Job Opportunities:
Native Seed Farm Production Specialist
&
Native Seed Farm Crew Member
About CNLM
CNLM is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, created in 1990, whose mission is the
perpetual stewardship of natural and created conservation lands, sensitive species, and
their resident ecosystems. Conservation stewardship activities are practiced on
preserves in California, Oregon, and Washington. CNLM currently has a preserve
portfolio of over 100 preserves that combined represent more than 75,000 acres of high
conservation value.
The majority (>90) of CNLM’s preserves are in California, encompassing over 70,000
acres throughout the state, with new preserves added intermittently. The preserves
vary in size from three to thousands of acres and are managed under direct ownership,
conservation easements, or management contracts. For purposes of organizational
structure and oversight, CNLM’s California preserves are organized into (currently five)
regions: Northern California, Central California, South Coast, Riverside County, and
San Diego County.
Central to CNLM’s mission and fundamental to its success are the principles of rigorous
cost estimation for managing conservation areas in perpetuity and application of
appropriate scientific information for conservation and restoration. CNLM staff
developed the iconic “PAR” software and made it available (now through subscription to
the app) to the conservation community to assist with determination of perpetual
stewardship costs. Financial support for CNLM’s conservation activities is primarily
acquired from earnings on investments (endowments) that are professionally managed.
Conservation properties are typically acquired through mitigation processes. As such,
the properties have been well vetted for conservation value and are accompanied by
perpetual stewardship funding. In addition to its fee title properties, CNLM monitors and
defends conservation easements it has been granted over many properties and works
collaboratively with natural resource regulatory agencies to protect and maintain
conservation values.
CNLM is culturally significant in its focus on rare and vulnerable species, small
populations, and sensitive habitats. Such responsibilities require stewardship staff with
a strong background in natural sciences, the ability to apply principles from conservation
biology with experienced discretion, and a passion for contributing to conservation
success through long-term, on-the-ground, management. To fulfill its conservation
mission, CNLM has a well-established practice of selecting for and investing in excellent
staff.
Given the dispersed nature of its preserves throughout California, and in Washington
and Oregon, almost all CNLM staff work from home offices—accessing and posting
information in a cloud-based system and maintaining core culture through virtual and inperson (when possible) meetings. CNLM currently maintains a small administrative
office in Temecula, California.
CNLM offers competitive salary, paid vacation and sick time, and other financial
benefits. Most importantly, we offer the opportunity to work with a team of talented and
committed conservation professionals and to achieve a legacy of substantial
conservation impact.
Job Opportunities:
Native Seed Farm Production Specialist – Thurston County, Washington
Reports to: Nursery Program Supervisor
Location: Thurston County, Washington
Type: Permanent Full-time (1.0 FTE): Non-exempt
Compensation: Entry Range $22.54 – $24.79 DOE; with benefits
Position Description click, here
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in the establishment, maintenance, and harvest of native plants fields needed for seed production
- Operate machinery such as combines, tractors, seed cleaning machines and small engines
for seed harvest, seed cleaning and field cultivation
- Assist with development and improvement of farming methods and seed production techniques
- Maintain equipment including tools, small engine general maintenance, and regular tractor
and vehicle service checks
- Lead and participate in daily activities at assigned farm sites including production, facility maintenance
- Monitor state of farmed plants, working with manager to coordinate production priorities
- Assist in farm infrastructure management such as greenhouse, irrigation, and facilities
maintenance
- Fulfill other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor of Science (or Arts) degree in Agriculture, horticulture, Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Ecology, Botany, Conservation Biology, or related field, or compelling evidence of equivalent experience and self-education
- General knowledge and experience operating power equipment and driving large vehicles including trucks and tractors and specialized machinery, on the job training for specific implements will be provided
- At least two years’ experience with farming and restoration practices, preferably with native plants, row crops, or prairie ecosystems
- Knowledge and experience working on irrigation, fencing, greenhouse repair, and other general site maintenance
- Team-oriented with social skills that foster positive crew interactions with a diversity of individuals
- Detail–oriented with impeccable record keeping skills
- Effective and professional communication skills, both written and oral; able to prepare succinct and cogent reports and plans
- Proven self-starter, able to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision, able to maintain a positive attitude through long days of outdoor physical work
- Ability to be detail-oriented while maintaining speed and efficiency and able to structure time effectively to meet deadlines
- Working knowledge of PC applications such as Microsoft Office Suite including Access
- Possession and maintenance of a valid Washington driver’s license and safe driving record
- Ability and willingness to obtain a Washington Pesticide Applicators license, become certified in First Aid and CPR
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Regularly work in seed production fields and nurseries. Hikes across, and conducts work within, native habitats and uneven ground
- Uses or oversees the use of pesticides or other chemical substances
- Uses or oversees the use of hand tools, tractors, tractor implements and combines
- Occasionally lifts, positions, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds
- Uses or oversees the use of powered equipment such as weed trimmers and chain saws
- Regularly works in inclement weather including heat, cold, wind and rain often outside all day
- This position will be exposed to high levels of dust and pollen
- Regularly sits or stands at a desk or computer workstation
- Regularly required to operate a CNLM vehicle
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Native Seed Farm Crew Member (Technician) – Thurston County, Washington
Reports to: Nursery Program Supervisor
Location: Thurston County, Washington
Type: Temporary/Seasonal Full-time; Non-exempt
Compensation: $20.07 – $22.08 hourly – DOE; with benefits
Period: March 4, 2024 – August 30, 2024
Position Description click, here
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Establish, maintain, weed, and harvest fields of native plants needed for seed production
- Assist with and conduct seed production at field scales
- Seed and maintain native plant plugs in the greenhouse
- Clean and process wild-collected and field-raised native plant seed
- Document daily activities including precise tracking of seed lots and farm labor
- Assist with development of species propagation and seed production techniques
- Fulfill other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS
- Labor crew experience. Farm labor experience highly desirable. Experience with seed production a plus
- Positive attitude through long days of outdoor physical work, regularly working outdoor in all conditions
- Comfortable operating power equipment and driving large vehicles including trucks
and tractors
- Team-oriented with social skills that foster positive crew interactions with a diversity of individuals
- Ability to be detail-oriented while maintaining speed and efficiency
- Attention to accurate record-keeping
- Possession and maintenance of a valid Washington driver’s license and safe driving record
- Ability and willingness to obtain a Washington Pesticide Applicators license and become certified in First Aid and CPR
- Familiarity with or interest in native Washington plant species
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Regularly work in seed production fields and nurseries. Hikes across, and conducts work within, native habitats and uneven ground
- Regularly works in inclement weather including heat, cold, wind and rain
- Regularly required to operate a CNLM vehicle
- Responsible for some evening and weekends including travel
- Uses or oversees the use of pesticides and or other chemical substances
- Uses or oversees the use of powered equipment such as weed trimmers and chain saws
- Occasionally lifts, positions, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Regularly kneeling, bending, and repetitive motions
The working conditions described here are representative in part of those that will
be encountered by an employee in this position. Reasonable accommodation
may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to successfully function in
these working conditions.
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TO APPLY:
Qualified applicants must provide a detailed letter of interest, current résumé, and three professional references (names, affiliations, and contact information only). All applications will be acknowledged.
Email these materials to: careers-nursery@cnlm.org
If email is not possible, the application can be mailed to:
Center for Natural Lands Management
Attention: Human Resources
27258 Via Industria, Suite B
Temecula, CA 92590
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