Orchard Manager, Stuart GRMA

Orchard Manager, Stuart GRMA

Trees play a vital role in solving some of the most pressing issues facing our communities, our society, and our world today. For 150 years, American Forests has stood boldly at the forefront of the conservation movement, working collaboratively and innovatively to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of trees. As we look ahead to the next 150, continued collective action will be essential to securing a healthy, climate-resilient future for all.

To support this work, we are looking for a Stuart GRMA Orchard Manager to join our Resilient Forests team.

The Stuart GRMA Orchard Manager is a full-time position responsible for development, planning, and application of cultural practices that support the health and productivity of USDA Forest Service orchards, seed production areas (SPAs) and native plant production areas (NPPAs) located at the Stuart Genetic Resource Management Areas (GRMA) on the Kisatchie National Forest, Catahoula Ranger District. In partnership with the USDA Forest Service, this position will be responsible for the management of orchards, SPAs, NPPAs and associated resources (e.g. roads, gates, fencing), facilities, and equipment on the Stuart GRMA.

The Orchard Manager's responsibility will be to maintain the health of the orchards, SPAs and NPPAs; to produce and harvest high quality, genetically diverse and site appropriate seed and plant material, and deliver these materials to the Forest Service to support reforestation initiatives on National Forests. Management of several different tree species (e.g., conifer and hardwood), and native plants will require implementing different processes to accomplish seed and plant material production objectives.

This is a competitive position in support of short-term surge for disaster recovery, reforestation, and other restoration activities.

Major responsibilities include:

• Management of Seed Orchards and Seed Production Areas (70-85%)
• Managing orchards, seed production areas, native plant production areas at the Stuart GRMA.
• Managing orchards to produce cone and acorn crops, monitoring phenology, collecting, processing and shipping cones and acorns.
• Managing seed orchard health and productivity.
• Control of weeds and orchard understory and dead tree removal.
• Application of herbicides and pesticides.
• Operation and maintenance of tractor & skid steer with implements, tree shaker, lift boom and other heavy equipment.
• Contracting and coordinating orchard operations such as thinning, road maintenance, and fencing.
• Assisting with writing genetic management strategies.
• Application of fertilization regimes to meet project objectives.
• Monitoring for insect and disease damage, determining treatment options, and implementing treatments.
• Establishing new seed orchard plantings.
• Propagating and cultivating plant species used in revegetation projects (e.g., rivercane).
• Collecting and grafting of scion to rootstock and out-planting.
• Establishing and maintaining tree conservation plantings.
• Collecting, maintaining, and managing data gathered on orchard trees and cone crops.
• Recording growth and phenology measurements.
• Managing facilities and equipment associated with seed orchards.
• Assisting the USDA Forest Service in developing work plans for the GRMA and production or quality standards.
• Maintaining and updating Seed Orchard Management Plan and Seed Orchard Technical Training Guides.
• Creating orchard maps and tagging trees in the orchard.
• Promoting and ensuring safe fire practices within the orchard environment
• Writing of annual reports outlining orchard activities and accomplishments

Management of Progeny Field Tests (0 - 15%)

• Managing progeny field tests in partnership with USDA Forest Service silviculturists.
• Maintaining and monitoring for damaging agents and determining the need for control methods.
• Monitoring growth for cone production.
• Monitoring insects and diseases or other genetically controlled damaging agents.
• Collecting soil and foliage samples.

Partnership & Coordination (10%)

• Serving as the on-site liaison between American Forests and the USDA Forest Service.
• Coordinating closely with Forest Service staff, including regional geneticist, zone geneticist, and silviculturists, to align seed production goals with regional and national priorities.
• Submitting timely progress reports, data summaries, and documentation, as needed.
• Participating in regional meetings and events as needed to support reforestation and seed strategy goals
• Participating in training and safety meetings
• Maintaining compliance with environmental guidelines.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%):

• Reviewing, recommending, and initiating development activities at the GRMA in cooperation with the Regional Geneticist. Preparing presentations and/or reports to explain overall genetic resource management and seed orchards.
• Assisting with developing budgetary needs.
• Co-hosting seed orchard management workshops.
• Assisting American Forests' staff in the delivery of relevant in-person meetings,…