Greenhouse Lead

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites applications for the Greenhouse Lead in the Webster Forest Nursery. Based in Olympia, this full-time seasonal role supports packing, sowing, monitoring seedlings, and maintaining clean growing areas to ensure a steady supply for reforestation across the Pacific Northwest.

You will work in a busy production setting, follow safety protocols, operate equipment like UTVs, blowers, and pallet jacks, and contribute to teamwork while meeting quality

Qualifications

• English proficiency required.
• Experience with equipment such as UTV, blower, power washer, pallet jack.
• Experience with basic repair skills (hammer, nail, crowbar).
• Experience working in a group setting.
• Horticulture/Agriculture/Plant Biology knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Assist and direct daily operations during packing and sowing seedlings.
• Monitor quality control of packed seedlings and sowing process.
• Assist with sanitizing growing containers and greenhouses.
• Safely operate mobile equipment.
• Maintain attendance and punctuality.
• Foster respectful working relationships.

Skills

English proficiency

UTV operation

Power tool usage

Teamwork

Reliability

Safety awareness

Tools

UTV

Blower

Power washer

Pallet jack

Job description

Greenhouse Lead

Recruitment #2026-10-A499

Full-time, Career Seasonal, Represented position (WPEA)

Anticipated employment is 5-6 months annually

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 Forest Resources Division as a Greenhouse Lead.

The Webster Forest Nursery Greenhouse team is looking for a talented, enthusiastic person to help produce seedlings for reforestation efforts across the Pacific Northwest. Webster Nursery Greenhouses comprise 70,000 square feet of growing area. The annual crop is approximately 2.5 million trees comprising 12 distinct species. The seedlings grown at Webster are primarily planted on State Trust Lands with the intention of responsibly managing the landscape and sustainably harvesting the timber to provide revenue for schools, county, and local expenses. A certain number of trees are grown for reforestation of private lands.

The Greenhouse Lead position calls for someone who enjoys an active workday in the elements. The Lead position is an essential component assisting in packing out the current year’s crop, cleaning and preparing the growing containers and greenhouses, and assisting in the process of sowing the next year’s crop. This position requires attention to detail to maintain the genetic identity of the various seedlings and an eye on safety. This is a physical job. The ideal candidate is someone who wants to get their hands dirty in a busy production environment where science and hard work come together. This position requires an individual who is comfortable working in a group under direction as well as being individually motivated as the work dictates.

Responsibilities:

• Assisting and helping to direct daily operations during Packing and Sowing seedlings
• Monitoring quality control of packed seedlings, media-filled growing containers, and the sowing process
• Assisting with sanitizing growing containers and greenhouses
• Safe operation of mobile equipment
• Reliability in attendance and punctuality
• Creating and maintaining respectful working relationships

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.

• Ability to consistently understand, respond to, and communicate in English.
• Experience with equipment such as but not limited to: UTV, blower, power washer, pallet jack.
• Experience with basic repair skills (hammer, nail, crowbar).
• Experience working in a group setting.
• Horticulture/Agriculture/Plant Biology knowledge and interest.

Required Competencies:

• Reliable and punctual work attendance.
• Accustomed to working on one’s own, staying alert and focused.
• 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 CommunicationInspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• Position works in all weather conditions both outside and inside the greenhouses. Temperatures range from 30 to 90 degrees F with occasional high humidity levels. Frequent temperature changes while walking or driving in and out of the cooler, packing shed, greenhouses or outdoors. Working in an outdoor environment in all weather conditions and the ability to walk over uneven terrain. Frequent lifting of filled seedling blocks, grit bags, packed seedling boxes and other supplies requires the ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs. without the aid of equipment. Greenhouse crop care requires the ability to stand and/or sit for extended periods over an 8-hour shift. Greenhouse benches are at waist height and require walking sideways or stepping over pipe rails located two feet above the ground frequently. Working in and around large warehouse equipment requires the ability to effectively communicate in a loud industrial setting. The presence of pedestrian foot traffic is a real and constant hazard in many of the operation areas; safety is always the number one objective.

Desired Qualifications:

These qualifications are not required. However, it can help you stand out as a candidate and should be highlighted in your application material.

• Nursery / Agriculture / Greenhouse production work experience.
• Forklift experience.
• Spanish language skills.
• Pesticide applicator license.

At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion and are committed to hiring the best candidate for the job. If you have any questions about the qualifications, please email us at [e-mail].

Questions?

Please contact Nathan Floding at [e-mail] / 360-902-1306 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 opportunities
• Educational 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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