Nursery Specialist (3428) - Natural Resources & Lands Management Division - SFPUC (151975)

The City and County of San Francisco is hiring a Nursery Specialist for the Natural Resources & Lands Management Division in Sunol, CA. This role involves managing California native plant propagation activities at the Sunol Native Plant Nursery, implementing best practices to combat plant pathogens, and supporting ecological resource management. The position requires collaboration with interns, volunteers, and educational staff to maintain nursery operations and ensure successful plant growth.
About the Natural Resources and Lands Management Division

The Natural Resources and Lands Management (NRLM) Division within the Water Enterprise of the SFPUC is responsible for the management of approximately 61,000 acres of Bay Area watershed lands under SFPUC ownership as well as 150 miles of utility right-of-way. NRLM Division is responsible for managing, protecting, restoring, and monitoring the ecological resources on these lands and environmental compliance for the operations and maintenance of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System which serves 2.7 million customers. We are committed to responsible natural resources management that protects and restores viable populations of native species and maintains the integrity of the ecosystems that support them for current and future generations. We strive to become a leader in science-based and collaborative environmental stewardship in order to continue providing high-quality and reliable water supplies to our customers.

About the Position

This position is based in Sunol, California at the Sunol Native Plant Nursery (SNPN) to support the Accreditation in Restoration (AIR) certified SNPN facility and the Alameda Creek Watershed Center Discovery Garden as part of the Natural Resources and Lands Management Division. Under direction, the Nursery Specialist participates in or leads the performance of a wide variety of California native plant propagation activities in a nursery, greenhouse, and SFPUC owned lands, while implementing Nursery Phytophthora Best Management Practices (NPBMPs).

Working Relationship: This position will report to the Chief Nursery Specialist and work closely with: SFPUC Interns (such as classifications 5382, 9922, etc.), Alameda Creek Watershed Center Education staff, community volunteers and school groups.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Implements and maintains best management practices to reduce or eliminate Phytophthora and other destructive plant pathogens in a nursery setting; supports re-accreditation process in AIR program biennially.
• Participates in or leads the performance of a variety of nursery activities with phytosanitary protocols; collect seed from wild and domestic locations; cleans and stores seed; treats and sows seed; transplants seedlings to pots or flats; pots and repots plants, amplifies propagule material such as seeds and bulbs.
• Supports the SNPN Integrated Pest Management program; prepares and applies pesticides to be used in the nursery (sparingly); observes, records, and treats a variety of nursery and greenhouse pests including ground squirrels, mice, aphids, powdery mildew, wasps, thrips, etc.
• Sterilizes and mixes soils and amendments to be used in plant propagation activities; applies fertilizers to crops when needed; prunes and stakes nursery stock.
• Makes necessary adjustments to Nursery equipment regarding ventilation, temperature humidity and other environmental factors affecting plant materials; participates in or leads the irrigation and cultivation of all crops.
• Assist with tracking nursery orders and intake forms; coordinates with city and external representatives on status and revisions to Nursery orders.
• Maintains accurate and detailed records of plant propagation activities; performs regular and accurate data entry into IrisBG database.
• Supports Nursery facilities and equipment inspection and repair including shade house, greenhouse, trailers, boiler, oven, lab refrigerators, seed cleaning equipment, Garden and Nursery irrigation; may make minor repairs as needed.
• Participates in or leads the Phytophthora testing program; tests nursery stock using multiple techniques including pear baiting and pathogen testing strips; maintains inventory of testing materials; stays current on research and management of invasive plant pathogens in horticulture and its impact on ecological restoration.
• Mentors SFPUC interns.
• Supports maintenance of the Alameda Creek Watershed Center (ACWC) Discovery Garden and interpretive programs as needed.
• Supports Natural Resources Volunteer and Education programming including Nursery and Garden tours; formal and informal presentations to staff, outside agencies, and public; volunteer management in the Nursery and Garden; and a variety of kindergarten to college educational programs.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: may occasionally work in inclement weather, lift floral exhibits and/or move plants of moderate weight.