Native Plant Production Intern

**Job Summary: ** Assist in all aspects of native plant greenhouse and nursery production operations, including site and material preparation, plant production and maintenance, and general operational maintenance and upkeep. **Education, Qualifications, Licenses, Certifications, Registrations: ** - Interest working with plants and has a passion for native plants and the mission/values of PINP. Working Conditions / Physical Requirements: The majority of work is anticipated to take place in outdoor/exposed work environments, including climate-controlled greenhouse and outdoor environments. Some work may occur in an indoor office environment. Employees needs to be comfortable/able to: - Work in variety of exposed environmental conditions, including but not limited to, heat, sun, cold, precipitation, ice, mud, wind, and dust. - Bend, reach, and lift up to 60lbs at short intervals - Complete physically arduous, repetitive tasks for extended intervals - Work with and around chemicals, fertilizers, and other potentially hazardous substances used in commercial growing operations. Employee WILL NOT be using or applying any Restricted-Use Pesticides. Responsibilities, Duties: Employee will assist in all aspects of commercial native plant greenhouse and nursery operations. Specific duties and tasks will vary, and change, depending on the season, species under production, and other operational needs. Responsibilities and duties (may) include: - Native plant propagation and production. Tasks may include: - Seed native plant seeds in necessary containers according to specific propagation protocol - Maintain seedbeds for germination - Maintain (watering, fertilizing, monitoring) plants in accordance with specific protocols and procedures - Keep detailed records according to established inventory systems - General operational maintenance and upkeep - Maintain sanitary and hygienic production areas, clean production materials and tools - Monitor, treat, and document pests in accordance with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan protocols and practices - Assist in researching native plant physiology/ecology and existing propagation methods - Assist the development and implementation of propagation experiments, protocols, or methods - Site and material preparation. Tasks may include: - Repair/replace fencing - Install mulch and/or ground fabric - Clean/prepare greenhouse and grow-out area - Wash/sterilize production containers - Stock production containers with growing media - Assist Manager and Directors in Sales and Marketing. Tasks may include: - Receive and respond to client inquiries via email or telephone - Prepare and send invoices to clients - Prepare products for pick-up and/or shipments (UPS or through PICS). - Prepare fliers and ads for plants sales for local newspaper and social media outlets - Prepare and organize one Spring, Summer, and Fall local plant sale as able - Create weekly posts for social media outlets related to native species in production for public outreach - Assist Manager with Workshops, presentations, and community outreach. Tasks may include: - Collaborate with local non-profits and other entities to provide educational presentations related to native plants as able. - Create and organize content for workshops and presentations - Site and material preparation. Tasks may include: - Repair/replace fencing - Install mulch and/or ground fabric - Clean/prepare greenhouse and grow-out area - Wash/sterilize production containers - Stock production containers with growing media - General operational maintenance and upkeep: - Maintain sanitary and hygienic production areas; clean production materials and tools - Obtain pesticide applicator license (time available nder PINP) - Monitor, treat, and document pests in accordance with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan protocols and practices - Assist in researching native plant physiology/ecology and existing propagation methods - Assist the development and implementation of propagation experiments, protocols, or methods - Gain native plant knowledge through use of PINP's cultural list, tables, and other resources to learn and share identification and cultural information of all plants grown by PINP - Other tasks and opportunities: - Participate in opportunities with PINP clients/collaborators as they arise - Learn and understand native plant material seed/cutting collection protocols and work with manager or director to collect in the field as able