Location: Yellingbo, Victoria (within a Parks Victoria managed conservation area)
Employment Type: Part-time - 0.8 FTP
Days of Employment: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9am - 3:30pm
Reports To: Voluntary Management Committee and Nursery Sub-committee
Direct Reports: Volunteers and casual nursery staff
Position Overview
The Nursery Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of FOHH Community Nursery, a registered charitable organisation producing approximately 100,000 indigenous plants annually for biodiversity conservation, revegetation, and environmentally sensitive landscaping projects.
Working within a unique nature conservation setting in Yellingbo, the Nursery Manager will oversee all aspects of nursery production, volunteer coordination, and operational systems. The role ensures the nursery operates safely, efficiently, and in alignment with the organisation’s environmental mission and governance obligations.
The Nursery Manager works closely with the voluntary Management Committee and Nursery Sub-committee to implement strategic priorities while maintaining high standards of plant quality, biosecurity, and workplace safety. The role also plays an important part in supporting community participation in all aspects of nursery and plant production, including office duties and business administration.
Key Responsibilities
Nursery Production and Operations
* Plan, coordinate and oversee all nursery production activities to meet annual plant production targets
* Manage and oversee all propagation, seed collection, seed storage, germination, potting, growing-on, plant health, and dispatch activities
* Develop and maintain production schedules aligned with seasonal requirements and project orders
* Maintain a high-standard retail plant area and create weekly marketing content to drive plant sales on social media
* Ensure high standards of plant quality suitable for biodiversity restoration and revegetation projects
* Investigate and research to ensure nursery infrastructure, equipment, irrigation systems, and growing areas are fit for purpose and implement best practices to the greatest extent possible
* Maintain up-to-date stock records and production data to support planning and reporting.
Volunteer and Staff Coordination
* Recruit, induct, train, support and supervise volunteers and staff as required in accordance with all relevant association policies and procedures at the direction of the committee, subcommittee or appointed committee representative/s
* Foster a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for staff and volunteers of diverse backgrounds, ages and abilities
* Organise daily work activities and provide clear guidance and instruction to staff and volunteers
* Promote volunteer engagement, skills development, and community participation in all nursery tasks and administration activities in a way appropriate to the skills, experience and needs of volunteers
Systems, Processes and Administration
* Implement and maintain systems to support nursery operations including:
o production planning
o stock control
o seed provenance records
o order management
o plant tracking and dispatch
o quality control systems
* Develop and document nursery procedures and workflows using plain English and easy to understand descriptions
* Maintain accurate and up to date records for plant production, biosecurity, and compliance requirements
* Work collaboratively with the Management Committee and Nursery Sub-committee to improve operational efficiency and organisational systems.
Biosecurity and Environmental Stewardship
Implement best-practice nursery hygiene and biosecurity protocols
* Ensure compliance with relevant environmental and plant health guidelines
* Monitor plant health and manage pest and disease risks.
* Support ethical seed collection and provenance management aligned with ecological restoration principles, legislative requirements and best practice industry protocols.
Workplace Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Maintain a safe workplace in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) obligations.
* Work collaboratively with the management committee to develop and implement safe work procedures and risk management practices in accordance with legislative requirements.
* Ensure volunteers, staff and site visitors always conduct themselves in a safe and respectful manner
* Conduct inductions and safety briefings as and when required.
Governance and Committee Support
Provide a written monthly report to inform each management committee meeting or otherwise as directed by the management committee on nursery operations, production targets, risks, and opportunities.
* Support the management committee with strategic planning and operational decision-making.
* Assist with grant-funded projects and reporting requirements at the direction of the management committee.
* Contribute to the long-term sustainability, growth and development of the nursery as a premier indigenous community nursery.
Stakeholder Engagement
Maintain positive, open and communicative relationships with committee members, volunteers, customers, project partners, conservation groups, clients and community members.
* Represent the nursery professionally when interacting with land managers, restoration practitioners, supporters and stakeholders.
* Support educational visits, community engagement activities, and outreach at the direction of the management committee or authorised delegate.
Key Selection Criteria
Essential
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively with a voluntary management committee and people of all skills, ages and abilities
* Demonstrated ability to learn new skills and a willingness to explore and employ opportunities for personal and professional growth and development.
* Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor people with a wide range of abilities, backgrounds, and learning styles, using adaptable approaches such as practical demonstrations, hands-on learning, and providing clear step-by-step instructions
* Practical problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
* Strong organisational and operational management skills.
* Experience working with, training, supervising or coordinating volunteers and volunteer activities.
* Experience working effectively and collaboratively with community or not-for-profit organisations.
* Demonstrated experience implementing and adhering to workplace health and safety policies and procedures
* Demonstrated experience and abilities in:
o productive use of personal computers and relevant software/apps including Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive or SharePoint)
o use of social media to promote business and engage the broader community
o business administration tasks and activities, including but not limited to providing quotes, invoicing, filing, record keeping, database management, maintaining vehicle logbooks, petty cash handling and other tasks as required
o customer service, retail sales and sales marketing.
Desirable
* Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in horticulture, conservation land management, or environmental science.
* Demonstrated experience in nursery production, horticulture, ecological restoration, or related fields
* Demonstrated management committee and the ability to lead others with patience, encouragement and respect.
* Knowledge of and experience with indigenous plant propagation and seed handling.
* Understanding of and ability to implement biosecurity and plant health management in nursery settings.
* Knowledge of local indigenous flora of the Yellingbo / Yarra Valley region.
* Experience with nursery management software or plant production systems.
* Experience managing revegetation or ecological restoration plant supply.
Personal Attributes
* Commitment to biodiversity conservation and community engagement.
* Practical, hands-on approach to work.
* Collaborative and approachable; non-judgemental and open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
* Ability to lead with patience, encouragement, and respect.
* Strong attention to detail, systematic approach to work
* Adaptability and willingness to work in a dynamic community environment.
Working Environment
* Outdoor and nursery-based work in a conservation reserve.
* May involve extensive office and administrative duties; long periods of sitting at a desk/use of a computer
* Physical tasks including, but not exclusive of lifting, potting, standing for long periods of time and plant handling
* Regular interaction with committee members, volunteers, retail and wholesale clients, visitors, and community members
* Flexible and collaborative working environment.
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