Native Plant Nursery Manager

Save The Bay is leading the regional effort to re-establish 100,000 acres of tidal marsh to provide natural habitat for Bay wildlife and to buffer against sea level rise resulting from climate change. Scientists recommend that this amount of wetland habitat is necessary to sustain a healthy San Francisco Bay ecosystem.

Save The Bay has pioneered successful restoration and enhancement of tidal marsh habitat over the past decade through our Community Based Restoration program. We use volunteers as an essential component of our strategy to implement restoration plans of federal, state and local site partners, focusing on the unique band of transition zone habitat above the mean high tide line that does not re-establish voluntarily.

Building on our demonstrated success with these methods, including growing our own native plants, the Restoration team is developing an adaptive management plan for transition zone restoration, addressing effective weed removal techniques, optimal plant and species numbers for sustainable native vegetation, maintenance regimes and methods, and efficient and economical use of volunteers.

Position Overview: 

The Nursery Manager is responsible for managing Save The Bay's 2 native plant nurseries, located in Oakland and Palo Alto, where we propagate more than 25,000 native wetland and adjacent upland plant seedlings annually. The Nursery Manager leads high quality nursery volunteer programs and contributes to Save The Bay's tidal marsh restoration techniques through scientific experiments and current best practices.

S/he is also responsible for all aspects of completion of construction and maintenance of our new greenhouse and work shed at our Palo Alto restoration site. The Nursery Manager reports to the Restoration and Science Projects Manager, and works closely with other Save The Bay Restoration Team staff and agency site partners.

Responsibilities:

Nursery Maintenance and Management:

• Maintain healthy plants and a clean nursery environment
• Develop greenhouse maintenance and propagation program
• Maintain demonstration gardens at each nursery
• Maintain detailed records of nursery activities, including comprehensive database of species information
• Maintain clear communication with landowners at nursery sites and other restoration partners
• Manage and maintain nursery field equipment, purchase necessary supplies
• Plan clear schedule of nursery activities, attend staff quarterly site meetings, communicate weekly logistics and reporting of nursery activities 

Plant Propagation and Outplanting:

• Support Restoration and Science Project Manager in all aspects of native plant propagation including weed control, irrigation and other tasks
• Select native plant palette with Restoration and Science Project Manager based on restoration site goals and best management practices
• Develop species-specific propagation techniques and methods; experiment with new ideas and stay abreast of new techniques and best practices
• Manage watershed-specific seed and cuttings collection for all restoration sites.

Community-based Ecotone Restoration:

• Provide technical advice and plant expertise to the Save The Bay Restoration Science team
• Coordinate seasonal restoration program activities with restoration team, including calendar schedule by site of native seed collection, invasive plant removal, nursery programs, and outplantings for programs
• Assist with restoration site monitoring and data analysis
• Participate in staff observations and trainings
• Lead volunteers and Save The Bay staff in nursery activities and restoration field projects
• Write monthly nursery installment of Save The Bay blog
• Develop appropriate field and nursery experiments and mentor field staff in execution
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree (B.A. or B.S.) in ecology, environmental studies, biology or related field; Master's degree desirable
• Extensive knowledge of California native plants, wetland habitats and Bay ecology
• At least 3 years nursery experience, preferably with tidal wetland species
• 2 to 3 years experience in habitat restoration planning and implementation, site-stewardship programs, and community-based restoration.
• Knowledge of plant germination without use of a greenhouse, growing habits of native plants, soil conditions, fertilization, and disease and pest control
• Passion for and commitment to Save The Bay's mission
• Ability to balance working in the office and in the field. Be self-directed and work long hours alone and flexibility to work occasional weekends
• Detail-oriented and strong ability to manage data and records using Excel
• Computer proficiency with Windows software package and Internet research applications
• Initiative, creativity, problem solving ability and collaborative work style
• Energy and enthusiasm for working with volunteers of diverse backgrounds and differing ability levels
• Clear communicator
• Physical ability to lift and carry heavy objects (up to 65 lbs)
• Own reliable vehicle or unrestricted access to a vehicle
• Must present evidence of clean driving record, proof of auto insurance, valid California's driver's license and submit to a criminal background check
• Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified (If not certified, training courses are offered frequently and partially subsidized by Save The Bay.)

Compensation: Mid 30's to mid 40's, depending upon experience, plus excellent benefits

Position begins January 17, 2011. Applications will be considered upon arrival, and interviews will be on a rolling basis.

To Apply:

Please email or mail resume and cover letter with the Subject Line: Nursery Manager Search.

Nursery Manager Search
Save The Bay
350 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 900
Oakland, Ca 94612

It is a priority to Save The Bay to recruit and retain a diverse workforce. Save The Bay is an equal opportunity employer.