Ocala GRMA Orchard Manager overseeing the health and productivity of USDA Forest Service orchards. Collaborating with the USDA to maintain quality and manage seed production initiatives.
About the role
- Orchard Manager overseeing USDA Forest Service orchards and seed production areas located in Mississippi. Responsible for developing and managing cultural practices for healthy and productive orchards and native plant production areas.
Responsibilities
- Management of Seed Orchards and Seed Production Areas (70-85%) Managing orchards, seed production areas, native plant production areas at the Erambert and Black Creek GRMAs. Managing orchards to produce cone and acorn crops, monitoring phenology, collecting, processing and shipping cones and acorns. Managing seed orchard health and productivity. Control of weeds and orchard understory and dead tree removal. Application of herbicides and pesticides. Operation and maintenance of tractor & skid steer with implements, tree shaker, lift boom and other heavy equipment. Contracting and coordinating orchard operations such as thinning, road maintenance, and fencing. Assisting with writing genetic management strategies. Application of fertilization regimes to meet project objectives. Monitoring for insect and disease damage, determining treatment options, and implementing treatments. Establishing new seed orchard plantings. Propagating and cultivating plant species used in revegetation projects (e.g., rivercane). Collecting and grafting of scion to rootstock and out-planting. Establishing and maintaining tree conservation plantings. Collecting soil or foliar samples for nutrient analysis and interpreting results. Collecting, maintaining, and managing data gathered on orchard trees and cone crops. Recording growth and phenology measurements. Managing facilities and equipment associated with seed orchards. Assisting the USDA Forest Service in developing work plans for the GRMA and production or quality standards. Maintaining and updating Seed Orchard Management Plan and Seed Orchard Technical Training Guides. Creating orchard maps and tagging trees in the orchard. Promoting and ensuring safe fire practices within the orchard environment Writing of annual reports outlining orchard activities and accomplishments
- Management of Progeny Field Tests (0 - 15%) Managing progeny field tests in partnership with USDA Forest Service silviculturists. Maintaining and monitoring for damaging agents and determining the need for control methods. Monitoring growth for cone production. Monitoring insects and diseases or other genetically controlled damaging agents. Collecting soil and foliage samples.
- Partnership & Coordination (10%) Serving as the on-site liaison between American Forests and the USDA Forest Service. Coordinating closely with Forest Service staff, including regional geneticist, zone geneticist, and silviculturists, to align seed production goals with regional and national priorities. Submitting timely progress reports, data summaries, and documentation, as needed. Participating in regional meetings and events as needed to support reforestation and seed strategy goals Participating in interdisciplinary teams, staff and safety meetings, as well as applicable trainings opportunities Maintaining compliance with environmental and safety guidelines.
- Other Duties as Assigned (5%): Reviewing, recommending, and initiating development activities at the GRMA in cooperation with the Regional Geneticist. Preparing presentations and/or reports to explain overall genetic resource management and seed orchards. assisting with developing budgetary needs. Co-hosting seed orchard management workshops. Assisting American Forests’ staff in the delivery of relevant in-person meetings, conferences, and events. Conducting public presentations at conferences and meetings. Planning and leading site visits and field tours as appropriate.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, horticulture, botany, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
- At least 3 years of experience in orchard management, forestry nursery operations, silviculture, or seed production.
- Knowledge of genetic resources and seed orchard management, forest genetics and tree improvement methods, and forestry, silviculture, and nursery procedures.
- Skills needed to safely operate a tractor, skid steer, mowers, bucket trucks and lifts, ATVs, UTVs, hand tools, and other equipment.
- Experience independently planning, coordinating, and overseeing work plans.
- Adaptive mindset and ability to navigate work situations with high complexity.
- In-depth understanding of conventional techniques and practices to manage and grow improved trees.
- Strong communications skills and ability to communicate regularly with USDA Forest Service partners.
- Ability to perform field work that requires walking, standing, stooping, and bending up to eight hours per day. It also requires lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
- Willingness to work 80% outdoors with exposure to all types of weather.
- Strong organizational skills with experience managing field crews and multiple projects simultaneously.
- Proficiency in using field data collection tools and ArcGIS Pro software.
- Basic data management and record keeping skills
- Valid driver’s license and ability to acquire a USDA driver’s license.
Benefits
- Health and Wellness
- Work-Life Balance
- Financial and Retirement
- Medical, Dental, & Vision
- Vacation & Sick Leave
- 401(k) with Match
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid Holidays
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Disability Insurance
- Parental Bonding Leave
- Technology Stipend
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Bereavement Leave
- Pet Benefits
- Military Leave
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