Full-Time Nursery Associate

Posted:

July 29, 2026 Position Objectives The Nursery Associate position is the core, generalist role at the Theodore Payne Foundation (TPF) and the base of our native plant nursery operations. Nursery Associates learn and contribute across the whole nursery business: welcoming and advising customers in the sales yard, tagging and stocking plants, cleaning and sowing seed, fulfilling online and merchandise orders, and supporting production, facilities, and special projects. Associates rotate among these responsibility areas over the course of a week — and even a single day — moving between outdoor and indoor work and shifting focus as the needs of the business change. We are looking for someone curious, adaptable, and eager to learn, who enjoys variety and thrives in a team environment. Prior horticultural expertise is welcome but not required; what matters most is a willingness to learn, a strong work ethic, and genuine enthusiasm for California native plants and TPF's mission. This is an outdoor-forward role that involves frequent lifting, bending, and walking on uneven terrain in all weather conditions. Because it touches every part of the organization, this position offers exceptionally broad, hands-on experience. It is an excellent launchpad for those interested in landscape careers (design, architecture, and maintenance), running a small business, conservation and nonprofit work, or graduate study. The Nursery Associate reports to the Horticulture Department Assistant Managers and Leads. About the

Role:

A Generalist With Rotating Responsibilities Nursery Associates are staffed across several "responsibility centers" depending on the day, the season, and where the business needs coverage. The examples below illustrate the kinds of tasks involved in each area — they are not an exhaustive checklist. Associates should expect priorities to shift and to be cross-trained across all of these areas over time. Work takes place primarily at TPF's Sun Valley campus and may also include our Los Nogales Nursery in Highland Park. Customer Service — Sales Yard As the face of TPF, associates welcome and guide visitors, offer knowledgeable gardening and plant advice, run checkout, and help ensure a warm, easy, and enjoyable retail experience.

Examples include:

greeting and being visible to customers, seeking to understand their needs, providing guidance, processing sales, and troubleshooting sales issues. Back of Nursery The operational and logistical backbone that keeps the nursery stocked and running smoothly.

Examples include:

tagging and labeling plants, filling gaps in plant stock, straightening and merchandising the nursery and kiosks, adding plants to inventory, checking stock and flagging reorder needs, learning & applying integrated pest management (IPM), accepting and unloading plant deliveries, and special production or facilities projects (e.g., potting up, weeding pots, minor repairs). Seed Room Supporting TPF's seed retail business and the process of using seed to grow local-source plants, while maintaining top- notch organization and data practices.

Examples include:

seed cleaning, sowing and propagation, packing and labeling, and maintaining seed storage and inventory. HQ / Merchandise Office Providing remote-customer support and fulfilling merchandise and seed orders efficiently and accurately.

Examples include:

triaging incoming emails (info, membership, and sales) and phone messages, packaging and fulfilling online orders, checking merchandise and seed inventory and conveying low stock, receiving merchandise deliveries, maintaining the Shopify product catalog, and coordinating pick-ups and drop-offs. Openings, Closings & Ad Hoc Work Daily setup and shutdown of the facility, plus other work as it arises.

Examples include:

opening tasks such as unlocking and disarming buildings, straightening the sales yard, removing plant covers, setting up the register, and pulling online orders; closing tasks such as final checkout, covering plants, cart wrangling, and locking and arming the site; and ad hoc work such as field work, outreach, teaching, and pop-up events. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities The following describe the qualities that lead to success in this role:

• Enthusiasm for our mission to inspire, educate, and empower Southern Californians to create biodiverse landscapes that renew the connection between people and the natural world
• Ability to work flexibly across many areas of a nursery business and move between tasks and settings as priorities shift
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and a warm, helpful, customer-focused attitude
• Commitment to quality, teamwork, and following through on tasks with limited supervision
• Attention to detail and the ability to comprehend and act on verbal and written instructions
• A safety-first mindset, with the ability to anticipate hazards and apply safe work practices and procedures
• Basic comfort with computers and tablets, and a willingness to learn point-of-sale, inventory, and e-commerce systems (e.g., Shopify)
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs regularly (and heavier loads with assistance), move plants, and load and unload carts and palettes
• Ability to work on your feet for extended periods and outdoors in cold, wet winter and hot summer conditions
• Visual acuity sufficient to gauge plant health, spot pests and disease, and read labels and written instructions
• Customer service or retail experience is helpful; a horticultural background or knowledge of California native plants is a plus but not required
• Willingness to participate actively in organization wide meetings and events, share ideas openly, listen respectfully to team members, and provide updates on progress and work priorities as called upon
• Proficiency in Spanish is a plus Schedule Full-time, five days per week, Tuesday through Saturday.

Shifts generally fall into an opening shift (approximately 7:30 am to 4:00 pm) and a closing shift (approximately 8:30 am to 5:00 pm), with occasional overtime to support major plant sales and occasional off-site TPF events. Specific days and shifts are set through staffing schedules. Pay $19.57 per hour. Pay is generally reviewed and adjusted each September. Benefits

• Vacation / Sick / Holiday paid time off
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Health and Dental coverage
• Staff discount
• Ability to take TPF courses for free at the discretion of Programs and your manager To Apply Send a cover letter, resume, and references to jobs@theodorepayne.

org with the subject line:

Nursery Associate About Theodore Payne Foundation The Theodore Payne Foundation is a non-profit nursery and educational organization that promotes the understanding and use of California native plants. The Foundation has approximately 3,000 members and an outreach to over 35,000 via its e-newsletter; it has a paid staff of 20+ and a corps of 150+ volunteers. The Foundation owns and operates a 22- acre educational facility and nursery in Sun Valley in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA, and has an operating budget of more than $1 million. Major activities include operating a public nursery/seed room and bookstore, plant propagation, and nature education classes, demonstration gardens, an annual native plant garden tour with 3,000 attendees at 30+ gardens, seasonal plant sales, as well as donor, member, and volunteer appreciation events. Outreach activities include the website, e-newsletter, social media, and offsite sales. For more information, visit theodorepayne.org. The Theodore Payne Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all TPF activities are conducted without discrimination based on race, color, genetics, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran. TPF is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.