[PCA] JOB: Nursery Technician

[Nursery]

JOB OPENING: Nursery Technician on Catalina Island
                          Santa Catalina Island Conservancy

POSITION BEGINS: as soon as filled

REPORTS TO: Native Plant Nursery Manager

SUMMARY: Assists in the maintenance and operation of the Conservancy's James H. Ackerman Native Plant Nursery. This facility is responsible for producing all plant and seed material used in the Conservancy's restoration projects. Currently, the nursery inventory consists of 21,000 container plants representing 85 different species. Future inventory levels will consist of 35,000 to 50,000 container plants representing a similar number of species. This position requires a wide range of skills including horticultural abilities, technical documentation, fieldwork, equipment care and maintenance, and occasional educational outreach.

Responsibilities include a combination of nursery, field, and office work. Work may be performed independently or in a team. The Nursery Technician may supervise numerous volunteers; position also entails working with occasional interns, and other Conservancy staff as needed. The Native Plant Technician works closely and collaboratively with the Native Plant Nursery Manager. 


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Propagation: Includes sowing, transplanting, divisions, layering and taking cuttings of selected species.  Technician will collaborate with manager to determine proper techniques, timing exposure, needed pretreatments, appropriate container usage, or any other specialized requirements.  Technician will plan, schedule and implement above on a seasonal basis with support from manager.  Regularly update manager on assessments of successes (or failures) and suggest improvements.

2. Soils Management: Maintain proper media usage, which may include use of one or more potting mixes to ensure a balance of water holding capacity and drainage.  Soil sterilization, compost production, additional amendments and/or inocculants may be incorporated as needed.  Technician responsible for monitoring, tracking, and maintaining good soil health.

3. Horticultural Maintenance: Ensure appropriate irrigation, weeding, pruning, sanitation, and pest control of all nursery stock.  Technician will monitor and adjust proper spacing, air circulation, and sun/shade exposure in coordination with manager.  Additional tasks will include periodic movement of nursery can stock and generation of regular horticultural reports.

4. Field Installation & Maintenance: Participate with Conservancy staff and Volunteers in field installations utilizing nursery-grown container or bare-root stock, seed, or other propagules.  Associated tasks may include: quality control checks of plant material, demonstrations of proper planting techniques, and installation of hardscape structures (e.g. fences, irrigation).  Aftercare and site maintenance may include watering, weeding, mulching, replacement planting, or periodic disease and mortality checks.

5. Facilities Maintenance: Regularly check and ensure equipment and facilities remain clean and in good working order.  Requires working knowledge of safe tool use and ability to demonstrate techniques to others.  Groundskeeping maintenance to include weed control, pruning, and washing of structures.  May also include light construction, repair work, and painting as needed. 

6. Administrative:  Assist in tracking and organizing regular nursery paperwork and relevant restoration projects.  Includes maintaining written and electronic files; documenting survival rate, climate, and morphological data; and may include researching various nursery-related topics.  Technician will also participate in department and staff meetings, and work closely with manager to ensure efficient, streamlined nursery processes. 

7. Education and Outreach: Occasionally interface with community and visitors to represent the Conservancy and the Nursery, fulfill general request for information, give nursery tours, and provide basic horticultural knowledge.

8. Occasionally perform duties of other NPN Staff.

9. Perform other duties as directed by the Native Plant Nursery Manager. 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. An ideal candidate will possess a substantial combination of all these requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION: Associates (2 year certification) in horticulture, botany, or the equivalent from an accredited institution or a combination of education and professional nursery work in any of the above disciplines is acceptable. B.A. or B.S. preferable.  A knowledge of ecological restoration principles is beneficial. 

EXPERIENCE: At least two years working at a nursery with a production of at least 15,000 container plants. Must include propagation, care, and pest control experience. Preference given to candidates experienced in working with California natives or plants requiring a Mediterranean climate. Experience working safely with hand and power tools including pruners, loppers, saws, chippers, chainsaws, shovels, and hoes. Ability to work with and supervise volunteers necessary. 

TECHNICIAL SKILLS: Must have a working knowledge of a wide variety of plant species including grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees. Must be computer literate and able to utilize Windows computer software (MS Word, MS Access, MS Excel). Familiarity with GPS/GIS software (ArcView) a plus. Employee must hold a valid California driver's license and be able to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles over rough terrain and unimproved roads. Ability to drive a standard (stick) transmission desirable. Additional skills in photography and CPR/first aid appreciated. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Position involves functioning in nursery, field, and office environments. Field and nursery work involves manual labor with occasional hiking over rugged terrain. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The office and nursery environments have moderate noise levels and are non-smoking areas. Field conditions are strongly weather dependent and may be hot, dusty, cold, muddy, and/or wet depending on season and the degree of exposure (although conditions are usually nice). Work may be conducted independently or with groups of staff and volunteers.

Must be willing to live and work on Catalina

SALARY LEVEL: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a full time, non-exempt position and the preferred hiring salary range is $12.00/hour to $14.00/hour. Competitive (non-profit) benefits package may include group medical and hospital insurance, group life insurance, sick leave, vacation leave, worker's compensation insurance, unemployment compensation, and/or state disability insurance. Weekend work may be required. 

TO APPLY: Submit cover letter of intent to apply (limit 1 page) and resume (limit 3 pages). Position begins as soon as filled. The most highly-qualified candidates will interview on Santa Catalina Island. Further details can be provided by contacting:

Michael Herrera, 
Native Plant Nursery Manager		
Santa Catalina Island Conservancy				
P.O. Box 2739					
Avalon, CA 90704-2739 
mherrera at catalinaconservancy.org (e-mail)
(310) 510-2904 voice
(310) 510-3157 fax