Orchard Manager, Ocala GRMA

American Forests•Washington, DC

8d•$56,000 - $76,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Ocala GRMA Orchard Manager is a full-time position responsible for development, planning, and application of cultural practices that support the health and productivity of USDA Forest Service orchards, seed production areas (SPAs) and native plant production areas (NPPAs) located at the Ocala Genetic Resource Management Areas (GRMA) on the National Forests of Florida, Ocala National Forest. In partnership with the USDA Forest Service, this position will be responsible for the management of orchards, SPAs, NPPAs and associated resources (e.g. roads, gates, fencing), facilities, and equipment on the Ocala GRMA. The Orchard Manager’s responsibility will be to maintain the health of the orchards, SPAs and NPPAs; to produce and harvest high quality, genetically diverse and site appropriate seed and plant material, and deliver these materials to the Forest Service to support reforestation initiatives on National Forests. Management of several different tree species (e.g., conifer and hardwood), and native plants will require implementing different processes to accomplish seed and plant material production objectives.

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 75% 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

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in relevant field.
Familiarity with USDA Forest Service handbooks, manuals, land use plans, and guides.
Familiarity with Southeastern Forest ecosystems and reforestation techniques.
Knowledge of management principles and practices related to program and workforce.

Responsibilities

Managing orchards, seed production areas, native plant production areas at the Ocala GRMA.
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 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., wiregrass, eel grass).
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.
Mapping and tagging trees in the orchard.
Creation of annual reports outlining orchard activities and accomplishments
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.
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 training and safety meetings
Maintaining compliance with environmental guidelines.
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.