Native Plant Orchard Manager

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Position: Native Plant Orchard Manager

Position Status: Full-time 40 hrs/week

Location: Blueberry River First Nation in Northeast British Columbia

Reports to: General Manager, Grandmother’s Greenhouse

About Us

Aso’s Danaetl’Adze Kwa, meaning “Grandmother’s Greenhouse,” is a Blueberry River First Nation-owned native seed and seedling supply company supporting ecological restoration across Treaty 8 territory. Grandmother’s Greenhouse plays a key role in restoring and protecting the lands that sustain our communities, cultures, and traditional ways of life.

Our work focuses on collecting, propagating, and supplying native plants, seeds, and related materials that support restoration, biodiversity, and long-term environmental stewardship. We support restoration efforts led by Indigenous communities, industry partners, and environmental organizations working to repair landscapes impacted by development and environmental change.

As an Indigenous-owned business, we combine Indigenous knowledge systems with Western science to deliver effective restoration solutions grounded in both cultural values and research-based practices. Our holistic approach also supports community engagement, skills development, and long-term capacity building for ecological restoration across the region.

Position Overview

Reporting to the General Manager, the Native Plant Orchard Manager is responsible for the overall operation, development, and stewardship of Grandmother’s Greenhouse’s Native Plant Orchard program. This position provides leadership for daily field operations, crop production, irrigation, equipment, inventory management, seed and plant production, and seasonal workforce coordination.

The Native Plant Orchard Manager serves as the on-site operational lead for one of British Columbia’s largest native plant seed production initiatives, supporting restoration, reclamation, biodiversity, and Indigenous land stewardship across Treaty 8 territory. The successful candidate will combine practical agricultural and horticultural expertise with strong leadership, organizational, and planning skills to support the long-term success of the Native Plant Orchard program.

Key Responsibilities

Crop Production & Planting Operations

· Manage the full planting cycle across all production zones: site preparation, plug installation, live stake and cutting installation, cover crop seeding, and gap-fill campaigns

· Execute site preparation sequences including post-emergent herbicide application, soil cultivation, pre-emergent sprays, and microbial inoculant application at planting

· Oversee production across all zone types: live stake plantation (~37 acres), cuttings blocks, shrub SPA (~20 acres), herb/forb SPA (~21 acres), and hedgerows

· Maintain planting density compliance per zone and species; monitor crop health; identify early stress indicators, pest pressure, and establishment failures

· Manage cover crop programs in walkways and lanes; apply correct species mixes and sequencing appropriate to each zone

Live Stake & Cuttings Block Management

· Lead annual and multi-year pruning programs for Balsam Poplar, Bebb’s Willow, Sandbar Willow, and Red-osier Dogwood in the live stake plantation and cuttings blocks

· Develop and maintain annual cutting schedules to optimize stake and cutting yield, plant structure, and regrowth vigor

· Plan and execute live stake and cutting harvest campaigns — harvesting, sorting, bundling, cold storage, and delivery logistics

· Oversee coppicing and regrowth cycles; assess stand health and recommend replanting or renovation where needed

· Maintain production records by block: species, maternal line / seed lot, harvest yield, date, and quality metrics

· Coordinate with the GGH nursery team on target quantities and timing for annual cutting and live stake programs

Weed & Pest Management

· Develop and execute an integrated weed management plan across all production zones; adapt annually based on species pressure and zone-specific priorities

· Supervise hooded sprayer, broadcast sprayer, and related herbicide application equipment

· Manage post-establishment selective herbicide programs for persistent weeds; maintain application records as required by regulatory authorities

· Scout for insect pressure, disease, and wildlife damage; implement management responses in coordination with GGH leadership and ecological advisors

· Manage fencing systems for predator exclusion and sensitive area protection; coordinate installation and maintenance with contractors

· Apply weed suppression strategies

Irrigation — Operation & Maintenance

· Operate and maintain on-site irrigation infrastructure including drip systems, supply lines, main valves, zone controllers, and dugout pump systems

· Schedule and execute irrigation events consistent with species and zone requirements; minimize irrigation as canopies close to reduce weed pressure

· Monitor soil moisture, crop stress, and weather forecasts to calibrate irrigation decisions; adapt in-season to drought or heat dome conditions

· Coordinate water truck operations during early establishment before permanent infrastructure is fully operational

· Track cumulative water use by zone; maintain logs for

reporting and planning

· Flag infrastructure issues promptly; manage minor repairs and coordinate major repairs with the irrigation contractor

Labour Coordination & Crew Management

· Recruit, orient, schedule, and supervise seasonal field crews during planting and harvest periods; crews may range from 10 to 20+ workers during peak campaigns

· Develop and deliver crew briefings, daily task plans, and field safety orientations

· Coordinate with installation contractors during mobilization and intensive planting windows

· Manage labour logs, hours tracking, and productivity records; provide inputs to payroll processing

· Identify and develop emerging supervisors and crew leads; support BRFN workforce development priorities

