Nursery Production Manager
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.
The Forestry Division of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) ensures the sustainability of Montana forests, rural lands, and communities through cooperative wildland fire protection and sound forest management practices; protects the state's natural resources from wildfire, insect pests, and disease; sustains or improves the natural resources of private forestland for the good of all Montanans; promotes and supports conservation practices on all lands in Montana; enforces the State's forest practices laws in a manner that is both fair and consistent to all parties and that complies with the intent of the legislation; and encourages the maintenance, planting, and management of trees and shrubs in Montana communities. The Division consists of the Fire Protection Bureau, the Forestry Assistance Bureau, Good Neighbor Authority Bureau, the Forestry Division Administrative Office, and six area offices located throughout the state.
Forestry Assistance provides resources, tools, and forestry expertise to create resilient forests, sustainable economies, and vibrant communities.
There are seven inter-related programs within Forestry Assistance that are delivered across the state. Bureau staff in Missoula lead, support, and build capacity to enable program delivery by the Land Offices, Unit Offices, Service Foresters and other personnel committed to the mission of the program. This framework facilitates program delivery that is aligned with state level strategies and priorities but customized for the unique conditions in each of the field areas.
The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. Montana DNRC (mt.gov)
Job Overview
This position is responsible for managing all aspects of seedling production at the Department’s Conservation Seedling Nursery, including production agriculture practices, business and fiscal operations, and personnel and staff management. The position reports to the Nursery Program Manager and directly or indirectly manages Nursery personnel involved with the production and sales of products.
Success in the position requires working with the Nursery Program Manager to deliver on reforestation and planting related goals of the Montana Forest Action Plan and the Forestry Assistance Bureau Strategic Plan, and Nursery specific strategic goals to improve efficiency, sustainability and profitability of the Nursery operation.
Application and Selection Process
The DNRC may include the following factors in determining whether an applicant meets the qualifications of a position vacancy: State of MT application form, cover letter, current resume, educational requirements, structured interview, a performance test, job-related reference checks, job-related work experience, job-related past and current performance.
Application Materials Required for This Position
- Online State of Montana application
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- References
- Supplemental Questions
Supplemental Questions
Please answer the following supplemental questions. This provides you an opportunity to present more complete and specific details regarding your qualifications. The responses should be clear and concise since the hiring team may view them as a sample of your written communication skills. This supplement is reviewed separately from the state application form and is part of the evaluation process.
- What challenges are you looking for in this position?
- What opportunities do you see for forest seedling nurseries?
- What factors or considerations do you think are most important for reforestation and nursery production, currently and in the near future?
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Production and Operations
Plans and implements seedling production at the Montana Conservation Seedling Nursery to meet goals and objectives of the DNRC Forestry Division. Develops cost-effective strategies for accomplishing Department goals to meet the growing demand for conservation seedlings in Montana and the intermountain west. Success in the position requires developing and implementing annual production plans; directing the ongoing administration of Nursery production; continuously evaluating and enhancing products, and services; establishing policies and procedures; conducting outreach and education; establishing annual retail prices for Nursery products based on production costs; and serving as the Department’s technical expert on Nursery production operations. Some travel, including overnight, will be required.
Critical areas of responsibility include:
- Planning, scheduling and implementing container and bareroot operations to fulfill contracted orders and meet expected demand from general sales customers.
- Managing all production operations to produce high-quality seedlings, using tested and traditional methods as well as new and innovative approaches for sowing, irrigation, thinning, weed control, managing plant health, growth and development, packing seedlings for storage and delivery.
- Managing seed procurement, processing, inventory and storage.
Nursery Administration
This position manages Nursery program budgets, policies, and equipment to ensure efficient and cost- effective operations, compliance with statutory responsibilities and related laws, sale of nursery products covers all nursery expenses. Manages the development and maintenance of the Nursery infrastructure, including buildings, vehicle fleet, roads, grounds and agricultural resources, and equipment to ensure safe, efficient and continuous production operations.
Specific tasks include:
- Prepare the Nursery program’s biennial budgets using past expense trends, current operational factors, and expected future trends.
- Ensure rules, policies, procedures, and guidelines for Nursery operations comply with state and federal requirements.
- Interpret and apply effective business management strategies to support continued operation of the Nursery as state proprietary fund entity.
- Provide current reliable data and information to the Nursery Program manager to support statewide program delivery, evaluation of operations, business strategy and long-term operational viability.
- Establish annual retail prices for Nursery products based upon production costs, projected revenues and cash flow analysis, new and potential partnerships, sales opportunities, competing products, overall product quality, and customer needs.
- Manage contracted services associated with the Nursery operation including developing requests for proposals, reviewing and coordinating vendor service contracts, and monitoring and evaluating work undertaken by contractors on projects.
Staff Management
This position serves as the lead for Nursery operations. Supervisory responsibility includes direct and indirect management of Nursery personnel in accordance with Department and state procedures and policies. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring Nursery personnel are properly supervised and trained to work safely, and efficiently to produce and sell quality agricultural products.
Specific Tasks include:
- Establish and approve overall responsibilities of nursery positions, direct and indirect supervision of staff.
- Determine training needs and facilitates training and development opportunities.
- Identify staffing needs, recruit and hire employees, and allocate human resources to adequately support the ongoing operations and activities of the Nursery. Recommends and justifies requests for additional personnel as necessary.
Other Duties
This position may be required to perform a variety of other duties in support of ongoing Bureau and Division goals and objectives. This includes directing special projects, attending meetings and conferences, and participating in ongoing trainings as directed.
Staff Management: Directly supervises 5 FTE.
*If you are interested in a complete job description please contact HR at Jennifer.Downing@mt.gov.
What are some benefits that you can expect from working at DNRC?
- Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
- Health Coverage
- Retirement Plans
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
- This position typically requires education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in plant sciences.
- Plus five (5) year of applied experience in a seedling nursery plus two (2) years of business management experience.
- Alternate combinations of experience may also be considered.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:
Work is performed indoors and outdoors at an agricultural production facility, greenhouse facilities, and a professional office environment. The ability to perform strenuous activity in all weather conditions is required. The incumbent must be able to lift heavy loads up to 65 pounds, bend, and maneuver self and supplies in close quarters and move between the central Nursery and various outbuildings throughout the course of normal work. The position will require work in early mornings or late evenings and weekends depending on weather and greenhouse conditions.
SPECIAL INFORMATION: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.
ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".
Hours
Full-Time
Pay Scale
$30.99 / hour
