Apply

Description

National Forest Foundation is pleased to offer a 2-year term position for 3 regular, full-time, non-exempt, level 3 positions that will support critical nursery functions across the USDA Forest Service National Nursery System.

About the NFF: As the official national partner to the U.S. Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation (NFF) was chartered by Congress in 1993. Today, the NFF advances forest resiliency, healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat, and recreation for all by working with communities and organizations across the country. The Foundation has grown significantly in the last few years in programmatic impact, revenue and support, and organizational capacity. NFF leads with impact, deploying roughly 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. NFF is forward-thinking and innovative, with ambitious strategies and goals to advance and prepare forests for a new economy.

Position Function: The Nursery System Technician (Level 2) position reports to the NFF Nursery System Specialist and works closely with NFF’s Land and Water Enterprise Team, NFF Nursery System Staff, US Forest Service Nursery System Staff and Manager, and nursery system volunteers. In coordination with their NFF Nursery System Specialist and USFS Nursery System Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for daily nursery and extractory activities.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Nursery System Technician plays a vital role in supporting seedling production and plant material management across nursery and seed extraction operations. Key responsibilities include:

• Environmental Monitoring & Crop Care: Maintain optimal environmental conditions in greenhouse and bare root seed beds. Perform daily crop care tasks such as weeding, thinning, irrigation and fertigation system operation, pest and disease monitoring, and seedling measurement and inventory.
• Seedling Cultivation & Handling: Execute cultural treatments, seed sowing, transplanting, and packaging of seedlings. Ensure proper handling, storage, and shipping of plant materials in accordance with established protocols.
• Seed Processing & Testing: Assist with seed handling, processing, and testing activities using specialized equipment and techniques.
• Facility & Equipment Maintenance: Conduct routine cleaning, upkeep, and basic maintenance of nursery facilities and equipment to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
• Manual Labor & Material Transport: Perform physical tasks such as lifting and spreading soil or mulch, moving boxes, pulling weeds, and transporting containers of seed and seedlings.
• Data Collection & Documentation: Accurately measure, observe, and record biological data following established protocols. Maintain detailed and professional records of chemical applications, cultural treatments, and seedling inventories.
• Independent Task Execution: Carry out assigned duties with minimal supervision, demonstrating reliability and attention to detail in all aspects of seedling and seed care.
• Assisting with administrative oversight of nursery or seed facility operations to ensure quality and quantity standards are met
• Supporting the development of annual and long-range plans, including setting objectives, production goals, and budget projections
• Serving as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or equivalent for services and materials
• Creating technical publications or reports and providing training or guidance on seed handling and plant propagation
• Assisting in administrative studies related to bare-root and container stock production, seed production and storage, and stock quality monitoring

Education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Nursery System Technician (Level 2) to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Applicants must have 12 months of specialized experience. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: sowed and/or transplanted conifers or native species in a nursery setting; used mechanized irrigation equipment in a nursery; helped to provide administrative oversight of all work performed at a nursery/seed facility to ensure quality and quantity are maintained; and/or assisted in formulating an annual and long-range plans that identified objectives, production goals, and budget projections in support of annual program of work; and/or performed as a Contracting Officers Representative (COR) or equivalent, for services and materials provided; and/or created publications, reports, and provided technical training and advice on seed handling and plant propagation; and/or helped to oversee administrative studies in the fields of restoration/reforestation/nurseries; or skilled operation of a forklift or tractor in a professional setting.
• OR a bachelor degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school with major study relevant to the position (biology, chemistry, natural resources, environmental science, forestry, botany, agriculture, horticulture).
• OR a combination of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized experience stated above. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service purpose and National Forest lands management.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Nursery System Technician (Level 2) to possess the following proven abilities and skills:

