Native Plant Propagation Manager

Organization Overview

The Nantucket jobshiringnearme.org Foundation (NCF) owns, protects, and stewards over 9,000 acres of land and coastal shoreline on Nantucket Island, MA, conserves the island’s rare and significant natural resources, and engages in impactful ecological research to inform resource management and further our knowledge of Nantucket’s unique ecosystems and species. NCF shares its environmental expertise with the wider community and provides educational and recreational opportunities to encourage respectful enjoyment and appreciation of its properties. For more information on NCF, its mission, and current projects, please see the Foundation’s website www.nantucketconservation.org.

Position Summary

The Native Plant Propagation Manager will oversee the activities associated with the expanding NCF native plant propagation program, from seed collection, processing and storage to propagation and out-planting for our restoration projects. NCF’s current program produces native plants for use on our restoration projects and includes native plant demonstration landscaping at our office. This position will assist in increasing program capacity to support larger-scale restoration projects and continue to develop and maintain demonstration gardens to educate the public on the use of native plants in landscaping. In collaboration with the Plant Research Ecologist/Botanist, the Native Plant Propagation Manager will plan and implement all steps of propagation, from seed harvest and germination to transplanting and care in the field. The Native Plant Propagation Manager supports the Plant Ecology Program and Stewardship aspects of the Land Management department to foster healthy native plant communities and native plant awareness on Nantucket. They will interface with the Development and Education department when necessary for educational outreach and participate in NCF events alongside other staff members.

For more information on NCF’s mission and current Ecology and Land Stewardship projects, please see the Foundation’s website www.nantucketconservation.org and read our Science Blog.

Primary Responsibilities:

• With input from Ecology and Land Management Departments, develops and executes the yearly plant propagation plan, restoration planting plans, annual reports, and maintains an inventory of seeds and plants.
• Manages NCF’s seed processing and storage room, greenhouses, seed increase plots/seed harvest, and outdoor growing areas under the guidance of the Plant Ecologist. These responsibilities include but are not limited to general plant care, maintaining growing areas, and coordinating with the Director of Land Management for needs relating to maintenance of structures, equipment, and pest management.
• Implements the staged native plant propagation program beginning with seed collection and propagation of plants for internal restoration projects with a potential to build over time to include native plant and seed sales. Participates in longer range planning as needed.
• Plant propagation tasks include but are not limited to seed collection/harvesting, processing seed for storage, preparing and propagating seed, irrigating, fertilizing, pest control, pruning, transplanting, etc.
• Oversees seasonal staff and/or volunteers in performing greenhouse, seed preparation, restoration and office landscaping tasks such as planting, transplanting, plant care, watering, weeding as needed.
• To develop a working knowledge of Nantucket plant communities and ecology, participates in plant ID training and field vegetation monitoring and restoration projects under direction of the Plant Ecologist.
• Participates in NCF’s public-facing events alongside other staff members, and in developing and co-leading specific native plant-focused outreach such as native plant garden tours and greenhouse tours.
• Communicates resource and supply needs to the director of Land Management for annual budgeting and purchase.

Required Qualifications: 

Associate’s or Bachelor’s level degree in horticulture, native plant propagation and restoration, OR equivalent longer-term work experience and native plant propagation certificates from relevant programs. Two or more years of job experience with varied horticultural background including: propagating native plants, restoration planting design, installation and maintenance of native plantings, and greenhouse management. Ability to work independently as well as coordinate with Ecology and Land Management staff members to plan and implement native plant projects. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications for reporting and record keeping. A valid driver’s license is required, and the candidate must be comfortable in driving a light pickup truck during work hours and in operating typical farm equipment. Ability to work well as a team member and manage seasonal staff.

Desired Qualifications: Interest in learning vegetation monitoring techniques and collecting ecological field data to support island plant communities and restoration projects. Desire to build a working knowledge of local plant ecology and ID for restoration and conservation purposes.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: This is a fieldwork intensive position May-October and is more office-based November-April. Applicants must be able to tolerate adverse field conditions, inclement weather and variable terrain, poison ivy, and biting insects (mosquitoes, deer ticks). Nantucket is an area with a high incidence of tick-borne disease so precautions to minimize risk are encouraged. The work involves greenhouse and landscape maintenance tasks, hiking, standing, bending, kneeling, and hauling agricultural equipment and supplies on a routine basis.

Dates/Hours: This is a full-time, year-round position beginning in early-mid April 2025; exact dates are somewhat flexible. Hours are 40 hours a week with daily hours variable depending on particular projects: early-morning and late-night fieldwork may be required depending on project, weather, tides, etc. Weekend work will be required for certain projects and non-profit events.

Wages/Benefits: Salary commensurate with experience and ranges from $56,160 – $62,400 based on a 40-hour work week. Housing is provided in shared, employee house at an adjusted rate — salary is negotiable if housing is not needed. Work-related transportation is provided during working hours. Eligible to participate in the Foundation’s full-time employee benefit plans and programs (subject to required waiting periods) including group health insurance, group life and accidental death insurance, disability insurance, dental insurance, 401K Plan, paid employee vacation and sick time, and paid holidays.