STRAW Nursery Technician

About the role

The Nursery Technician works closely with STRAW Staff, volunteers, Educators, Apprentices and program staff to implement and maintain multiple native plant nurseries across Marin and Sonoma Counties. The Nursery Technician may lead the nursery work of Technicians, Apprentices and volunteers and will teach lessons and operate various equipment.

Essential Functions

• Nursery Support: 75%
• Assist with planning and implementing nursery operations, including ordering and staging supplies, and communicating and coordinating with teachers and project partners.
• Assist native plant nursery maintenance and operations in multiple locations – including irrigation checks, improvements to the grounds, capital improvements, etc.
• Conduct seed collection for a wide selection of species across varied habitat types while observing stipulations of seed collection permits, best management practices and ethics.
• Perform propagation tasks for a wide range of native species including cuttings, seed treatments, sowing seeds, transplanting or rooted cuttings, layout field crop beds, and potting/re-potting plants.
• Follow Best Management Practices for Phytophthora and other plant pathogen prevention.
• Assist in plant watering including irrigation and back up watering systems.
• Maintain and communicate accurate records of seed and plant inventory with tracking numbers.
• Communicate effectively with a dynamic team including collaborating with Education staff, leading Interns, with instruction from Project Managers.
• Drive vehicles owned by Point Blue (e.g. trucks, tow trailers, all terrain vehicles) from Point Blue office and/or storage facilities to project sites.
• Operate mechanical tools and equipment such as weed whackers and small engines.
• Observe safe work methods and appropriate use of related safety equipment.
• Mentor, lead and provide technical direction to a crew of interns, apprentices, and technicians including leading field work and coordinating with Project Managers to plan daily tasks and supplies needed.
• Lead volunteers including school groups, and other volunteers at various nurseries in a variety of nursery tasks while ensuring the safety of all participants and a high quality of work.
• Education Support: 20%
• Attend and help lead Restoration Days with students, adult chaperones, and teachers throughout the Bay Area and occasionally the Northern Sierra region, and student and volunteer nursery workdays.
• Build relationships with STRAW teachers, aid them with resources, ideas, and development of relevant lessons.
• Support with in-classroom pre-restoration education lessons and provide feedback on lesson plan activities.
• Other Duties as Assigned: 5%
• Perform other duties, projects and research as assigned.
• Attend restoration-related synergistic meetings and build relationships with local project partnerships and support restoration education and efforts regionally.
• Support vehicle, storage facility, and tool logistics.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Familiar with ecological restoration work, including physically demanding field work.
• Familiar with California native plants (identification, propagation, conservation).
• Familiar with Phytophthora best management practices.
• Familiar with basic and general nursery operations.
• Adept at teaching and engaging K-12 students and other public audiences.
• Desire to acquire knowledge of ecosystem processes, terminology, scientific research methods and techniques involved in ecosystem conservation and management.
• Openness to feedback, sharing knowledge and skills, and hearing new perspectives.
• A strong sense of self awareness and the willingness to engage in reflective practice.
• Strengths in problem solving and troubleshooting challenges.
• Work respectfully on private and public property.
• Work in both a team setting and individually.
• Lead small teams of people in the nursery.
• Listen carefully and execute detailed instructions.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office and Google Suite, including spreadsheets, word processing, and email applications.
• Communicate and interact effectively with people across cultures, ethnic groups, and identities.
• Practice self awareness and respect while engaging with people of all backgrounds and ages.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Any combination of education, experience and training that is equivalent to a minimum of 2 years of experience including, but not limited to:
• natural resource management, habitat restoration, natural sciences, horticulture, biology, ecology, restoration, botany, agronomy, agriculture, wildlife management, small engine repair, mechanics, engineering, hydrology, irrigation, landscaping, traditional ecological knowledge or related work.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• The position is based out of Point Blue facilities located in Petaluma, California.
• Ability to travel between native plant nurseries that are spread between Marin and Sonoma County
• This position operates at remote field locations with uneven terrain, limited vehicle access, limited cell phone reception, and sometimes in a solitary capacity.
• Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions such as rain, heat, wind, and cold temperatures.
• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, walk and perform other physical activities.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and complete strenuous physical tasks.

Position Type, Expected Hours of Work, and Travel

This position is full time, non-exempt. The schedule will vary according to the season but generally it is 8 hours per day, Monday - Friday, with some overtime and weekend work possible. Occasional travel and overnight stays may be required for this position. Advanced notice will be given.