Seasonal Bareroot Lead, Forest Nursery Lead

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

Job summary

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites applications for two Forest Nursery Leads at Webster Nursery in Tumwater, WA. This is a full‑time, career seasonal position lasting 6–9 months, starting mid‑November or early December.

Lead duties include quality assurance in grading, sorting, and packing 8–15 million seedlings, overseeing contract staff, and supporting field and greenhouse tasks to produce high‑quality seedlings.

Qualifications

• Experience in horticulture or related forestry/seedling fields.
• Ability to understand, respond to, and communicate in English.
• Basic math skills.

Responsibilities

• Quality assurance during grading and sorting for seedling packing.
• Quality assurance during transplanting in varied weather conditions.
• Assist in training new staff.
• Perform various field projects (lifting irrigation pipe, data collection, soil and foliar sampling, etc.).
• Create and maintain respectful working relationships.
• Maintain reliability in attendance and punctuality.

Skills

Horticulture / Agriculture / Seedling

English communication

Basic math skills

Tools

Forklift operation

Job description

Seasonal Bareroot Lead, Forest Nursery Lead
Full-time, Career Seasonal, Represented position (WPEA).
Anticipated Seasonal employment is 6 – 9 months annually
Location: Webster Forest Nursery – Tumwater, 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 for two Forest Nursery Leads.

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.

This position reports to the Bareroot Crop Manager. It is a full‑time, career seasonal position lasting 6-9 months through our production season. The position starts in mid-November or early December and recurs annually each production season. It is ideal for someone who has a summer seasonal position and can switch between the two positions.

Responsibilities:

• —Quality assurance during grading and sorting for seedling packing
• —-Quality assurance during transplanting in varied weather conditions
• —Assist in training new staff
• —Various field projects (lifting irrigation pipe, data collection, soil and foliar sampling, etc.)
• —Creating and maintaining respectful working relationships
• —Reliability in attendance and punctuality

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 materials that your skills align with the position and qualifications.

• —Experience in Horticulture, Agriculture, or Seedling Forestry through previous work experience in a related industry and/or education program.
• —Ability to consistently understand, respond to, and communicate in English.
• —Basic math skills.

Required Competencies:

• —Professional communication skills, both verbal and in writing.
• —Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.

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. Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crawl, step over greenhouse rails, and climb on and off equipment. Frequent lifting of seedlings, blocks, 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.
• —Minimal travel required. There are opportunities to help with projects in the woods or visit for technology exchange. Advanced notice will be given.

Desired Qualifications:

• —Spanish language skills.
• —Forklift operation.
• —Experience using mobile devices to collect data.
• —Pesticide Applicators License.
• —Horticulture/Agriculture/Plant Biology