· Foster a positive, respectful, and culturally safe workplace aligned with BRFN values

Equipment Operation & Maintenance

· Operate and maintain farm equipment including tractor, cultivator/subsoiler, ride-behind water wheel planter, hooded and broadcast sprayers, mowers, and utility vehicles

· Develop and implement a seasonal equipment maintenance schedule; perform routine servicing and minor repairs; coordinate major repairs with service providers

· Maintain equipment logs (hours, service records, fuel use); identify and report replacement needs to management

· Manage secure equipment and materials storage; ensure storage is weather-protected, organized, and safely accessible

Soil Health & Amendments

· Monitor soil conditions across all production zones; track cultivation depth relative to plow pan and species root zone requirements

· Apply microbial inoculants via water wheel planter at planting; maintain inoculant application records by block

· Flag soil health concerns (compaction, drainage, pH, nutrient issues) to GGH leadership and ecological advisors; maintain soil test records

· Manage targeted soil amendment programs where required for specific production zones; track amendment rates and outcomes

Seed Production & Provenance Management

· Manage spatial separation of hybridization-risk species in coordination with the ecological advisory team

· Coordinate with the GGH nursery team on annual seed production targets, quality standards, and delivery timelines

· Support seed harvest campaigns: equipment readiness, crew coordination, staging area setup, cleaning, and short-term seed storage

· Maintain harvest yield records by block, species, and year as part of the long-term seed catalogue

· Maintain accurate block, bed and row records linking planting material to seed lots and maternal lines, tracking provenance in a detailed and ongoing system

Member Harvest Area

· Maintain the Member Harvest Area as a safe, accessible, and welcoming space for BRFN community members, elders, and visitors throughout the year

· Manage physical infrastructure in the MHA: pathways, signage, access routes, fencing, and seasonal readiness

· Coordinate with GGH leadership on community harvest event logistics: access scheduling, safety, and site setup

· Note: Cultural programming, harvest protocols, and community coordination within the MHA are led by GGH leadership. The Native Plant Orchards Manager owns the physical space and operational readiness; cultural stewardship of the area sits with the organization.

Budgeting, Reporting & Administration

· Contribute to annual operating budget development; track actuals vs. budget for labour, materials, equipment, and contractors

· Maintain field records required for project reporting; provide data inputs to GGH leadership as requested

· Prepare seasonal activity reports covering crop status, weed pressure, irrigation performance, equipment condition, and labour productivity

· Maintain up-to-date safety records, pesticide application logs, and worker orientation records in compliance with BC WorkSafeBC requirements

· Participate in project planning meetings; provide field-level input into multi-year production planning

Qualifications & Experience

Required

· 5+ years of hands-on farm, orchard, or ecological restoration operations experience, including crew supervisory responsibility

· Demonstrated experience operating farm machinery: tractor, cultivator, sprayer, mower, ride-behind planter or equivalent

· Experience with integrated weed management using both mechanical and chemical methods in a production agriculture or restoration context

· Practical experience with irrigation systems: drip, overhead, pump operations, and basic infrastructure troubleshooting

· Strong organizational and record-keeping skills: block maps, planting logs, equipment maintenance records, labour hours

· Valid Class 5 driver’s licence; comfort operating on unpaved farm roads and in field conditions

· Physical fitness for extended outdoor work in variable Northern BC conditions including heat, mud, insects, and early/late season temperatures

· Experience in native plant production, seed orchard systems, or large-scale ecological restoration planting

· Skills in vegetative propagation, including live staking and cuttings (willow, poplar, dogwood, etc.)

· Working knowledge of northern BC conditions, including soils, climate, and wet-site environments

· Strong understanding of native plant ecology, especially woody shrubs and early successional species

· Experience with intensive planting systems (container plugs, drip irrigation, landscape fabric)

· Familiarity with Indigenous-led land stewardship and experience working with Indigenous organizations (asset)

· Post-secondary training in agriculture, horticulture, environmental science, natural resources, or related field (or equivalent experience)

· Valid Class 5 (or higher) driver’s licence

· Experience with soil health and microbial amendment applications (e.g., mycorrhizae, biological treatments)

· Knowledge of seed production workflows, including collection, tracking, cleaning, and storage protocols

· Experience with GPS/GIS mapping and digital field data collection tools

· Valid First Aid certification (minimum OFA Level 1)

· Mechanical aptitude, including equipment maintenance, welding, or farm repair skills (asset)

Working Conditions

· Full-time, permanent

· Extended hours may be required during peak planting and harvest periods; winter focused on planning and maintenance.

· Active development site with ongoing infrastructure works including irrigation, fencing, dugouts, and buildings.

· Works within a multi-contractor team coordinated through Grandmother’s Greenhouse and aligned with Blueberry River First Nation priorities and cultural protocols.

Benefits

· Extended health and dental coverage

· Paid vacation

· Indigenous candidates may be eligible for tax exemptions in accordance with TD1-IN legislation

Compensation

· Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications, experience, professional designation, and technical expertise.