Nursery Production Leader

Humming Bee Nursery is a small, certified organic nursery that specializes in locally adapted and heirloom vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs, and pollinator-friendly flowering plants. We are dedicated to offering healthy, vibrant starts for our wholesale buyers and gardeners that will easily thrive in Willamette Valley gardens. We are also committed to creating a workplace that is safe, inclusive, and rewarding. We are entering our sixth year of business and have been expanding rapidly in our new location in Corvallis. As we grow, we’re looking for one special person to lead much of the hands-on production during the growing season. Responsibilities: -Execute weekly planting plan by coordinating with other staff to fill pots and trays with potting soil, seed, and pot up plants. -Occasionally adapt planting plan in response to time constraints, increased demand, seed supply, etc. -Help retrain returning staff and train new staff in all production practices, including optimally efficient techniques and work flow -Tend seedlings by thinning plug trays, pricking and filling trays, pinching and pruning plants, and scouting for pests and diseases on a weekly basis -Manage watering carefully, adapting to weather and day length -Coordinate sales order preparation by guiding staff in organizing trays, labeling pots for sale, checking for quality, and moving trays to harden off and load into delivery vehicle -Inventory plants for next week’s sales. Occasionally help create availability sheet and send to buyers, receive and track orders over the weekend -Act as the primary quality control person - fix issues before any plants go out for sale and hold back plants if not up to standards -Track any waste or donations and properly handle unsold plants -Maintain sanitary conditions in nursery with weekly cleaning tasks -Scout and treat for pests and diseases as appropriate -Scout for and remedy fertility issues as appropriate -Occasional work in our nursery stock and seed fields including weeding, fertilizing, harvesting, pruning, planting, and more -Communicate closely with owner to ensure operations are running smoothly, staff are well trained and content, and management tasks are shared cohesively Desired attributes: -At least 3 years experience working on a vegetable farm, flower farm, and/or greenhouse nursery, including regular greenhouse propagation work -Experience coordinating diverse tasks among a group of people, working as part of a team, and fostering a positive work environment -Knowledge (through education and/or work experience) of botany, plant pathology, and plant propagation -Familiarity with Google Sheets, ability to interpret and edit extensive spreadsheets, and ability to work at a computer for short periods of time -Knowledge and experience propagating and growing native plants, medicinal herbs, edible shrubs, and/or heirloom vegetables - including seeding and potting up at scale Ideally, experience using power tools to build and modify wooden and metal structures -Familiarity with and commitment to organic growing techniques -Enthusiasm for hard work and completing projects efficiently -Clear and open communication style, ability to give and receive feedback regularly -Ability to lift and carry 60 lbs, squat and kneel for long periods of time, stand for long periods of time, work delicately with small plants -Keen attention to detail and willingness to tune hands and eyes to the diverse needs of seedlings Schedule: This position is designed to meet the very increased demand for plants in the spring: Start mid January: 3 days/week (20-24 hrs) February: 3-4 days/week (22-32 hrs) March-August: 5 days/week with occasional weekend watering (40-48 hrs/week) September-October: 2-3 days/week (14-24 hrs) Potential for some work past October depending on infrastructure needs Compensation: $23-25 DOE with potential for pay increase in summer Extra plants, cuttings, herbs, and produce whenever available $20/month cell phone stipend to support administrative tasks on personal phone 5 days (40 hours) PTO available Jan-Feb and July-October, with further unpaid time off negotiable during those months Traditionally we give an end of season bonus based on performance