About the Plant Production Manager Position

The Plant Production Manager will work under supervision of the Riparian Restoration Team Coordinator to assist the Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) to achieve its mission of protecting, conserving and restoring natural resources using a watershed approach. The successful candidate will work primarily to manage native plant production in WCRC’s nursery and greenhouse facilities (70%), in addition to coordinating and increasing their volunteer base (20%), and miscellaneous construction and maintenance activities (10%). This is a permanent, full-time, salaried position.

About Watershed Conservation Resource Center

The WCRC is a nonprofit organization in Fayetteville, Arkansas that strives to protect, conserve and restore natural resources by utilizing the watershed approach, environmental outreach and providing planning and technical assistance to landowners, communities and government. For 20 years, the WCRC has been committed to making a difference through conservation and restoration, specializing in ecological restoration with focus on streams and riparian areas. The WCRC has successfully restored over 40,000 feet of river and stream banks, with projects ranging from small urban streams to large rivers in Northwest Arkansas. Learn more at watershedconservation.org.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Greenhouse and Hoop House Plant Propagation
  • Maintain detailed records of propagation operations, determining rate of success, and making adjustments to increase propagation success
  • Create future operation schedule for plant production duties based on project needs
  • Coordinating with Riparian Restoration Team to locate and harvest native ecoregion-specific seed for propagation
  • Create seed germination schedule and protocols based on needs of individual species
  • Determine ways to propagate a variety of native species to be used on restoration projects
  • Seed tray creation, transplanting, and providing proper maintenance to increase success rate
  • Ensure vegetation is properly labeled
  • Order and maintain supply of growing materials needed for propagation (e.g., seed trays, pots, soil, irrigation equipment, etc.)
  • Maintain grounds and greenhouse and hoop house
• Nursery Plant Propagation
  • Maintain up-to-date inventory record of nursery plants
  • Maintain detailed records of maintenance, weeding, and culling activities
  • Propagate nursery plants using WCRC bare root stock
  • Develop irrigation and fertilization schedule based on specialized needs of inventoried species to increase rates of success
  • Develop improved potting soil
  • Maintain nursery grounds
• Outreach Duties  
  • Manage the WCRC Native Plant Program
    • Seek out partnerships with corporations to establish recurring volunteer pool and coordinate staff to assist volunteers
    • Organize and schedule groups of recurring volunteers
    • Track quantities of seed and plants produced through this program
  • Assist with creating and coordinating general outreach events to promote WCRC restoration work
  • Assist with set up of outreach events
  • Develop strategies to engage and increase volunteer involvement
  • Host monthly volunteer events open to the public at WCRC restoration sites or hoop house facilities
  • Organize and coordinate native plant sales to the public
• Construction/Maintenance Duties
  • Work with restoration project managers and engineers to assist with stream restoration construction activities as needed
  • Installation of erosion control materials (raking/spreading soil and installation of wooden stakes with sledgehammer) at restoration sites
  • Plant vegetation at restoration sites
  • Remove invasive species at existing project sites through chemical, mechanical, and manual methods
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in horticulture, botany, plant science, or closely related field
• Minimum two (2) years experience managing greenhouse or hoop house operations
• Experience keeping detailed inventory records
• Working knowledge of native plant communities
• Working knowledge of plant health and care
• Experience working outdoors
• Ability to lift and walk with at least 50 pounds for an extended period of time
• Possession of a valid driver’s license
• Ability to work independently and on a team
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

Preferred Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills

• Experience coordinating volunteers and outreach events
• Familiarity with irrigation equipment
• Ability to operate heavy equipment, particularly skid steer and mini excavator (or willingness to learn)
• Interest and enthusiasm for conservation and ecological restoration
• Knowledge of plant communities native to Northwest Arkansas
• Experience utilizing native plants for riparian restoration projects

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This position requires working full days outdoors with frequent exposure to hot and humid conditions, rugged terrain, swift moving water, loud heavy machinery, ticks and other biting insects, and wildlife. Physical requirements for this position are arduous. Occasional evening and weekend work hours may be required.

Expected Salary and Benefits

$40,000 to $55,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include:

• Paid leave time
• Matching retirement contributions
• Paid employee health insurance

About Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States. Located in the breathtaking Ozark Mountains, the region is home to excellent restaurants, museums, and outdoor recreation opportunities, including 500+ miles of mountain biking trails. Fayetteville, one of the four largest cities in the region and home to the University of Arkansas, is frequently ranked in the top 10 of U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Places to Live” list.

Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internships.