State Forest Nursery Technician

State of Iowa • Ames - 50010 - Story County, IA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hiring two State Forest Nursery Technicians to help produce more than one million tree and shrub seedlings annually at the State Forest Nursery. The technicians work through nearly every stage of seedling production, from seed collection and preparation through seedling care, harvest, grading, packaging, storage, and shipping. The seedlings support conservation projects across Iowa, including wildlife habitat, water-quality protection, erosion control, windbreaks, native-landscape restoration, and forest growth.

This is a hands-on position involving outdoor work, equipment operation, maintenance, recordkeeping, purchasing, and leadership of seasonal and inmate work crews. Technicians apply pesticides and herbicides as directed, maintain nursery systems and facilities, and assist with operational and budget planning. The position requires obtaining a Class A Commercial Driver’s License within the first six months of employment and a Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License within the first three months.

Requirements

• Meet the stated minimum qualifications: three years of full-time experience in facilities maintenance involving plumbing, electrical, and/or heating and cooling, or technical work in a biological, horticultural, conservation, or natural-resources program; an equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute 30 semester hours of qualifying college coursework for each year of required experience; or current continuous State Executive Branch experience including the equivalent of 12 months full-time as a Natural Resources Technician 1.
• Meet at least one stated forestry or related-field selective qualification: 12 semester hours, six months of continuous full-time experience, or a combination in specified forestry subjects; or six months of experience in urban forestry, horticulture, arboriculture, or plant nursery work; or 12 semester hours in specified forestry, horticulture, arboriculture, soil science, urban forestry, or plant-science subjects.
• Obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License within the first six months of employment.
• Obtain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License within the first three months of employment.
• Demonstrate the listed critical job competencies: accountability, integrity, high productivity, customer focus, interpersonal skills, teamwork, communication, and technical skills in forestry and nursery operations.

Nice To Haves

• Training and demonstrated success working with urban or community forestry projects.
• Experience with tree selection, planting, and maintenance.
• Experience working with contractors and preparing detailed program reports.

Responsibilities

• Collect, purchase, and prepare seed for storage and planting.
• Grow and care for tree and shrub seedlings through irrigation, fertilizing, mulching, weed control, pest identification, and pesticide or herbicide application as directed.
• Operate and maintain the irrigation system.
• Operate nursery and forestry equipment and vehicles safely, including tractors, forklifts, mowers, chainsaws, trucks, irrigation and spray equipment, seedling-lifting equipment, and hand tools.
• Help harvest seedlings by undercutting and lifting them from nursery beds and transporting them to grading and storage areas.
• Direct seasonal employees, inmate work crews, and part-time staff in planting, nursery maintenance, lifting, grading, sorting, packaging, and shipping.
• Organize cooler storage and coordinate seedling grading, packaging, shipping, and transportation to customers.
• Maintain and organize equipment in proper working condition, and perform routine maintenance on equipment, buildings, and grounds.
• Maintain nursery records, databases, and spreadsheets for growing, grading, and shipping operations.
• Prepare reports and purchase orders for the Nursery Manager.
• Analyze budgets and assist with fiscal management and budget planning.
• Purchase goods, supplies, and services needed to maintain nursery operations.
• Perform mowing, snow removal, and general facility upkeep.

Benefits

• Insurance benefits begin the first day of the month following 30 days of employment; stated premiums can start at $64 per month for single coverage and $210 per month for family coverage.
• Separate vacation and sick leave accruals begin on the first day of employment and can roll over annually.
• Nine paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
• Optional deferred compensation 457/401A plan with employer match.
• Professional training opportunities.
• Employee discount programs, including vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, and counseling discounts.
• Flexible work schedules, as approved by the supervisor.
• The State’s total compensation package is stated to include benefits worth about 30% of total compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed