Careers
Interested in being part of our team? Great!Native Plant Grower
NATS Nursery is seeking a mid-level to senior Grower to join our team. Located in Langley, BC, NATS was founded in 1988 and is the largest grower of native plants in BC. NATS is also the BC, Alaska, Washington and Oregon grower/distributor for LiveRoof, a modular green roof system. Our wholesale nursery consists of over 105,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse space and multiple outdoor growing compounds on 30 acres of land.
The unique and highly skilled team at NATS is committed to providing the best quality native plants possible to the global market for restoration, reclamation, reforestation, sustainable gardening, construction and more. Whether they be wholesalers, landscape contractors, landscape architects, governments, retail nurseries, garden centres, restoration firms or roofing contractors for vegetative roofs, we strive to help all of our customers find the right plant for the right place, and to share our personal passion for plants, and for improving the world in which we live.
What We Are Looking For:
An enthusiastic self-starter and horticulture professional with a passion for and experience in caring for native plants. NATS is seeking a team player that loves working outdoors, trouble-shooting and can work in a fast-paced work environment. Efficiency, time-management and commitment are key.
Reporting to our Head Grower, your responsibilities may include:
Duties:
- Responsible for growing a wide variety of native plants. Duties may include irrigation, fertilizing, pruning, pest scouting and spraying in assigned area.
- Coordinate with IPM (Integrated Pest Management) program to ensure timely and effective biological or chemical treatment of insects & diseases.
- Supervise and work with crew of up to 8 people.
- Development and implementation of specific growing protocols and procedures.
- Identify crop problems, execute corrective measures and report to Head Grower
- Getting quality plant material ready for scheduled shipment dates
- Perform soil, water, and disease tests as required.
- Work in all weather conditions
- Available to work overtime and weekends on short notice
- Work with standard landscaping equipment (Hedge trimmers, sprayer, blower, etc.)
Education & Experience Required:
- Relevant propagation/growing experience
- One to four years Horticulture/Biology/Science education an asset
- Pesticide Applicators’ Certificate or willing to enroll in program
- Knowledge of Pacific Northwest native plants an asset
- Driver’s License (Class 5)
Skills Required:
- Excellent leadership, communication, and motivational skills required.
- Can work well independently and as part of a dynamic team
- Able to work with competing priorities and organize these in conjunction with weather
- Quick learner with ability and capacity to adapt to new plants, crops, tasks, and situations.
- Maintain personal standards of work, i.e. speed and quality.
- Physically able to lift heavy objects on a regular basis (<50lbs) and complete the job safely
- Attention to detail, strong observational skills and quick on ones feet
- Having appropriate gear is considered an asset
Compensation: Subject to experience and education. Offer Group Benefits. Annual Boot Stipend.
Shifts: Full-time Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Weekend and holiday duties required on a rotation basis in busy season.
Email Resume & Cover Letter to our Head Grower Shailesh Patel. shailesh@natsnursery.com
Nursery Operations Manager
Job Summary
NATS Nursery is seeking to hire an exceptional individual for a new and critical position within our Management Team. We are looking for a self-motivated team player (ideally with 5 years nursery experience or equivalent) who will assist with operations and project management of NATS, BC’s largest native plant nursery. The Operations Manager will implement the right processes and practices across the organization.
Reporting to NATS’s owner, Rod Nataros, your responsibilities may include:
Responsibilities:
- Formulate operations and production strategy with existing team, improve performance and procure material and resources
- Manage, with existing team, the weekly production schedule for contract and speculative growing
- Create, implement and enforce policies and procedures
- Monitor and perform preventive and corrective maintenance of all site infrastructure (field and greenhouses)
- Work as communication bridge between Sales, Growers, Shipping and Inventory
- Preventive maintenance of boilers/heaters/well pump/irrigation system/structure and all other equipment on site including sprayers, tractors, gators, bobcat, forklifts and more
- Monitor nursery supplies and when necessary order grow media, fertilizer, pots, trays, boxes, packing material, poly and other hard goods
- Assist with hiring of staff and contract labour
- Monitor crops for shelf life and crops that need extra maintenance and attention
- Direct the flow of packaged plant material from preparation to shipping
- Collaborate with growers and sales personnel and others to optimize processes
- Ensure compliance to legal regulations and company policies
Skills & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree or comparable education in operations management or related field is desired.
- Experience in management, operations, and leadership.
- Understanding of general finance and budgeting, including profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash-flow management an asset
- Growing and horticulture experience an asset.
- Knowledge of logistics procedures required.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Must have driver’s license. Class 5 with air endorsement an asset.
- Capacity to handle multiple tasks and prioritize accordingly.
- Ability to take short and long term responsibility for specific tasks.
- Aptitude to communicate well in English in written and oral form.
- Demonstrate commitment to the job, team, and business, and if necessary work overtime on short notice.
- Quick learner with ability and capacity to adapt to new plants, crops and situations.
- Attention to detail and strong observational skills.
- Extraordinary character and passion about plants and nature; someone looking for ‘more than just a job’ and wants to be a part of our NATS’ Team.
Shifts: Full-time Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Will also need to be flexible.
Compensation: $60,000 – $95,000
Start Date: February 2025
Email Resume & Cover Letter to our Business Development Manager, Ron Jacobson – ron@natsnursery.com.