Native Plant Nursery Manager

Save The Bay is the largest and oldest membership organization working exclusively to restore and protect the San Francisco Bay area's sensitive Bay habitats. Save The Bay wages and wins effective advocacy campaigns to protect the Bay from pollution and urban sprawl, and is leading the regional effort to ensure the restoration of 100,000 acres of tidal wetlands around San Francisco Bay by 2020. Scientists recommend that this amount of wetland habitat is necessary to sustain a healthy San Francisco Bay ecosystem, the largest estuary on the West Coast.

Over the last decade, extensive progress has been made to achieve this goal. In addition to 40,000 acres of tidal wetlands that already exists, 36,000 acres of land is being planned for restoration, including the ground breaking South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project, which is the largest restoration project on the West Coast.

Save The Bay advises and consults on large-scale Bay wetland restoration projects and partners with federal, state and local agencies to restore habitat around the Bay. Since the restoration program's inception in 2000, Save The Bay has developed and refined best practices for transition zone restoration, native plant propagation and invasive plant removal.

To achieve restoration targets and accommodate restoration activities, Save The Bay operates two native plant nurseries where we grow up to 30,000 plants every year. Save The Bay's habitat restoration program enjoys regional prominence and a national reputation for results, annually engaging thousands of Bay Area residents, students and businesses in on-the-ground restoration work. Working with 50,000 volunteers, we have restored and maintained 100 acres of vital wetland habitat and planted more than 100,000 plants.

Position Overview:

The Nursery Manager is responsible for managing Save The Bay's two native plant nurseries, located in Oakland and Palo Alto, where we propagate more than 30,000 native wetland and adjacent upland plant seedlings annually.

The Nursery Manager reports to the Habitat Restoration Director and works closely with Restoration Projects Manager, other Save The Bay staff and landowning site partners.

Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of native plant propagation, all nursery operations and maintenance, including weed control, irrigation and other tasks.
• Maintain healthy plants and a clean nursery environment.
• Lead volunteers and Save The Bay staff in nursery activities and restoration field projects, including construction projects as needed.
• Select native plant palette with 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.
• Maintain demonstration gardens at each nursery.
• Maintain detailed records of nursery activities, including comprehensive database of species information.
• Maintain clear communication with land owners at nursery sites.
• Plan clear schedule of activities, attend staff quarterly site meetings, communicate weekly logistics and reporting of nursery activities.
• 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.
• Manage and maintain nursery field equipment, purchase necessary materials and supplies.
• Develop strategies and partnerships for nursery space expansion, as needed.
• Assist with restoration site monitoring and data analysis.
• Participate in staff observations and trainings.
• Write monthly nursery installment of Save The Bay blog.
• 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 management experience, preferably with tidal wetland species
• 2-3 years experience in habitat restoration planning and implementation, site-stewardship programs, and community-based restoration. Teaching experience is a plus.
• 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 independently for varied lengths of time.
• Detail-oriented with a high degree of reliability in managing 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).
• Flexibility to work occasional weekends.
• 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: Salary Mid 30's to low 40's, depending upon experience plus excellent benefits.

To Apply:  

Please email or mail resume and cover letter with the subject line: Nursery Manager search.  This position is open until filled.

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

Women and people of color are encouraged to apply. EOE