JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Propagation and Restoration Technician

24 – 40 hours per week

About Watsonville Wetlands Watch: 

Watsonville Wetlands Watch is a non-profit agency, established in 1991, with mission to preserve, restore, and foster the appreciation of the wetlands of the Pajaro Valley. Our organizations headquarters are the Patrick J. Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center, on the campus of Pajaro Valley High School in Watsonville. Each year, our restoration programs restore and enhance over 1,000 acres of wetlands, their associated uplands and recreational trails throughout Watsonville and the greater Pájaro Valley and our education programs provide dynamic outdoor field experiences for over 2,500 Pájaro Valley youth. We also offer a wide range of free workshops, lectures, and tours for the community.  

As the primary wetland complex within the Pajaro Valley, the Watsonville Slough System is California’s third largest coastal freshwater wetland complex and supports 23 different native plants and animals that are threatened, endangered, or species of concern. The slough system underlies the City of Watsonville and surrounding agricultural and open space lands of the Pajaro Valley watershed.  Watsonville Wetlands Watch envisions a wetland ecosystem that thrives within Watsonville and the greater Pajaro Valley, and a community, which is at the center of its conservation. 

Position Overview: 

The Propagation and Restoration Technician support Watsonville Wetlands Watch's mission through the production of native plants for restoration projects, stewardship of native seed collections, coordination of nursery volunteers, and implementation of habitat restoration projects throughout the Pajaro Valley and Watsonville Slough System. This position plays a key role in ensuring a reliable supply of locally sourced native plants while also supporting community-based restoration and environmental education initiatives. 

This is a dynamic position that will provide an opportunity to collaborate with Watsonville Wetlands Watch staff and many partners to advance environmental restoration goals with a collaborative approach to achieving effective conservation outcomes.  We are committed to providing many professional development and skill building opportunities and gain experience working in a variety of settings. This position reports to the Restoration Director.   

For more information on program activities, please go to: https://www.watsonvillewetlandswatch.org/restoration 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Nursery 60%  

1)Coordinate and implement all aspects of native plant propagation, including seed collection, cleaning, storage, treatment, stratification, sowing, transplanting, division, cutting propagation, and nursery maintenance. 

2) Develop and maintain weekly, monthly, and seasonal propagation schedules to meet restoration project and plant sale production goals. 

3) Maintain accurate nursery inventory records, including seed stocks, propagation materials, plant inventory, and production tracking using spreadsheets 

4) Work closely with the Restoration Director on propagation needs and develop annual nursery production plans. 

5) Maintain native seed inventories and oversee stratification schedules to ensure timely propagation of priority species. 

6) Monitor plant health and implement best management practices related to watering, fertilization, pest management, disease prevention, and weed control 

7) Work to ensure effective and efficient nursery production practices.  Improve nursery efficiency and production through ongoing record keeping, and evaluation of propagation methods, scheduling systems, labeling protocols, and inventory management practices. 

8) Coordinate planning and production efforts for the annual native plant sale and other plant distribution events 

9) Train volunteers in native plant propagation, nursery operations, and restoration techniques and coordinate nursery volunteer workdays. 

10) Educate students and the community about restoration and nursery propagation. 

Workload may shift seasonally between nursery production, seed collection, volunteer coordination, restoration implementation, and monitoring activities depending on organizational priorities. 

Restoration 40% 

1) Implement environmental restoration projects on Watsonville Wetlands Watch managed projects including restoration of freshwater and tidal wetlands, coastal prairie and native grasslands, riparian corridors, wet meadows and marsh habitats.  

2) Implement environmental restoration and landscape management projects on working lands throughout the Pajaro Valley including active farms, urban trails, neighborhood parks and commercial and residential areas throughout the junction of the City of Watsonville and Watsonville Slough System and greater watershed area. 

3) Coordinate public participation in restoration projects and monthly volunteer days that provide opportunities for the public to take a hands-on approach to habitat restoration on Watsonville’s public and private lands.  Support the organization in advancing creative approaches to increasing community participation in restoration efforts.  

4) Oversee student field trips and school outreach associated with environmental restoration projects in coordination with the Watsonville Wetlands Watch education department. 

5) Assist in monitoring and mapping of restoration projects and associated parameters such as invasive species, re-vegetation success, water or wildlife monitoring. 

6) Support project reporting and plant population monitoring. 

7)  Work with other Watsonville Wetlands Watch staff to advance scientific investigation to support effective conservation and research.  Support WWW’s community science monitoring projects related to water quality, wetland ecology, bird populations, and ecological restoration. 

8) Work towards the ongoing and continued improvement of the organization and personal professional skill development. 

9) Maintain vehicles, tools, equipment, and field supplies in good working order. 

Follow organizational safety protocols 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and EXPERIENCE 

We are looking for a team player who is creative, can work independently, and has an interest in improving the restoration and stewardship of the environment of the Watsonville area and Monterey Bay.   

Required Qualifications: 

• A.A., B.S. or B.A. degree in a related field or demonstrated applicable work experience in managing and implementing habitat restoration or similar types of projects  
• Experience in native plant propagation, nursery management of native plants or other plants, horticulture, restoration ecology, botany, agriculture, environmental science, or a related field. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public 
• Knowledge of and experience with CA native plants and environmental restoration or environmental horticulture or agroecology techniques 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team  
• Valid CA driver license and clean driving record  
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. 
• 1-2 years of nursery or related field experience and knowledge of related procedures and processes 
• knowledge of production procedures 

Desirable Skills Include: 

• Spanish language fluency or proficiency  
• Experience working with or supervising volunteers others 
• Experience working with volunteers 
• Experience with environmental monitoring such as with plant population monitoring or water quality, bird populations, amphibian populations, etc. 

Hours and Compensation 

This is a 24 - 40 hrs./wk position.  The starting hourly pay range is $24 - $29 per hour. Benefits include health care, vacation, sick time, and an employer retirement plan with a 3% employer matching contribution, pro-rated based on hours worked.  Compensation is commensurate with experience. 

APPLICATION: Interested and qualified candidates should provide the following via email to hr@watsonvillewetlandswatch.org.   Initial candidate review is planned to begin the week of July 20th, with open recruitment continuing until the position is filled.

• Cover letter describing your interest and qualifications in this

Applicants only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.

Watsonville Wetlands Watch is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Candidates for the position will be required to pass a finger-printing through the Pajaro Valley Unified School district.