Term: Full time, hourly, introductory employee (90 day period before becoming regular employee), non-exempt.

Application Deadline: Position open until filled. Initial review of applications to commence around 10/7/2021. Desired start date: November 2021

 

See full details at https://www.cloudmountainfarmcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Nursery-Lead-Grower.pdf

Summary: Cloud Mountain Farm Center is a non-profit farm and education center, dedicated to providing hands-on learning opportunities to new and experienced farmers as well as home gardeners. We operate a retail nursery that serves both local and national customers via in-personal shopping and seasonal mail order. We specialize in regionally adapted fruit trees and edible fruiting woody plants, while also carrying a selection of other woody ornamentals and some perennials. We are looking for an experienced, motivated, and creative Lead Nursery Grower to coordinate propagation and field growing of our over 1,200 fruit trees, as well as greenhouse propagation and production of edible and ornamental inventory. If you have a passion for plants, propagation, and education, our nursery team would love to meet you!

Primary Responsibilities:

Plant Propagation

  • Direct grafting and propagation of nursery stock, including grapes, fruit trees, Japanese maples and specialty conifers 
  • Coordinate seasonal softwood and hardwood cutting schedule; lead cutting propagation process from sticking to potting 
  • Maintain detailed propagation records to improve protocols through meaningful, accessible data 
  • Work with Perennial Production Manager to ensure clear delineation of duties in field maintenance of propagation material (i.e. wine grapes, rootstock)
  • Manage all aspects of field-grown nursery stock from field prep to planting, care, and digging 
  • Assist in daily maintenance and health of all nursery plant material in greenhouses, can yards, fields, and retail sales space, including all aspects of water, fertility, and pest management 
  • Guide IPM plans and decisions with nursery team regarding stock plant, field, and inventory plant material

Nursery Retail 

  • Work as back-up support up to 10% of FTE in nursery retail sales (this includes order fulfillment, stocking and customer service) 
  • Collaborate with nursery team in the ongoing development of retail plant selections and inventory

Education 

  • Participate in teaching several programs through our Community Learning Workshop series as needed (Example classes: winter propagation, grafting) 
  • Engage in the Center’s culture of education where we teach the community and each other

General Responsibilities

  • Support Facilities and Operations staff in maintenance and repair of greenhouse systems and components as well as equipment required for field production

Required Skills and Qualifications 

  • Strong background in horticulture and nursery production. 
  • A degree in horticulture or related field and/or 4+ years of experience in woody plant production and maintenance 
  • Knowledge of experience with woody plant propagation and grafting techniques in field and greenhouse settings 
  • Familiarity with pest and disease control and fertility needs in both greenhouse container and field-grown plants
  • Ability to keep organized and detailed digital data utilizing Microsoft programs 
  • Experience leading small teams and managing staff to complete tasks in an efficient and effective manner 
  • Ability to lift 40 lbs. repeatedly
  • Ability to work outdoors in all weather

Preferred Skills and Qualifications 

  • Fluency or conversational skills in language other than English representative of community (i.e. Spanish, Ukrainian, Russian, Vietnamese, Punjabi) 
  • Experience operating a tractor, PTO and ground-driven equipment 
  • Pesticide Applicator’s License 
  • Familiarity with greenhouse technology and climate control systems

Compensation

This is a full time, non-exempt position, introductory position, to be compensated $18-$20 hourly depending on qualifications and experience. First year, regular full-time employees (working 40hrs/week) accrue 16 days per year of paid time off, and an individual benefit of $350 per month. The organization offers up to a 3% match SIMPLE IRA non-designated retirement plan.

To apply: Email a cover letter and resume with the contact information for three professional references to maryt@sustainableconnections.org.