Seed Savers Exchange is seeking an Assistant Orchard Manager to join our team to assist with managing Seed Savers Exchange’s extensive apple collection of over 1700 varieties housed in 2 separate orchards. The position is a 5 year grant funded position. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience working in or managing an apple orchard and a background in horticulture or plant sciences.
Primary Role:
The Assistant Orchard Manager uses their orchard management expertise to tend trees in the Seed Savers Exchange apple collection and to facilitate distribution of germplasm to members and customers. Assists the Orchard Manager with tree cultivation and propagation of trees in an organic setting, and works with the Orchard Manager and Director of Preservation on the revitalization strategic plan. The Assistant Orchard Manager will assist Preservation staff in documenting apple histories as well as evaluate apple varieties. The Assistant Orchard Manager also serves as a public speaker, customer service representative, and staff consultant on subjects related to apple cultivation, care, and history.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Cultivate apple trees, including grafting, planting, transplanting, fertilizing, and pruning of trees
- Monitor and assess tree health
- Utilize an integrated pest management approach to ensure long-term tree health by monitoring pest and disease pressure, maintaining proper soil fertility, and applying approved organic pesticides and fungicides
- Research and document the phenotypes, cultural uses, and horticultural histories of accessions and prospective accessions in the apple collection
- Maintain inventory records and documentation within the collection database
- Assist staff with evaluating the apple collection
- Assist with inventory of apple trees and updating field mapping
- Assist with apple collection inventory update and GPS mapping
- Assist with distribution of apple germplasm by harvesting, storing, grafting, and packaging scion wood and/or grafted trees
External-Department Responsibilities:
- Assist Collection to Catalog team to recommend varieties to sell in annual catalog
- Assist Seed House team with apple tree production for catalog sales and work with customer service staff to serve customer needs
- Communicate with Field Operations team on machinery use and labor needs for grafting, planting, and root cellaring trees for both catalog and collection needs
- Develop apple-related presentations and articles for events, web platforms, and printed materials
- Serve as an organizational delegate at public events
Skills:
- Experience with both bud and bench grafting preferred
- Keen eye for detail
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Able to juggle competing projects
- Ability to think on your feet
- Strong organizational skills
- GPS and GIS skills preferred
Qualifications:
- Degree in horticulture or working experience in fruit tree production with preference to those with organic orchard experience
- Hold or be willing to obtain a pesticide applicators certification
- Tractor and equipment experience
- Computer skills
- Demonstrable record of successfully working independently and as part of a team
- Organic farming background
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- 401(k) with employer match
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Employee merchandise discounts
- Participation in employee wellness program
Applications accepted through May 18, 2020.
Additional information can be found at seedsavers.org/jobs.