Seasonal Bareroot Lead, Forest Nursery Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation days

Professional development

Job summary

Washington Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Seasonal Bareroot Lead at Webster Nursery in Tumwater, WA. The role focuses on quality control during grading, sorting, and packing millions of seedlings, and overseeing contract staff during packing in a fast-paced environment.

The position reports to the Bareroot Crop Manager, lasts 6–9 months per production season, and begins mid-November to early December. A strong emphasis is placed on safety, teamwork, and hands-on seedling care.

Qualifications

• Experience in horticulture, agriculture, or seedling forestry through work or education.
• 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.
• Field projects including lifting irrigation pipe, data collection, soil and foliar sampling.
• Create and maintain respectful working relationships.
• Be reliable with attendance and punctuality.

Skills

Horticulture

Agriculture

Seedling forestry

English proficiency

Basic math

Job description

Description

Seasonal Bareroot Lead, Forest Nursery Lead

Recruitment #2026-10-6836/A498. 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.

Duties

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

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 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.
• 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. 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 knowledge gained through college-level coursework and/or degree program.

At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion and are committed to hiring the best candidate for the job.

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.