Nursery and Wildfire Resilience Coordinator

North East Trees is a community-based, non-profit organization that helps heal environmental injustice through urban forestry, nature-based design-build projects, habitat restoration, and workforce development. Our work in underinvested communities in Los Angeles County helps to build climate resiliency through stewardship, planting, design, and community engagement.

Job Title: Nursery and Wildfire Resilience Coordinator

Reports to: Director of Design & Construction

Supervises: N/A

Status: Fulltime, Hourly, Nonexempt

Salary: $28 - $32 per Hour ($58,240 - $66,560 Annually)

Benefits: 12 Paid Holidays, Health & Dental Ins., Personal Leave, and Vacation, in accordance with NET’s Benefits Policies

Position Overview

NET needs a leader to oversee the full spectrum of nursery operations and open space conservation. The Nursery and Wildfire Resilience Coordinator (NWRC) works with and under the Design and Construction Department leadership and oversees NET’s nursery operations while ensuring efficient plant production and resource optimization. This important member of NET’s Ascot Hills Park Native Plant Nursery Team leads nursery events, workshops, and volunteer programs and represents the organization at meetings to further its mission. The work of NET’s NWRC positively impacts habitat restoration and urban forestry efforts in Los Angeles.

Responsibilities

Operational Oversight:

• Supervises nursery operations, ensuring the production of high-quality native plants for restoration and construction projects.

• Oversees plant propagation, greenhouse management, and transplanting processes to maximize plant health and viability.

• Develops and implements plant production schedules aligned with project timelines and community planting needs.

• Monitors and optimizes irrigation, soil quality, and pest management using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.

• Oversees nursery infrastructure, equipment, and supply inventory to support seamless operations.

• Procures necessary materials and supervises maintenance and repairs.

• Implement best practices for nursery workflow efficiency and plant care standards.

• Integrate land conservation practices into all aspects of North East Trees including soil health, water conservation, native plant restoration, and wildlife habitat enhancement.

Data Tracking & Reporting:

• Maintains comprehensive records of nursery activities, including:

• Plant Production Tracking: Monitor growth phases, seedling success rates, and plant survival rates.

• Seed Collection and Tracking: seed collection and documentation of species, collection sites, viability, and storage details.

• Supply & Inventory Oversight: Track usage and replenish essential nursery supplies.

• Monthly Reports: Provide summaries on plant production progress, nursery performance, and impact on project milestones.

• Community Engagement: Record attendance, feedback, and outcomes from events, workshops, and volunteer programs.

• Budgeting & Financials: Prepare and oversee annual nursery budgets and grant-related financials.

• Restoration Impact Assessment: Track plant distribution to project sites and assess survival and integration into restoration areas.

Community Engagement & Education:

• Organizes and leads volunteer programs, workshops, and educational activities.

• Develops and facilitates nursery-based community engagement initiatives in alignment with NET’s mission.

• Establishes and maintains relationships with community-based organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions to support nursery and restoration efforts.

• Provides hands-on training and mentorship for program participants, volunteers, and interns to enhance skills in native plant care and ecological restoration.

• Coordinate interpretive walks.

Collaboration & Leadership:

• Works closely with the Construction & Restoration Manger, project managers, and crew supervisors to align propagation schedules with project timelines.

• Provides detailed recommendations regarding plant selections to support NET’s restoration and design initiatives.

• Attends virtual and in-person meetings with internal teams and external partners as required.

• Fosters collaboration between nursery operations and restoration field crews to optimize plant use and project success.

• Foster a culture of collaboration that incorporates both horticultural expertise and environmental stewardship.

• Support wildfire resilience and conservation efforts by leading our native plant nursery, habitat restoration, and invasive species management across North East Trees’ project sites.

Qualifications/Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Ecological Restoration, Agricultural Greenhouse Operations, or a related field

• At least 2 years of experience in managing nurseries, public gardens, conservation projects, or similar landscapes.

• A visionary leader, balancing strategy with hands-on execution.

• Strong knowledge of Los Angeles native plant species, seed collection, and propagation techniques following ANSI Z60.1 nursery standards.

• Understanding of irrigation management, soil health monitoring, and basic plumbing for nursery operations.

• Understanding of land conservation principles, sustainable land management, wildfire resilience and ecological restoration.

• Comfortable communicating with the public, writing content for publications, and collaborating with conservation groups, local organizations, and external partners.

• Experience supervising nursery operations and leading teams in plant production and restoration efforts.

• Ability to work independently with strong organizational and time management skills.

• Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish is preferred.

• Experience engaging volunteers, interns and particularly youth in nursery operations.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate NET vehicles as needed.

• Flexibility and adaptability in dynamic work environments.

• Strong safety-minded acumen and sensibilities

• This work in primarily outdoors, only individuals who will be comfortable and resilient working in varying weather conditions should apply

• Additionally, heavy lifting/moving, up to 50 lbs. unassisted, physical labor, including extended standing, bending, or kneeling, and navigating uneven terrain for activities like seed collection and interpretive walks are necessary

To be considered: Email your Cover Letter and Resume to hr@northeasttrees.org

Salary : $58,240 - $66,560