm storage and handling, and integrated pest management practices in addition to other job responsibilities listed below. 

General Responsibilities: 

• Propagation and maintenance of containerized seedlings, including pest detection and control, watering, nutrient application, soil conditioning, temperature and humidity control, and recording data related to those applications
• Coordinate with Meadowview-based and other colleagues to implement non-destructive early screening for chestnut blight resistance using genomic and other emergent techniques
• Support TACF’s Meadowview-based and Regional science staff in the collection, handling, storage, propagation, and distribution of germplasm across the American chestnut’s native range
• Record and maintain accurate data in TACF’s trees database, dentataBase
• Maintain a clean, productive, and safe environment in and around the nursery
• Recruit, train and manage volunteers for projects as needed and/or as possible
• Assist in field operations during the growing season, including planting, pest and weed control, pollination and harvest as needed
• Maintain awareness of and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations pertaining to nursery infrastructure, as well as regulated organisms
• In collaboration with the Orchard Manager, recruit and supervise one summer (8+ week) intern per year to assist with any nursery management tasks. The Nursery Manager will receive support in intern recruitment and hiring from the Director of Research and TACF administrative staff.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agriculture, botany, or related field preferred
• Experience with and passion for plant propagation, greenhouse operations, and integrated pest management (IPM)
• Excellent communicator; Willingness to search out and troubleshoot technical solutions
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently, take initiative on projects and manage a multitude of tasks and competing priorities
• Ability to learn and use dentataBase and basic office applications, including Microsoft Office
• Sufficient strength and physical dexterity to perform duties and responsibilities of this job, including heavy lifting to transport materials, use equipment, etc.

Benefits: 

As part of a competitive compensation plan, The American Chestnut Foundation currently offers a robust Health, Dental, Vision, AD&D, and Life insurance package at a reduced cost to the employee, with coverage beginning the first day of the month following the date of hire. Employees may add dependents to the group plan at their cost, and any cost is offered under a Section 125 cafeteria plan – meaning significant tax savings for the employee. Under the cafeteria plan, we also offer participation in either a pre-tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or pre-tax Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) depending on the health insurance options selected and offer a variety of optional, supplemental coverage. 

We also offer participation in a 403(b) retirement plan, with a 5% company match after two years of service. In addition to annual holiday pay, TACF offers two weeks paid vacation and ten paid sick days per year, with additional vacation time based on years of service. 

TACF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing an equal opportunity to all qualified individuals who are seeking employment, and to all current employees. TACF does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual or gender preference, veteran status, disability, pregnancy or related condition, ancestry, medical condition, physical handicap, or any other protected class or status. 

TACF is a certified living wage employer dedicated to a just and sustainable economy.