Native Plant Nursery Intern

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Full-time, 12 months, Housing + Stipend

 

Are you passionate about nature, do you love working outdoors and are you interested in learning about ecological restoration? Are you excited to work with a broad range of audiences through native plant propagation and community-based volunteer programs?

 

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is the country’s largest urban national park, encompassing 80,000 acres of California coastal landscape. The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is the non-profit support partner of the GGNRA. The mission of the Parks Conservancy Nursery Program is to provide native plants for Park restoration efforts, to be a community and educational resource, and to inspire community land stewardship. Together, the Park nurseries are one of the largest producers of native plants in the area.

 

POSITION OVERVIEW

During a one-year position at one of the nursery sites, interns will participate in all aspects of the community-based restoration nurseries alongside Nursery staff. As a nursery intern, you will be introduced to many aspects of nursery management- plant propagation, pest and disease control, and facility maintenance. Interns will gain experience in botany, horticulture, environmental education, habitat restoration, and community engagement. Interns will participate in community stewardship and gain valuable experience in the development and leadership of volunteer programs for a range of audiences. Interns are an integral part of the diverse Nursery Program and are valued participants in the Park.

 

NURSERY SITES

THE PRESIDIO NURSERY: 2 internship positions available

Located in the Presidio of San Francisco, CA, this nursery grows over 60,000 plants annually for coastal scrub, sand dune, grassland, and forest habitat restoration projects.

 

THE MARIN HEADLANDS NURSERY: 1 internship position available

Located in Fort Cronkhite, this nursery grows over 40,000 plants annually for coastal scrub, wetland, grassland, Redwood forest and riparian habitat restoration projects.

THE FORT FUNSTON AND OCEANA NURSERIES: 1 internship position available

Located in San Francisco and Pacifica, CA these nurseries grow over 30,000 plants annually for sand dune, coastal scrub, grassland, and wetland habitat restoration projects.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plant Propagation: Assist with seed collection, growing and after-care of native plants for restoration. This includes:

• Collect, process, and store plant materials for propagation.
• Propagate native plants: sow seeds, process cuttings, transplant seedlings.
• Perform routine plant maintenance: monitor, water, weed, fertilize, prune and move plants.
• Perform tasks related to facility improvements, repair, and maintenance.
• Maintain accurate records and complete nursery database entry in a complex information tracking system.
• Adhere to Best Management Practices to manage for plant pathogens.
• Time provided, develop an independent project on a plant research topic, mapping or other applicable natural resources subject of mutual benefit to the intern and the program.

Community Programs: Assist with all aspects of managing a volunteer program and coordinating outreach. This includes:

• Support and co-lead weekly volunteer and education programs.
• Train new volunteers and students in plant identification and nursery practices.
• Develop and perform outdoor presentations to engage a variety of audiences, including youth, while promoting conservation and habitat restoration.
• Recruit, coordinate, and retain volunteers.  
• Record and enter volunteer program records into the database.
• Take and organize digital images.
• Participate in Park public events and programs.
• Time provided, assist other team members with habitat restoration activities including removal of invasive plants, planting of natives and other site maintenance activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Passion, curiosity, and enthusiasm for horticulture and native plants  and/or a degree in botany, environmental studies, natural sciences, horticulture or another related field.
• Familiarity with plant identification and taxonomic keys.
• Strong commitment to the preservation and protection of native plant and wildlife communities on public lands.
• A self-starter – ability to work independently with little supervision in a motivated manner.
• Ability to accurately transcribe information and data accurately, with great attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience or interest in working with or leading volunteers or education programs and the desire and ability to supervise, train and inspire others.
• Desire to work in a team and to work with a diversity of people of different backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, sexual orientations, ages, and viewpoints.
• Familiarity with using basic computer programs (Microsoft Suite) and database systems, experience with Photoshop/ InDesign, and GIS a plus.
• A valid driver’s license in good standing, experience driving for 2 or more years with ability to drive a truck on both unpaved roads and city streets. Experience driving large vehicles is a plus.
• Bi-lingual skills are a plus.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

• Work is primarily performed outdoors with some indoor office work depending on the season. Must enjoy working outside in various conditions while maintaining a positive attitude.
• The position requires periods of standing, walking, and climbing.
• Ability to lift, carry and position objects weighing up to 30 pounds.
• This position requires regular use of disinfectants to maintain healthy plant production. The intern will regularly be required to wear personal protective equipment provided by the nursery.

 

BENEFITS

• Opportunities for professional development days to pursue classes or other applicable events.

• Gain leadership experience, marketable skills, and restoration experience at a highly respected non-profit organization with a model partnership between two federal agencies.
• Opportunities to participate in and strengthen unique partnerships with educational institutions throughout San Francisco and Marin.
• Opportunities to work with staff and volunteers from diverse backgrounds that share a common interest in preserving and protecting our natural lands while engaging the next generation of park stewards.
• Opportunity to live in and enjoy the scenery, wildlife and cultural resources of a spectacular National Park.
• Learn valuable skills in nursery and volunteer management, and community engagement.

 

TERMS

Application Deadline: November 9, 2015

Start Date: January 12, 2016

Length of Position: 12-month commitment

Schedule: 40 hours per week, Tuesday - Saturday schedule

Stipend: Weekly taxable per diem stipend of $150/week is provided with no-cost housing OR $275/week is provided without housing if your permanent residence is less than 50 miles from San Francisco, CA.

Housing:  Housing is provided in a dormitory-style building in the Marin Headlands or Presidio with basic accommodations including a furnished private room, shared kitchen, and common areas.  Interns must sign a housing contract, abide by the residential rules and contribute to the maintenance of the household.

 

TO APPLY

Email a cover letter, resume and at least two references in a single attachment to nurseriesggnpc@gmail.com. PDF format is preferred but Microsoft Word versions are acceptable.

 

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy endeavors to build a staff which reflects the diversity of our Bay Area community. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.