Seed Orchard Manager - UT School of Natural Resources (UTIA)

Seed Orchard Manager

UT School of Natural Resource

The Tree Improvement Program at the UT School of Natural Resources invites applications for a Seed Orchard Manager to manage the Watauga Northern Red Oak Seed Orchard located on the Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest. The seed orchard manager is responsible for maintenance of trees and the facility, as well as organizing and facilitating acorn surveys and, if acorns are present, pedigreed acorn collections. The manager is expected to participate in mixing acorns by pedigree to create a genetically diverse acorn blend for growing to reforest southern National Forests and is responsible for coordinating orchard activities and acorn processing with UT Tree Improvement Program and U.S. Forest Service Regional and District personnel. This is a regular, full benefits, non-exempt, grant-funded position, Market Range 05, available to start immediately for an initial period of one year. The School of Natural Resources is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment to all.

Qualifications:

Responsibilities of the position include orchard maintenance, mowing, removal of dead branches, arranging for large, dead trees to be cut and removed, maintaining fencing, and making general observations on tree health and conditions; supervising and participating in pedigreed acorn collections, preparing acorns for transfer to the UT Tree Improvement Program, mixing acorns by mother tree and weight to ensure a genetically diverse acorn blend for planting, and performing orchard-wide surveys for acorn presence and amount; participating in U.S. Forest Service-led teams to enhance the structure and function of the Cherokee National Forest through activities such as timber cruising, marking timber for thinning or harvest, and other on-ground forest management practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of oak seed orchard management procedures and large-scale acorn collection, handling, and processing
• The ability to work with cooperators in external federal and state agencies and to supervise a team of workers
• Knowledge and skills with Microsoft Office software programs
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of and the ability to take accurate scientific data and record the data in an Excel spreadsheet
• Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions, including rain and heat
• Ability to lift fifty pounds
• Ability to work occasional weekends with some overnight travel
• The preferred candidate will have a general knowledge of hardwood tree improvement procedures and activities and the ability to operate trucks and tractors.

Required Education: A bachelor's degree in forestry or wildlife management and at least one year of experience of acorn collections, handling, and processing. Experience with large-scale acorn collections in oak orchards is preferred.

To Apply: In addition to completing the online applicant profile, submit a resume or CV outlining education, experience, relevant qualifications, computer and software knowledge and skills, and a list of three professional references with full contact information. Applications will be reviewed on a daily basis until the position is filled.