WE'RE HIRING! Native Plant Nursery Coordinator

May. 29th, 2023 - Jun. 30th, 2023

Calling All Native Plant Enthusiasts! 

Help restore the land and nourish the community we love!

Tillamook Estuaries Partnership (TEP) is looking for somebody to coordinate our native plant nursery operations with the needs of restoration organizations along the Oregon coast. 

The Native Plant Nursery (NPN) Coordinator will work closely with TEP staff, partners, youth crews, and volunteers who share a common goal of growing coastally-adapted, genetically-appropriate native plants for the Northwest Oregon Restoration Partnership (NORP). 

Scroll down for more information on TEP, NORP, the NPN Coordinator Position, and how to apply.

Northwest Oregon Restoration Partnership (NORP)

The Northwest Oregon Restoration Partnership (NORP) is a group of >30 organizations working together to propagate, distribute, and utilize high quality, ethically sourced native plants in the restoration projects implemented on private and public lands in the watersheds of the Lower Columbia, North, and Mid-Oregon coast.  NORP members include the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon State Parks, the National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, watershed councils, land trusts, the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), and local youth programs. 

At the core of NORP is TEP’s native plant nursery.  (Check out our YouTube video.) The nursery propagates over 30 species of trees, shrubs, and forbs specifically for the NORP members (it is not open to the public).  Inventory can exceed over 100,000 plants during the year, with annual distribution to partners typically ranging between 30,000 and 50,000 plants.  The nursery operates year-round, with activities changing throughout the production cycle.  TEP has three staff members dedicated to the nursery (including this NPN Coordinator position).  The nursery’s week-day crew is comprised of 6-8 OYA youth under guarded supervision.  NORP members, other youth groups, and volunteers also help during planned activities. 

Job Description

Job-specific responsibilities for the NPN Coordinator include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Work as part of TEP’s team to support the operation of our Native Plant Nursery (NPN) Program and, by extension, support TEP’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).
  • Develop and implement work plans (e.g. transplanting, powerwashing, infrastructure maintenance and improvement, partner grow-outs), holding area cleaning, plant placements, inventory diagramming
  • Maintain records, inventories, and databases (e.g. nursery operations, plant inventory, plant distribution).  Assist with large nursery purchases, deliveries, pick-up, etc.
  • Coordinate and lead partner, youth, and volunteer days; track volunteer and youth labor hours; lead nursery tours
  • Manage nursery operating budget; set plant pricing; approve expense payments; write and administer grants (annual target >$100k); write and administer youth labor contracts
  • Develop, fund, and oversee implementation of nursery upgrade projects
  • Make surplus plant materials available through community plant sales
• Oversee the Northwest Oregon Restoration Partnership (NORP) including, but not limited to:
  • Develop annual plant allocations for partners; coordinate and assist during distributions; invoice partners; write year end reports reflecting partner restoration accomplishments. 
  • Coordinate with partners involving plant material grow-outs and requests.  Manage associated contracts.
  • Facilitate NORP Steering Committee and annual member meetings.  Administer Memorandums of Agreement.
  • Develop and implement NORP engagement opportunities including member community workshops, education events, and volunteer activities.  Assist partners, as needed, at satellite nurseries
• Collaborate with TEP’s Communication & Education team to provide opportunities for education, hands-on experiences, youth mentorship, and community service.

In order to contribute to the success of TEP as an organization, the NPN Coordinator will have the following general responsibilities:

• Support TEP staff, Board of Directors, and partners in the development and implementation of CCMP, 5-year strategies, and annual work plans.  Track accomplishments.
• Maintain close working relationships with local, state, and federal partners, scientists, educators, volunteers, and special interest groups
• Represent TEP at meetings, committees, conferences, workshops, and events as needed
• Support TEP- and partner-led water quality, monitoring, education, and engagement programs as needed
• Communicate TEP’s achievements through reports, quarterly newsletters, website content, and social media postings
• Write reports and give presentations that meet audience expectations, display information clearly and with high impact, and reflect professionally on TEP
• Participate in TEP fundraising efforts
• Any other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements (Job Specific)

• B.S. degree in botany, biology, agriculture, or other related science
• Minimum of two years’ experience related to nursery operations, landscaping, agriculture, or similar
• Has strong leadership skills including ability to motivate others and being a positive role model
• Comfortable working with all ages and abilities, especially at-risk youth
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, and Adobe or other similar software. 
• Reliable transportation to/from the Port of Tillamook and to/from TEP’s office (located in the Port of Garibaldi) that does not interfere with the hours required for this position.
• Must pass TEP’s criminal background check prior to first day of work
• Must pass OYA’s background check and child abuse and neglect registry check prior to first day of work.

Preferred Experience (Job Specific)

• Expertise in identifications of plant species native to the Oregon Coast.
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn Access software.
• Proof of valid driver’s license and current auto liability insurance required (i) prior to driving any TEP-owned vehicle and (ii) prior to driving any vehicle, including personal vehicle, for any TEP-related business.

