Nursery Developer and Greenhouse Assistant

Nursery Developer and Greenhouse Assistant:

The Nursery Developer and Greenhouse Assistant has three primary areas of responsibility and focus as related to the Groundwork Workforce Development Program and Appalachian Sustainable Development as a whole.

Area 1: Infrastructure development of the nursery system (alley cropping demonstration site, air prune box walkway, willows, etc). (45% estimated FTE)

Responsibilities for Area 1 Include:

• Physically manage and maintain the alley cropping demonstration site including the alleyways, rows, grown herbs, grown flowers, willow patch and irrigation system on ASD’s Singingwood Campus in Bristol, VA
• Fill planting gaps, make and carry out expansion plans for the alley cropping site as-needed
• Create and implement cover cropping plan for alleyways
• Develop and carry out maintenance and management plan for associated areas
• Build and iInstall air prune beds and other infrastructure in shaded walkways to supplement nursery growth Instead: Build, install, and maintain air pruning beds in existing outdoor nursery for production of 1 yr. bareroot tree and shrub seedlings
• Build, install and maintain hardwood cuttings boxes in outdoor nursery
• Collect and procure nursery seed, including Groundwork participants in the process when possible
• Operate relevant machinery and equipment, including but not limited to: hand tools, knives, pruners, weedeaters, zero turn mower, and walk-behind tractor with mower and tiller implements, adhering to safety protocols and using appropriate PPE
• Initiate regular meetings with the Agroforester in the early development of ASD’s nursery system (Bi weekly)
• Initiate regular meeting with the Director of Workforce Development on nursery progress (bi weekly)
• Initiate regular meetings with the Economic and Community Development Analyst regarding species, sales, marketing, and business development for the ASD Nursery (bi weekly)
• Provide nursery-based skills training to Groundwork participants as part of the Groundwork program, including plant propagation of various types, seed and stock plant identification and management, weeding and in-ground plant management, irrigation systems and workflow/maintenance cycles for nursery work, safety protocols for equipment operation, and utilizing appropriate PPE.
• Develop and update strategic plan for the Agroforestry Nursery with associated team

Area 2: Infrastructure development for the ASD Singingwood Greenhouse, the mobile flower market, and associated educational raised beds on ASD’s Singingwood Campus (40% estimated FTE)

• Plan and oversee the greenhouse infrastructure installation from fall of 2026 to winter 2027 to get the Singingwood Greenhouse operational year-round
• Collect bids on installation, contracting, and maintenance of the greenhouse
• Manage, maintain, clean, and tend the greenhouse on site at the Singingwood property every day
• Manage supply orders and delivery for greenhouse products, shelving, supplies, and other needs
• Manage budget needs for the Singingwood greenhouse
• Provide direct support for the ASD Late Bloomers spring plant sale on site through direct customer interaction and plant management
• Plan and oversee the mobile market flower wagon installation from winter of 27 to summer of 27 to prepare for summer flowers sales
• Develop a year round sale plan for items out of the Singingwood greenhouse such as autumnal flowers, spring plants, tulips, etc
• Coordinate with campus visitors to the greenhouse to showcase programming and site development
• Tend raised garden and plant beds around the Singingwood Greenhouse for presentability
• Maintain greenhouse and raised bed site area for cleanliness, safety, and presentability

Area 3: Participate and engage as part of the larger team of Appalachian Sustainable Development. (15% estimated FTE)

• Attend bi-weekly ASD Team Meetings
• Participate on (1) ASD major event (retreat, summit, etc) planning committee every 24 months
• Work and attend at least (2) general ASD outreach and fundraising events in each 12 month period outside of regular working hours
• Attend and participate in all major ASD mandatory events (retreats, summits, planning day
• Communicate time out of office via Google Calendar
• Participate and support ASD events related to fundraising and marketing
• Respond to requests from management and other program employees as needed

Job Location: 17444 Singingwood Lane Bristol, VA 24202

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $48,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) 3% Match
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $48,000 - $50,000