Forest Nursery Laborer
Full-time, Non-Permanent, Represented position (WPEA)
Anticipated employment is December 2026 - March 2027
Salary: $3,195.00 - $4,201.00 Monthly

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Webster Nursery as a Forest Nursery Laborer.

Established on the current site in 1957, Webster Nursery now maintains 150 acres of tillable land and 75,000 square feet of climate-controlled greenhouses, providing varied opportunities to be part of growing our future forests. As a part of the Webster Forest Nursery team, this position performs physically demanding jobs to produce 8-15 million forest seedlings annually. The work is centered between agricultural and production systems to provide quality forest seedlings to Department of Natural Resources (DNR) foresters and the public. During the winter and spring months, peak workload requires the Forest Nursery Laborer to demonstrate both dependability and a strong work ethic; every team member is essential in the fast-paced environment of harvest, sorting, packaging, and shipping hundreds of thousands of seedlings a day. This position is chiefly responsible for loading pallets with 30- 50 lb. bags of seedlings, assembling and disassembling pallet frames, pallet repair, truck loading/unloading, and other various agricultural duties for seedling production. Work is conducted both indoors and outdoors in inclement weather.

Responsibilities:

• Quality assurance during packing 
• Lifting and moving 30- 50 lb. bags and boxes
• Properly utilizing hand tools and pallet jacks
• Reliability in attendance and punctuality 

Required Qualifications: 
You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience.  Please clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications. 

• Ability to consistently understand, respond to, and communicate in English.
• Basic math skills.
• Experience using standard hand tools to conduct repairs (examples: hammer, nails, crowbar, etc.).

Required Competencies: 

• Reliable and punctual work attendance.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.