Specialist, Nursery Operations

Silvaseed Company; Roy (WA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Silvaseed Company in Washington state seeks a Nursery Specialist to produce quality forest seedling crops and follow nursery practices under the guidance of the crew lead. You will work to maintain greenhouse crops and facilities while coordinating with permanent staff and applying standard procedures.

The role emphasizes teamwork, reliability, and safety-first mindset, with responsibilities including fertilizer mixing, pest scouting, and record-keeping.

Qualifications

• 3+ years relevant work experience (or AS/BS degree) in forestry/agriculture/horticulture.
• Strong teamwork, communication, reliability, and conflict management.

Responsibilities

• Produce quality forest seedling crops using nursery practices.
• Collaborate with crew lead and other staff to maintain greenhouse crops.
• Mix fertilizers and monitor irrigation and EC readings; record block weights.
• Maintain accurate records and assist with packing and lifting.
• Operate forklifts safely and work at heights as needed.
• Complete pesticide applicator training within 30 days if required.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Reliability

Conflict management

Safety-first

Education

AS/BS degree in forestry/agriculture/horticulture

Job description

You will have a broad suite of roles that require you to:

• Produce quality forest seedling crops by applying effective nursery practices and principles. Follow instructions from crew lead on daily tasks and deliver the tasks on time.
• Demonstrate effective teamwork skills including respectfulness, strong communication and listening skills, reliability, and conflict management. This position may work under the Assistant Nursery Manager and crew lead to maintain the greenhouse crop and facility. The specialist must coordinate activities with other permanent employees and does not report solely to the Assistant Nursery Manager. Solving greenhouse challenges is a team effort.
• Assist, coordinate, and train forest nursery workers in required nursery work activities.
• Mix fertilizers and check electrical conductivity (EC) readings before and after irrigations and properly mix and apply fertilizers. Record block weights in accessible files, in a timely manner to allow for quick fertigation decisions.
• Take daily block weights while scouting for pests and diseases.
• Monitor and measure crop growth rates and conduct audits on lifted crops.
• Keep neat and accurate records including computerized record-keeping systems. Inventory crops, maximizing speed and efficiency to be mindful of reporting and delivery schedules. Follow instruction from crew lead on which crops need monitoring.
• Implement and operate analog, computerized and other control systems.
• Assist with greenhouse sanitization practices. As directed by your manager or crew lead assigned to you, manage weeds through manual removal in facilities. Also as directed, manage weeds in the crop through careful manual removal, being mindful of seedling quality.
• Maintain, repair, and upgrade nursery facilities as needed. During periods of low activity in greenhouses, work with facilities to maintain grounds.
• Assist with packing greenhouse crops, including repetitive lifting of boxes and bags up to 50 lbs.
• Operate forklifts safely and with precision.
• Working at height and on roofs when required
• Follow a company-directed IPM program, applying pesticides as needed.
• Receive a Washington State pesticide applicators' license within 90 days of hire.
• Shift work and weekend work is required – regular hours are 40 hours per week with varying shift times by growing seasons.

Preferred Qualifications and Durable Qualities:

• 3+ years relevant work experience (or AS/BS) degree, in forestry/agriculture/horticulture.
• Strong teamwork skills including respectfulness, strong communication and listening skills, reliability, and conflict management. This position works under the Senior Operations Manager, Assistant Nursery Manager, and crew lead to maintain the greenhouse crop and facility. The Specialist must coordinate activities with other permanent employees and does not report solely to the Assistant Nursery Manager. Solving greenhouse challenges is a team effort.
• Resourceful and adaptable to new and changing technologies, processes, and environments.
• Must be willing to learn and follow regulatory guidance and procedures.
• Experience and comfort in the greenhouse and outdoor climates (heat/cold).
• Excellent judgment with a clear “safety-first” mentality.
• Successful applicants must complete internal training for pesticide applicator certificates within 30 days, ideally.
• Must be reliable and have transportation - no public transit is available.
• Ability to drive manual-transmission vehicles is preferred.