• Ability to follow normal safety precautions and use safety equipment such as protective clothing, boots, gloves, goggles, dust mask, ear protection, and other gear. Incumbents will use chemicals or other products where following MSDS guidelines is expected.
• Ability for strenuous physical effort such as walking, bending, and carrying/lifting items weighing 50 pounds. This position also requires standing on concrete floors and walking over uneven terrain. Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to work in an office, greenhouse, extractory, cooler, freezer, and/or field environment. The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working with fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other potentially irritant chemicals or plants; working outdoors in adverse weather conditions with risk of exposure to poison ivy and long-term sun exposure; working with heavy farming equipment; working inside under cold/hot, loud, dusty conditions with possible exposure to insects/animals/fungus or signs of such insects/animals/fungi. Temperatures can be extreme (warm/cold) and general working conditions may be loud and/or dusty. Rain, snow, wind, or dust may be encountered during periods of outdoor work.
• Ability to understand and clearly communicate about nursery infrastructure and operations, reforestation and the reforestation pipeline
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, work in outdoor conditions, and maintain a flexible work schedule, including participation in weekend and evening events.
• Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to represent the NFF in a clear and professional manner through excellent written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A strong attention to detail, with skill in working in a timely and well-organized fashion.
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License and clean driving record.
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License and clean driving record, and ability to pass a federal government background check.

Certifications and Training Requirements: Nursery/extractory positions will require a Chemical Applicator license. Employees are expected to successfully obtain this license within the first year of employment. The organization will support required training and preparation. Continued employment in roles that require chemical application is dependent on maintaining this certification.

Other certifications, such as forklift or tractor operation, may be required based on site needs, operational demands, and the employee’s assigned duties. These certifications are not required for all positions. When needed, training and certification opportunities may be provided based on individual skill sets, interest, and local operational needs.

Employees are expected to complete required certifications within established timeframes. Inability to obtain or maintain required certifications for the assigned role may impact an employee’s ability to continue in that position.

Location: These positions will be based at one of the following nursery/extractory locations as follows:

1. Coeur d'Alene Nursery, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
2. Lucky Peak Nursery, Boise, ID
3. Bend Seed Extractory, Bend, OR

Flexible Work Schedules: This role supports year-round plant production and follows a flexible work schedule that varies with weather conditions, seasonal workload, and plant care needs. Employees may work longer days during favorable weather to complete time sensitive outdoor tasks and shorter days during poor weather when work is limited. The position includes rotating weekend coverage to ensure continuous plant care. Hours are tracked daily, and schedules are managed to balance total hours across the pay period whenever possible.

Compensation: NFF offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our total rewards strategy. The starting salary range for this position is $27.48 hourly, with the ability to grow, based on performance outcomes over time and assessed annually. NFF monitors mandated state minimum wage updates. Individual state conditions will be honored during the offer process. As a non-exempt role, this position is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour laws.

Benefits: NFF is proud to offer our staff:

Health and Wellness:

• Medical and dental insurance paid at 75% by the organization for you and any dependents.
• Vision insurance paid 50% by the organization for you and any dependents.
• Health savings account (HSA) with employer contributions between $1,878-$3,750 per year, predicated on coverage type.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA).
• Employee assistance program (EAP) at no cost.

Financial Wellbeing:

• 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one (1) year of service.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance at no cost.
• Basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost, with voluntary life insurance options.
• Whole life insurance at a discounted rate

Flexibility and time off:

• Employees start with 35 days of annual leave, sick leave, personal leave and holidays (annual leave accrual rates increase with years of service)
• Family & medical leave for up to sixteen (16) weeks with up to four (4) weeks paid.

Personal Development:

• Training & Development Programs
• Professional development reimbursement for up to $1,000 per year.

Journey of a Lifetime:

• The opportunity to support an incredible mission and travel to / work in spectacular locations.

To Apply: Applications must include both a cover letter and resume. Incomplete packages will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting will close on May 15th, or earlier if filled. Please visit our careers site to apply online.

The National Forest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer – meaning we provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, we prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and termination. We strive to foster a work environment where every individual is respected, valued, and treated fairly. This statement reflects our unwavering dedication to fairness, respect, and equality in employment practices and sets the foundation for a positive work environment.

Salary Description

$27.48