LEJ is seeking a new Nursery Manager to operate our native plant nursery that produces over 60,000 plants for community restoration projects each year. If you or someone you know has nursery experience, check out our job description and email your cover letter and resume to patrick.rump@lejyouth.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
Nursery Manager
Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ)
San Francisco, California
www.lejyouth.org
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Founded in 1998 by a coalition of youth, educators, and community leaders, LEJ is one of San Francisco’s cornerstone environmental justice organizations. Initially established to address the health inequities in the community, create more diverse representation and leadership within the environmental movement, and to help coordinate a community response to the toxic legacies exposed after the closure of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, LEJ has been a consistent presence in the community.
Over the years, LEJ’s work has addressed a range of environmental justice concerns including organizing work that led to the closure of the Hunters Point power plant, focused educational programming related to air and water quality issues, initiating a nationally recognized food insecurity program, extensive land restoration in the region, open space equity, youth leadership, and workforce development, among others. LEJ is also the party primarily responsible for the development of the EcoCenter at Heron’s Head Park, a nationally recognized, LEED Platinum Certified green building and environmental learning center, San Francisco’s first off-grid building, now under the stewardship of the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.
Located in the racially and economically diverse Bayview Hunters Point in southeast San Francisco, LEJ’s current portfolio of work seeks to advance habitat restoration, urban greening, and create more equitable access to outdoor recreation through workforce development, volunteer activities, and community engagement. To learn more about LEJ, visit us at www.lejyouth.org.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Role and Responsibilities
The Nursery Manager is responsible for meeting annual propagation and procurement goals of up to 70,000 plants for multiple projects. The Nursery Manager oversees all facets of operating and maintaining LEJ’s Nurseries (Candlestick State Park Recreational Area and Treasure Island) while managing and collaborating with staff, interns, and volunteers in these efforts. This position plays the lead in plants, services and stewardship related contract and grants management and supports the execution of multiple planting and restoration schedules in partnership with LEJ’s Plants, Services, and Stewardship Team and external partners.
Key Results Areas for position
- Nursery site(s) and plants embody excellence in professional growing standards.
- Developing, standardizing, and maintaining accessible cloud based project data of LEJ’s nursery and stewardship projects.
- Nursery provides a welcoming, inclusive, educational and healing atmosphere for multiple audiences.
- Supervise and participate in the production/ procurement of up to 50,000 native plants annually from seed, cuttings, divisions, and spores. Grow an average of 150 species per year, primarily from seed.
- Nursery staffing and expenditures are tracked and managed to insure a high net return on plant contracts to support LEJ’s ongoing organizational development and sustainability.
- Works closely with Plants, Services, and Stewardship Team to provide physical improvements, systems and cultural practices that optimizes people’s experience at the nursery.
- By utilizing the nursery and its annual production goals, lead and collaborate with LEJ staff the development of culturally relevant and accessible green collar job programming.
Crop Production
- Supervise and participate in the production of up to 50,000 native plants annually from seed, cuttings, divisions, and spores. Grow an average of 150 species per year, primarily from seed.
- Prioritize and schedule all Nursery work. Plan-for and track progress of all propagation activities, including: seed treatments, sowing, sticking, transplanting, etc., so that complete orders of healthy plants are delivered for planting on-time.
- Manage all aspects of container-plant care including proper irrigation, pruning, fertilizing, etc., for production of the highest quality plants.
- Maintain health of Nursery plants using Integrated Pest Management best practices with an emphasis on controlling nursery pathogens such as pythium and phytophthora. Oversee sanitation and hygiene practices.
- Coordinate with project staff and key partners in all aspects of propagule collection and management, including wild seed collection, processing, storage, physical inventory and record keeping. Ensure that propagule collection complies with sound ecological guidelines.
- Maintain plant inventory. Keep tracking systems and databases current.
Grant and Contract Project Development/Management
- Coordinate and regularly communicate with the Director of Stewardship Programs, Restoration Coordinator and external project managers from multiple agencies. Facilitate a smooth process for all parties, problem-solve, make adjustments, and provide project support as needed.
- Provide expertise and advise project managers on plant production timeframes, plant communities, and species choices when appropriate. Report periodically on the progress of plant production for each project.
- Supports related service contracts and grants development and execution. Supports strategic planning and development of the Native plant Nursery as a vehicle of LEJ for programmatic and organizational sustainability.
