SEARCH RESULTS  1 Opportunity Found

Position Plant Propagation (Greenhouse Assistant) Mount Rainier National Park Partner Opportunity Site Link Opportunity Partner State Natural Resources Links Washington Home Page Washington Tourism Site Washington State Parks Volunteers Address 55210 238th Ave E Ashford, WA 98304 Contact Kevin Bacher kevin_bacher@nps.gov 360-569-2211 Dates 4/1/2009--11/30/2009 Activities • Botany • Science • General Assistance • Weed/Invasive Species Control Record Date 12/19/2008 Suitable For Adults,Seniors,Groups,Family Difficulty Level Average

Opportunity Description: 

Thank you for you interest in volunteering at the Mount Rainier National Park greenhouse. Volunteers play a significant role in the success of the plant production program in the park.

Brief job description: Assist Park Horticulturist in native plant production for park restoration projects.

Duties: Assist the Park Horticulturist in the propagation and maintenance of native plants. Duties include the collection and preparation of cutting material; transplanting seedlings and rooted cuttings; and general plant maintenance.

Some of the tasks that volunteers help us with, and the general timing for those tasks are:

• Seed collection - usually starts in early August and continues through mid-October.
• Seed cleaning - starts in late August and continues until all seed are clean (mid-late November most years).
• Transplanting rooted cuttings - starts in early-mid April and continues until all cuttings are potted up.
• Transplanting seedlings - starts in early-mid June and continues through mid-July.
• Field planting - starts in mid-late August and continues until all plants are planted or the snow depth is too high to clear away for continued planting.

Our normal hours of operation, both for greenhouse and field operations, is Monday - Thursday from 7am - 5:30pm. Volunteers usually come in around 8 or 9am and leave between 3 and 4pm (times vary depending on the volunteer's personal schedule). The field operation usually schedules two Saturdays a year for field planting, and the greenhouse usually schedules 2-3 Saturdays a year (one in the spring for transplanting, and one or two in late summer for seed collection).

Anticipated Results: As a member of the Natural and Cultural Resource Team that propagates planting materials for the restoration of meadows throughout the park, you will be making a significant contribution to providing a beautiful landscape for Mount Rainier’s estimated 2 million annual visitors to enjoy, as well as restoring natural environments damaged by human Activity.

Qualifications:

• Work experience in greenhouse operations, transplanting seedlings, gardening, landscape maintenance and/or college courses of study in botany, horticulture or related field.
• Must be able to stand or sit for long periods of time and perform repetitive tasks with a high level of accuracy.
• Willingness to learn by following instructions if not qualified in (1) and (2).
• Physical ability to do the work you are applying for. Seed collection may require the ability to complete a strenuous hike and work at high elevations.

Responsibilities:

• Work within the parameters of this position description unless change is documented by your supervisor.
• Dedication to working with proper equipment in a safe, sane manner at all times. Safety First!

Time Commitment:
Part-time, intermittent. Most need for volunteers is on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Training:
The Park Horticulturist will provide training and background information on horticultural practices, greenhouse operations, and production goals.

Benefits:

• Waiver of park entry/camping fees for volunteer period;
• VIP baseball cap;
• Coverage for on-the-job injuries through the VIP Program;
• The satisfaction of making a difference with other great people dedicated to preserving and protecting Mount Rainier - a Crown Jewel of the National Park Service.

Supervisor, and for more information:
Josh Drown, Park Horticulturist, (360) 569-2211 ext. 6170.

  Apply Online Now