Nursery Production Manager

About Walker Basin Conservancy

Walker Basin Conservancy leads one of North America’s most ambitious restoration efforts: saving Walker Lake while supporting the communities, agriculture, and wildlife that depend on the Walker River. With roughly 30 full-time and 15 seasonal employees, the Conservancy manages water rights acquisitions, creates public access and provides environmental education, stewards and protects public lands, and operates a native‐plant nursery and seed farm.

Job description

The Nursery Production Manager leads and coordinates operations at the Conservancy’s native plant production facility in Smith Valley. This position is responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing all aspects of nursery production to ensure the timely delivery of approximately 400,000 high-quality native seedlings annually in support of large-scale habitat restoration and landscape projects.

The Nursery Production Manager works closely with the Native Seed Manager and Nursery Grower Supervisor to align production goals, staffing priorities, and operational needs. The ideal candidate brings strong nursery production management experience, technical horticultural expertise, and a commitment to efficiency, safety, and plant health. This position plays a critical role in the success of the Conservancy’s Nursery and Native Seed Farm.

This is an excellent opportunity to work with a growing organization and a small, dedicated team that is passionate about agriculture, conservation, and operational excellence.

Essential Functions

In cooperation with the Native Seed Manager and supporting other staff as needed, the Nursery Production Manager is responsible for the following:

Nursery Production & Operations 

• Implement annual and seasonal grow plans to meet established production targets and restoration project timelines.
• Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for nursery production and operations.
• Oversee production schedules, recordkeeping, data collection, and quality control systems.
• Coordinate daily and weekly work priorities with the Nursery Grower Supervisor.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement to enhance efficiency, consistency, and plant quality.

Inventory, Procurement & Shipping 

• Maintain accurate inventories of plants, growing media, containers, and nursery supplies.
• Forecast production and operational needs and manage procurement, including purchase requests and vendor coordination.
• Authorize and oversee plant order fulfillment, including harvesting, staging, packaging, and shipping logistics.

Plant Health, Safety & Quality 

• Establish and enforce plant health, sanitation, and quality standards.
• Monitor crops for pests, disease, nutrient deficiencies, and cultural issues; authorize preventative and corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with Conservancy safety policies, including required training and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Facility & Equipment Oversight 

• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and functionality of greenhouses, shade structures, and nursery infrastructure.
• Oversee maintenance and repair of irrigation systems, tools, vehicles, and equipment.
• Assess facility and equipment needs and coordinate repairs or improvements with operations staff and contractors.

Staff Supervision & Leadership 

• Directly supervise the Nursery Grower Supervisor and provide guidance, mentorship, and performance feedback.
• Support staff training, scheduling, and workload planning to ensure safe, efficient, and effective nursery operations.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and safety-focused work environment.

Coordination, Communication & Outreach 

• Communicate regularly with the Native Seed Manager and Nursery Grower Supervisor to align production activities with program goals.
• Maintain positive working relationships with internal and external partners, including customers and contractors.
• Represent the nursery during site tours, volunteer events, and outreach activities, as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of nursery or horticultural production experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of plant propagation, greenhouse management, irrigation systems, pest and disease management, and shipping logistics.
• Experience with inventory management, recordkeeping systems, and procurement processes.
• Strong communication, coordination, and supervisory skills.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, work outdoors in varying conditions, and operate nursery tools, vehicles, and equipment.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record, or ability to obtain within one month of hire.

Prefered Qualifications

• Familiarity with large-scale native plant production for restoration or conservation projects.
• Experience developing, implementing, and refining standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Experience supervising staff in a nursery, agricultural, greenhouse, or field-based work environment.
• Knowledge of Great Basin or Intermountain West flora and ecological restoration practices.
• Experience with nursery management software, databases, or production tracking systems.
• Experience coordinating logistics for plant delivery, staging, and shipping.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and adapt work in a fast-paced, seasonal production environment.