- Key team member on developing Eco-Apprentice Pilot Program as a vehicle for increasing cultural diversity and community representation in green collar career pathways.
- Serves as an ambassador of LEJ’ work by building and developing relationships with volunteers, interns and stakeholders.
Supervision and Coordination of Staff, Interns, and Volunteers
- Hire, train, supervise, and mentor LEJ’s Nursery staff. Develop a work plan and goals.
- Hire, co-supervise, and mentor interns. Train interns in all aspects of Nursery operations including plant propagation, plant after-care, special projects, volunteer management, and facilities maintenance. Hire, train, and supervise seasonal staff and crews at nursery as-needed.
- Develop; plan and train interns to lead weekday and weekend volunteer programs and additional group programs. Oversee all aspects of volunteer work and manage for quality-control of said work.
- Provide education and inspiration to volunteers about the role and importance of the Native Plant Nursery in the restoration process and urban greening process. Strive to provide a high-quality experience for all participating community members.
- Working with LEJ’s Nursery Operations staff to model safe practices at all times. Offer regular training in safe practices and ensure that those under supervision are working safely at all times.
- Coordinate with LEJ program staff and interns the planning for age-appropriate activities, and delivering relevant, high-quality Nursery education programs.
Facilities and Equipment Maintenance
- Work with Nursery Operations staff and interns to manage and maintain all Nursery facilities and structures including: seed processing and storage room, community garden and perimeter landscape, greenhouses, shade house, growing annexes, storage areas, office spaces, demonstration gardens, and volunteer gathering spaces.
- Works with Nursery Operations staff and interns to regulate, and troubleshoot environmental controls and irrigation systems.
- Works with the Director of Stewardship Programs and Nursery Operations staff to identify, propose, and plan for infrastructure and facilities improvements. Work with the LEJ team to develop a budget and plan for construction. Manage progress of construction and impact on Nursery activities.
- Coordinate repair of utilities as well as structures and systems. Oversee contractors as needed.
- Manage maintenance of all Nursery tools and equipment, including hand tools, power tools, and equipment associated with seed cleaning, processing, and storage.
- Works with Nursery Operations staff to ensure a safe and efficient work environment in all facilities at all times. Oversee monthly safety inspections of work areas.
- Works with Nursery and Operations staff to maintain up-to-date Nursery Safety Manual, chemical/material inventories, Safety Data Sheets, and other safety documentation.
Administration and Budget Management
- Creates, operates and maintains a Director of Stewardship approved annual work plan for the scope of work.
- Nursery purchasing within budget limits, accurately tracking expenses and providing supporting documentation.
- Ensure that accurate and comprehensive records, contract reporting and documentation, including propagation activities, labor records, crop notes, and final inventories are entered into the Nursery Database and LEJ’s reporting systems in a timely manner.
Organizational Support 10%
- Fully engages and participants in org wide development and professional development opportunities.
- Serves as an ambassador to LEJ’s mission and programs and participates in active networking and stakeholder engagement. Seeks relevant outreach opportunities to further LEJ’s work.
- Keeps calendar updated and maintains quick reply to emails, calls and texts on a daily basis.
Schedule– 5 days a week. LEJ’s general schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Special Events– Supports LEJ special events such corporate workdays, seasonal youth crews, Coastal Clean-up day, Earth day events and other special events as they come along and support is needed.
Qualifications
- Commitment to LEJ’s mission and work. Mission driven growth mindset, and commitment to lifelong learning
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
- A minimum of 3 years of Native Plant Nursery management, operations and supervision of staff.
- Hard working and comfortable with physical labor and working outdoors in inclement weather.
- Excellent writing and communication skills.
- Google suite, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and PDF creation or modification.
- Meticulous attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and project management.
- Ability to project manage multiple tasks under deadline pressure.
- Ability to work independently and in a collaborative setting.
- Willingness to learn from mistakes, receive feedback, and give feedback to others.
- Willingness to propose and implement new ideas.
- Commitment to building a culture of mutual accountability, inclusiveness, and respect.
Local (San Francisco Bay Area) candidates only. This full-time position working at our SF headquarters located in Bayview Hunters Point and satellite operation at Treasure Island.
Compensation and Benefits
This is an outstanding opportunity to contribute to a highly effective nonprofit Urban Greening Team. Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) matching plan, life insurance and paid vacation and sick leave per year.
To Apply: Email cover letter and resume to patrick.rump@lejyouth.org