NURSERY SUPERVISOR

SUMMARY / OBJECTIVE

The Tree Maintenance Supervisor is a hands-on, working supervisor who leads and works alongside the nursery crews responsible for tree trimming, pruning, planting, shifting, loading, and pest scouting across our 100-acre tree nursery. Reporting to and supporting the Nursery Manager, this role plans and distributes daily work, trains and coaches field staff, and enforces safety and quality standards while producing the highest-quality trees. The supervisor is expected to work in the field with the crews on a daily basis, not just direct from a distance.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Leadership & Daily Operations

• Work with Nursery Manager to set program – once set lead the execution of the program of planting trees on time and in full to the budget.
• Plan, organize, and distribute crew workflow to stay on schedule.
• Lead and work hands-on alongside the tree maintenance, planting, shifting, and scouting crews, supervising for quality, productivity, and safety throughout the day.
• Explain and teach work assignments; demonstrate the correct method for each task.
• Train, orient, and coach new and existing employees in company procedures and best practices.
• Record required data, track daily tree counts, and enter information into the production tracking system. Accountable to daily accurate inventory.
• Review timesheets and attendance records; address performance or disciplinary concerns and escalate as needed.
• Meet production targets (On Time, In Full to budget) and uphold the nursery's standards of quality and service; take pride in the crew's work.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Trimming & Pruning

• Carry out and enforce corrective, structural, and holding-system pruning programs in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate proper pruning technique and verify pruning quality across crews.

Planting & Shifting

• Plan, coordinate, and conduct planting and shifting as directed, moving trees of identical pot size to assigned sections according to the shifting plan.
• Monitor shifting and planting quality, including planting depth, soil-mix and pot selection by species, starter-kit quality, spacing, and trees completed per day.
• Oversee repotting in the appropriate soil mix and pot per tree type and specification; apply the color-coding / flagging system for transplant.
• Fill availability and load rows to specification and keep product rows separate from sales-availability crops.
• Provide for efficient, safe, and orderly product movement via trailer and other equipment.

Scouting & Plant Health

• Scout crops regularly and identify pest, disease, and nutritional symptoms on trees, palms, and woody ornamentals.
• Perform tree identification and verify all species for correct plant identification.
• Report findings promptly and coordinate treatment and follow-up with the Nursery Manager / plant health.
• Monitor irrigation and soil moisture on a regular basis in each zone.

Safety, Equipment & Housekeeping

• Teach, demonstrate, and enforce safe work practices and proper PPE use; identify and correct hazards; report all injuries to the Nursery Manager.
• Monitor equipment operators to ensure safe operation; occasionally operate farm equipment.
• Maintain stock of supplies; maintain tools and equipment, reporting mechanical, safety, or inventory issues promptly and ensuring tools are cleaned and returned daily.
• Enforce cleanliness of the farm and work areas; ensure sections are cleaned daily and materials (bamboo, tape, buckets, etc.) are organized for reuse or removal.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• 3 years of prior tree farm, nursery, or greenhouse experience (or closely related field).
• Minimum of 1 year in a lead or supervisory role, with the ability to assign duties, train workers, and give feedback.
• Familiarity with tree maintenance and corrective/structural pruning practices.
• Knowledge of tree species identification and basic pest, disease, and nutritional symptom recognition.
• Bilingual (English / Spanish).
• Ability to perform simple numerical operations such as counting and to communicate and follow directions effectively.
• Computer literacy sufficient for data entry and production tracking.
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills to write and to operate small hand tools and farm equipment.
• Strong work ethic, organizational skills, and the ability to work in a nursery environment.

REQUIRED LICENSES / HOURS OF WORK & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Pesticide Applicator License a plus (and may be required within the first 180 days if the role includes performing applications).
• Full-time position. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, approximately 40-50 hours per week; occasional evening and weekend work may be required based on operational needs.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly, and to sit, stand, bend, and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to drive and operate farm vehicles and equipment such as trucks, tractors, mules, and forklifts.
• Regular exposure to outdoor conditions — heat, cold, rain, humidity, direct sunlight, pollen, and dust — as well as wet or muddy conditions, uneven terrain, and moving mechanical equipment.

Benefits:

• 401(k) 3% Match
• Paid time off

Experience:

• prior tree farm, nursery, or greenhouse: 3 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Required)
• English (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License and clean driving record (Required)
• Pesticide Applicator's License (Preferred)

Work Location: In person