Preferred Attributes  (General)

• Interact with staff, Board Members, and public with a high level of professionalism
• Demonstrate a concern for effectiveness (e.g. proactively analyze current procedures and offer suggestions for possible improvements)
• Effective communications (e.g. respectful and courteous in all verbal and non-verbal communications)
• Creative and self-motivated
• Willing to carry out tasks and respond to situations as they arise with minimal supervision
• Ability to prioritize tasks to manage multiple projects, adapting as needed to changing priorities, deadlines, and instructions
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior
• Works in an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable manner
• Displays a positive attitude toward and enthusiasm for functioning as a part of a high-performance team
• Understands and continuously learns about a broad range of issues related to habitat restoration and living resources and is able to condense that knowledge into forms that are easily understood by partners and the general public

Work Environment

Work shall be performed in office environments and at the nursery.   Office work will vary between TEP’s main office in Garibaldi and TEP’s nursery.  TEP’s main office is located in the Port of Garibaldi. TEP’s native plant nursery is located in the Port of Tillamook.  (The two locations are approximately 20-minutes apart by car.)  Work spaces at TEP’s nursery include a pole barn, green house, shade houses, an office trailer, and extensive areas exposed to the elements.    

TEP’s native plant nursery is adjacent to a minimum-security youth detention facility.  The NPN Coordinator shall be engaging with at-risk, incarcerated youth who are under guarded supervision by the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA).  The NPN Coordinator shall be expected to follow all OYA safety, security, and COVID-19 requirements.

Work assignments may require walking and standing most of the day, bending, crawling, kneeling, lifting up to 30 pounds, pulling, reaching, sitting, stooping, handling soil and fertilizer, walking on uneven surfaces, recording and entering data, and contending with adverse weather conditions requiring special clothing and safety precautions. 

TEP’s full-time staff typically work four 10-hour days each week, 7:00am – 5:30pm, Mondays through Thursdays.  Evening and weekend work may be required occasionally to support TEP.  The NPN Coordinator position is eligible to work a hybrid schedule in accordance with TEP’s Workplace Policies:  work up to half of the regularly scheduled work hours remotely.  The hybrid option will be discussed with the successful candidate upon hire.

This position is subject to all TEP policies including, but not limited to, those provided in the Employee Handbook, Fiscal Policy, safety protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). This position is subject to a pre-employment background check and periodic background checks during employment. 

Travel during work hours for this position will usually be <100 miles per month.  TEP currently has only one vehicle, which is typically unavailable for this position.  Most employees use their personal vehicles for company-related travel.  TEP reimburses its employees for their personal vehicle usage during company-related travel, excluding commuting to and from work, at the IRS standard mileage rate.  The NPN Coordinator shall need to show proof of a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance at the time of hire, and maintain a valid license and insurance for the duration of employment with TEP. 

If you rely on public transportation, note that buses to the Port of Tillamook Bay are limited and may not coincide with the work hours required for this position.  Also note that buses do not stop directly in front of TEP’s office or  the nursery in either Port, and that getting from the nearest stop through the Port and over railroad tracks is required.  Tillamook County is a small, rural community without Uber or Lyft, and extremely limited taxi service.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $37,200 - $53,000 per year, based on a 40-hr week work schedule.    Actual offer of compensation shall be dependent upon experience.  TEP processes payroll on a monthly basis. 

This position is eligible for enrollment in TEP’s comprehensive benefits package. Details on benefits can be provided to candidates during the interview process.     An overview of TEP’s current benefits package for full-time employees includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Health Insurance (TEP pays 100% for employee, 80% for spouse and dependent children)
• Retirement Program – TEP contributes an additional 7% of the employee’s salary into a 401k, with tiered vesting structure based on years of employment with TEP; employee may also contribute to 401k)
• Holidays – 10 federal holidays plus 2 floating holidays
• Vacation – Approx 10.5 days per year (accrual system to be explained upon hire)
• Professional development/training budget:  $1250 per year

Application Process:

To apply, please submit the following documents as either .pdf or Word files.by email:

1. A resume.  Applicant's contact information must include mailing address, phone number, and email address.  
2. A statement of qualifications and interest.  The statement of qualifications should describe the applicant’s relevant experience and interest in the position and should not exceed two full, single spaced pages. 
3. Three professional references.  Each reference must include the person's name, email address, phone number (if within this United States), and the person's affiliation (link to your resume).  

Please email application materials to Dr. Kristi Foster, Executive Director at kristi@tbnep.org. Applications will be accepted until 5:00pm (Pacific Time), Friday, June 30, 2023.   Incomplete or late applications will not be considere

TEP will review applications in early July.  All applicants will be contacted by email and advised whether or not they are proceeding to the interview phase of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted in person or via Zoom, depending on the applicant’s location.  The preferred start date for this position is in August, 2023; the exact date shall be agreed upon by the successful candidate and TEP.

Tillamook Estuaries Partnership is an equal opportunity employer.  TEP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, or sex in administration of its programs or activities, and, TEP does not intimidate or retaliate against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights to participate in actions protected, or oppose action prohibited, by State of Oregon and Federal civil rights and non-discrimination laws, or for the purpose of interfering with such rights.