Nursery Production Specialist

Earthbalance; Arcadia (FL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Paid holidays

Training and professional development

Job summary

EarthBalance is seeking a Nursery Production Specialist to support propagation, potting, irrigation, fertilization, plant health monitoring, inventory, and preparation of plant material for projects and customers.

This hands-on role works with nursery management and team members to maintain healthy plants, ensure timely production, and meet established quality standards through careful scheduling and documentation. Benefits and growth opportunities available.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Education or coursework in horticulture, plant science, environmental science, agriculture, natural resources, or related field preferred but not required.
• Previous nursery, landscaping, horticulture, agriculture, or plant production experience preferred but not required.
• Interest in learning Florida native plant identification and commercial nursery production.
• Ability to recognize changes in plant health and communicate concerns to management.

Responsibilities

• Assist with propagation and production of native plant species from seeds, cuttings, divisions, liners, etc.
• Perform potting, transplanting, shifting, spacing, pruning and other plant production activities.
• Monitor plant material for health, growth, quality, and readiness.
• Identify and report signs of pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, irrigation problems, and other plant health concerns.
• Monitor irrigation systems and assist with adjustments, troubleshooting, and basic repairs.
• Assist with fertilizer applications and plant health treatments according to procedures.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Horticulture/plant science coursework

Job description

Nursery Production Specialist

The Nursery Production Specialist supports the production, care, and maintenance of high-quality native plant material. This position participates in all stages of nursery production, including propagation, potting, irrigation, fertilization, plant health monitoring, inventory, and preparation of plant material for projects and customers.

This is a hands-on position designed for an individual interested in developing their knowledge and experience in native plant production. The Nursery Production Specialist works closely with nursery management and other team members to ensure plants are healthy, properly maintained, and produced efficiently while meeting established quality standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with the propagation and production of native plant species through seeds, cuttings, divisions, liners, and other appropriate methods.
• Perform potting, transplanting, shifting, spacing, pruning, and other plant production activities.
• Monitor plant material for overall health, growth, quality, and readiness.
• Identify and report signs of pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, irrigation problems, and other plant health concerns.
• Monitor irrigation systems and assist with adjustments, troubleshooting, and basic repairs to ensure appropriate water coverage.
• Assist with fertilizer applications and plant health treatments according to established procedures and schedules.
• Develop knowledge of Florida native plant species, including plant identification, growing requirements, and appropriate production practices.
• Monitor assigned production areas and communicate crop concerns or production needs to nursery management.
• Assist with production planning by identifying plants that require shifting, spacing, pruning, fertilization, or other attention.
• Maintain accurate plant labels and assist with plant counts, inventory, availability, and production records.
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized growing and production areas.
• Assist with pulling, inspecting, staging, and preparing plant material for customer orders and restoration projects.
• Safely operate nursery equipment, utility vehicles, carts, pumps, and other equipment as trained and authorized.
• Follow all company safety procedures and properly use required personal protective equipment.
• Assist with general nursery operations as needed to support production goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Education or coursework in horticulture, plant science, environmental science, agriculture, natural resources, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Previous nursery, landscaping, horticulture, agriculture, or plant production experience is preferred but not required.
• Interest in learning Florida native plant identification and commercial nursery production.
• Ability to recognize changes in plant health and communicate concerns to management.
• Ability to follow production schedules, instructions, and established procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic computer or mobile technology skills for inventory and production recordkeeping.
• Valid driver's license Required

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors in Florida weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and direct sunlight.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.
• Ability to regularly lift and carry plant material, containers, soil, and supplies.
• Ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work around water, fertilizers, pesticides, soil, insects, and other conditions commonly found in a nursery environment.

Knowledge and Skills Developed in This Position

The Nursery Production Specialist will have the opportunity to develop technical knowledge and experience in:

• Florida native plant identification
• Propagation techniques
• Irrigation management
• Fertility and plant nutrition
• Pest and disease identification
• Integrated pest management
• Crop scheduling and planning
• Plant quality standards
• Nursery inventory and production systems
• Commercial native plant production

Career Development

This position provides an opportunity to develop the technical knowledge and practical experience necessary for advancement within nursery operations. Employees who demonstrate proficiency in plant production, irrigation, plant health, propagation, crop management, and production planning may have opportunities to advance into positions such as Grower, Senior Grower, or Nursery Production Manager.

Benefits:

We value our team and offer a comprehensive benefits package:

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (company-sponsored pension)

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid short- and long-term disability insurance
• Free life insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• 2 weeks of paid vacation in your first year
• 1 week of paid sick leave in your first year
• Paid holidays
• Paid training and professional development

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):

EarthBalance® is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. To give equal employment and advancement opportunities to all people, we make employment decisions at the Company based on each person’s performance, qualifications, and abilities. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by law.