Forest Nursery Lead

State of Washington; Thurston (AL); Sur place; USD 37 000 - 49 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Excellent benefits

Professional development opportunities

Résumé du poste

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources seeks a Forest Nursery Lead for Webster Nursery in Olympia. You will oversee quality assurance in grading, sorting, and packing 8-15 million seedlings for public and private reforestation projects.

This hands-on role involves supervising contract staff during packing, and performing diverse agricultural duties in fields and greenhouses. Webster Nursery, established 1957, spans 150 acres with 75,000 sq ft of climate-controlled greenhouses.

Qualifications

• Basic math skills.
• Work experience in Horticulture, Agriculture, or Seedling Forestry and/or education in a related field.
• Ability to consistently understand, respond to, and communicate in English.

Responsabilités

• Quality assurance during grading and sorting for seedling packing.
• Quality assurance during transplanting in varied weather conditions.
• Creating and maintaining respectful working relationships.
• Reliability in attendance and punctuality.

Connaissances

Basic math

Horticulture/Agriculture/Seedling work

English communication

Description du poste

Posting number: 2026-10-0459/8264/8265-09102

Department: Dept. of Natural Resources

Job classification: FOREST NURSERY LEAD

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, Forestry, Sciences

Summary

Working Title

Forest Nursery Lead

Recruitment #2026-10-0459/8264/8265

Full-time, Non-Permanent, Represented position (WPEA)

Anticipated employment is December 2026 - April 2027

Location: Olympia, WA

Salary: $3,327.00 - $4,406.00 Monthly

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Webster Nursery as a Forest Nursery Lead. Have a passion for contributing to the growing need for seedlings to be planted in the landscape? As part of the Webster Nursery team, a Forest Nursery Lead is responsible for quality assurance in the grading, sorting, and packing of 8-15 million seedlings to help fill the need for both public and private reforestation efforts. It takes an individual who is ready to work in a fast-paced and physically active environment, both indoors and out, maintains attention to detail, and has the drive to be invested in providing quality seedlings for our customers. This position works hands-on with seedlings, is responsible for overseeing the contract staff during packing, and participates in a range of agricultural duties to maintain exceptional seedling care in both the fields and greenhouses. Established on the current site in 1957, Webster Nursery now maintains 150 acres of tillable land and 75,000 square feet of climate-controlled greenhouses, providing varied opportunities to be part of growing our future forests.

Examples of duties

Responsibilities:

• Quality assurance during grading and sorting for seedling packing
• Quality assurance during transplanting in varied weather conditions
• Creating and maintaining respectful working relationships
• Reliability in attendance and punctuality

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience. Please clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications.

• Basic math skills.
• Work experience in Horticulture, Agriculture, or Seedling Forestry and/or education in a related field.
• Ability to consistently understand, respond to, and communicate in English.

Required Competencies

• Reliable and punctual work attendance.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention, and ensure requests are followed.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• Position is required to work in all weather conditions both inside and outside. Must be able to walk on rough, uneven terrain in all weather conditions. Frequent temperature changes walking into and out of coolers, freezers, greenhouses, production areas, and outdoors in all weather conditions. During seedling packing, indoor conditions are dusty, muddy, humid, wet, and cold. Must be able to stand for extended periods of time during an 8-hour shift. Frequent lifting of bareroot seedlings, seedling bags, boxes, and other supplies requires the ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs. without the aid of equipment. Working in and around large warehouse and farming equipment requires the ability to effectively communicate in a loud industrial setting. The ability to grasp, grab, pull, and use power/hand tools.
• Some travel may be required; notice will be given.

Desired Qualifications:

• Spanish language skills.
• Forklift operation competency.
• Pesticide Applicators License.
• Previous use of mobile devices to collect and store data.
• Previous work experience in a production nursery.

At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion and are committed to hiring the best candidate for the job. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have any questions about the qualifications, please email us at [e-mail].

Questions?

Please contact Celeste Pace at [e-mail]/564-669-1729 or email us at [e-mail]. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call [phone] or email [e-mail]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

About the Department of Natural Resources

(DNR).

At DNR, we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our Vision

Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.

Our Mission

Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Our Values

• Integrity—Staff who work at the Department of Natural Resources are principled and consistent on behalf of all Washingtonians.
• Respect—Employees value and respect the public DNR serves, and one another.
• Professionalism—The Agency is committed to professionalism and civil conduct.
• Joy—DNR’s work involves some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities impacting Washington, which staff meet with curiosity and gratitude.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of which include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunitiesEducational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

Additional Information:

This recruitment may be extended and used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

DNR does not use E-Verify; therefore, we cannot hire or extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Visas. For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference, please attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or a USDVA signed verification of service letter. Please black out all PII (personally identifiable information) data, such as Social Security numbers. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, call 360-664-1960 or 1-877-664-1960 or email [e-mail].

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