Commercial Nursery Operations Manager

Blue Lake Tribal Restoration (BLTR) COO

Posted: Sept. 2, 2026

Blue Lake Rancheria Economic Development Corporation (BLREDCO)

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Commercial Nursery Operations Manager

Reports To: Blue Lake Tribal Restoration (BLTR) COO

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Submit Resume and Cover Letter To: Ciara Emery, ciara.emery@blredco.com

ABOUT BLUE LAKE TRIBAL RESTORATION

Blue Lake Tribal Restoration (BLTR) is a newly launched company of the Blue Lake Rancheria Economic Development Corporation (BLREDCO). BLTR is an Indigenous-centered landscape restoration, Native plant propagation, and consulting company that offers critical expertise in landscape healing while advancing Indigenous sovereignty and access to culturally important plant relatives and agroecosystems.

JOB SUMMARY

The Commercial Nursery Operations Manager (CNOM) will lead the development and implementation of a commercial native plant nursery at the Blue Lake Rancheria Economic Development Corporation. This position will lead the formation of BLREDCO’s commercial nursery and will play a key role in the execution of company priorities. Specifically, the role focuses on the identification, collection, and propagation of native seeds and propagules, centering Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and leading adaptive management techniques in a commercial nursery setting. The CNOM will be responsible for advising and executing contracts acquired by BLTR as they relate to the propagation of nursery stock.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plant Prioritization and Collection

• Train with BLR Tribal Government staff to learn of culturally important plants to Blue Lake Rancheria and associated considerations for nursery propagation.
• Train with BLR Tribal Government staff in gathering locations and practices for prioritized plant species; document collections using geospatial tools while implementing strict data security protocols.
• Plan and execute propagule collections seasonally to fulfill nursery contracts and to establish bulk nursery stock.
• Establish a seed bank (both living and ex-situ) to support long-term nursery operations, applying appropriate seed preservation practices and stasis conditions (as applicable).

Nursery Development

• Manage daily nursery operations and lead strategic planning and development in support of commercial contracts.
• Procure and install necessary materials to establish commercial native plant nursery space.
• Implement measures to protect nursery plants from browsing pressure and environmental stressors.
• Ensure the availability of all propagation supplies, including pots, soil, heating pads, shade cloth, and other necessary materials.

Data Management and Documentation

• Develop physical data sheets and ArcGIS Survey123 data input forms for accurate plant data collection.• Create and maintain a georeferenced database to serve as a central repository for all plant data.

Propagation and Planting

• Use appropriate methods, as established by both Western and Indigenous knowledge systems, to propagate collected seeds, cuttings, and plants.
• Maintain nursery environs and resident native plant propagules to ensure survival throughout their residence time.
• Monitor and adapt propagation and planting techniques based on ongoing results and TEK.
• Implement nursery best management practices (BMPs), particularly pertaining to biosecurity around pathogens of concern.

Program Review and Adaptive Management

• Annually review all aspects of the program to evaluate and refine methodologies, incorporating feedback and lessons learned.
• Utilize adaptive management techniques to improve the success rates of plant propagation and survival.
• •May be required to manage grant deliverables.

Promotes the following within the department and among all team members:

• Creates a collaborative, inclusive, and culturally responsive atmosphere.
• Encourages mutual respect, dignity, and integrity with all team members by setting positive examples at all times.
• Maintains a professional departmental, company, and community reputation.

BLTR REQUIRES TEAM MEMBERS, ON A CONTINUAL BASIS, TO:

• Provide a safe work environment for team members through compliance with established safety guidelines, identifying potential safety hazards, and reporting them to the appropriate person for proper resolution.
• Maintain a professional departmental, company, and community reputation.
• Enforce performance standards, policies, and procedures as they relate to the department.
• Maintain a consistent, regular attendance record.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience seeking and planning for private contracts and meeting contract requirements.
• Experience with native plant identification, collection, propagation, and nursery management.
• Knowledge of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and its application in plant management.
• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Experience or interest in cultural preservation and collaboration with the Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with the cultural and environmental context of the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license is required.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Minimum requirement: Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered. Relevant experience working respectfully with Tribal communities, applying Indigenous Knowledge, and working with cultural resources is required.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Must be knowledgeable and proficient in working with the Microsoft Office Suite and ESRI mapping software.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and apply technical procedures and government regulations. Ability to write reports and planning documents. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from co-workers.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Mathematical skills need to be advanced enough to coordinate the Native Plant Program and management of databases.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve simple and practical problems, dealing with a variety of concrete or unknown variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form, and to exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines when called upon.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The team member is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The team member is regularly required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The team member must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

The team member is regularly required to work in a variety of outdoor weather conditions and is regularly required to work with and/or around sharp gardening tools and wheelbarrows.

Close-toed shoes and appropriate working clothing for propagation and land restoration work are necessary.

Other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work will be performed both inside the BLTR offices and in nursery environs and field sites.