What are the responsibilities and job description for the Coordinator, RGV Nursery Operations position at American Forests?
Department: Forest Restoration
Reports To: Manager, RGV Nursery Operations
Location: Rio Grande Valley of Texas (Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr & Willacy Counties)
FLSA Category: Non-Exempt
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
ABOUT US
American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to wilderness, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for nearly 150 years.
American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.
POSITION SUMMARY
Texas’ Lower Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is an ecological convergence of coastal, desert, and tropical influences amidst a vibrant frontera community of more than 2.5 million residents on the US-Mexico border. The Valley’s native subtropical thornforests are one of the most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems in North America with over 300 butterfly species recorded within the 4-county area (for reference this is 60% of the total butterfly species found in the entire US) and similarly, at over 500 bird species, the region’s reputation as a hotspot for avian diversity has been widely acclaimed for generations. Unfortunately, more than 90% of this habitat has been lost in the past century to agricultural and, increasingly, urban development. To stem this loss American Forests has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the past 25 years to replant over 2 million seedlings on national wildlife refuge lands. However, to address the increasing number and complexity of ecosystem threats, our regional conservation focus has evolved to include coalition-building with the establishment of the Thornforest Conservation Partnership (TCP) in 2019, development of a climate-resilience strategy to guide thornforest habitat restoration and joint creation of the Thornforest Conservation Plan, the TCP’s science-based vision for scaling restoration in the Valley.
American Forests’ footprint in South Texas has also recently expanded into turnkey, project-based restoration on public lands, reforestation pipeline development (e.g., seed collection from 30 species), environmental literacy programming for underserved residents and community forest development with local governments. In consideration of the region’s unique conservation challenges, we believe that innovating at the intersection of these programmatic cornerstones will advance both ecological and community resilience in the Valley for generations to come.
The Coordinator, RGV Nursery Operations is a full-time, permanent position that will be responsible for conducting reforestation seedling production in the Valley. This individual will advance conservation of an imperiled ecosystem through day-to-day, on-site duties at a regional nursery facility. This position will receive support and supervision from American Forests’ regional, Texas-based staff and partner guidance from USFWS staff based at the South Texas National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
Nursery Seedling Production and Facilities Maintenance (80%)
- Alongside Manager, RGV Nursery Operations and other supporting American Forests staff, develop a systematic workflow and division of labor aimed at producing thornforest seedling plant materials to meet annual restoration goals on national wildlife refuge lands in South Texas
- Assist in seed germination activities, including but not limited to the use of the following techniques: paper towel, scarification and stratification
- Perform daily seedling care activities including but not limited to: hand planting, hand watering, fertilization, hardening off, shade cloth adjustments, overhead irrigation, pruning, transplanting, seedling inventory and in-facility transport of seedling crates
- Inventory production supplies on a continuing basis, including but not limited to: commercial germination mixes, plant bands, growing mediums, packing crates and germination aides
- Assist in seasonal, pre-production activities including but not limited to: plant band setup, band packing and pre-watering
- Assist in seasonal, pre-outplanting activities including but not limited to: in-facility crate mixing, loading trailer transports, trailer transport to restoration sites and setup/break-down of mixing tables at restoration sites as needed
- Perform basic nursery facility maintenance activities including but not limited to: bench component replacements, irrigation infrastructure, herbicide application and recurrent mowing/string trimming
- Alongside Manager, RGV Nursery Operations, coordinate seasonal contract grower seedling deliveries to in-house nursery staging facilities
- Coordinate nursery assistance opportunities with Student Conservation Association (SCA) teams, community volunteers and student interns as needed
- Ensure performance of all tasks in accordance with safety policies (federal and organizational), including use of facilities and equipment safely and respectfully
Outplanting Activities (10%)
- Assist with seasonal outplanting activities, including coordination with subcontractee planting crews, planting inspections and other duties as assigned
Seed Collection (10%)
- Assist with periodic wild seed collection, seed processing and storage activities throughout the year
QUALIFICATIONS
While we do not expect any one candidate to possess all of these qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal skills and qualities:
- Minimum of 1-2 years of relevant experience, including: working in a plant nursery or other agricultural/forestry production environment under progressively higher levels of responsibility
- Impact-driven, self-motivated quality with strong time management and organizational skills and the ability to meet recurring deadlines
- The capacity to build and maintain relationships with USFWS staff, service subcontractors, and volunteers, and to work effectively in a larger American Forests team environment, both regionally and nationally
- Prior experience with hand tools, power tools, basic facilities maintenance and seed germination techniques
- Current applicator license or ability to obtain applicator license within 6 months and maintain through annual re-certification via CEUs
LOCATION & WORKING CONDITIONS
This position is based at the USFWS Marinoff Nursery Facility located south of Pharr, TX and will require residence in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, or Willacy County. American Forests is headquartered in Washington DC and occasional travel to DC may be necessary.
Normal work hours will take place from approximately 8am – 5pm, Monday through Friday with the additional expectation of a rotating assignment to weekend seedling care activities as seasonally necessary. American Forests will provide an office space at the Marinoff Nursery for daily use. Personal vehicle use will be required with mileage reimbursement made by American Forests. Work will be performed in a combination of nursery facility (90%) and office settings (10%). The nursery facilities include both open-air sheds and outdoor areas. Exposure to hot, cold, and wet conditions are to be expected in outdoor areas. Utilization of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be required to mitigate exposure to pesticides (seed/seedling treatments) and herbicides (e.g., facilities maintenance) in the nursery environment. The ability to lift up to 25lbs is required.
Subject to applicable laws, American Forests requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. We will consider requests for accommodation to this vaccination requirement during the recruiting process. Any requested accommodation(s) must be reviewed and approved (if applicable) in advance of your start date.
SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS
This position has no supervisory requirement.
American Forests is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.
Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/LGBTQ