Forestry Careers at ArborGen

Forestry Nursery Intern:

•  Learn about the critical aspects of nursery management, tree seedling production, and nursery operations.
• Gain hands-on experience in plant care, pest management, and environmental sustainability efforts.
• Gain knowledge of heavy equipment operation and tractor GPS.
• Work directly with professionals in the field to ensure high-quality seedling production.
• To Qualify: Must be entering junior or senior year and pursuing a degree in Forestry, Agriculture, Horticulture, etc. and have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

 Forestry Orchard Intern:

•  Learn how to identify tree damage symptoms and the uses of herbicide and insecticide applications.
• Gain knowledge of mass control pollination and cone harvesting.
• Conduct scion collection, grafting and bagging.
• Get hands on experience in operating lift trucks and heavy equipment.
• Qualify: Must be entering junior or senior year and pursuing a degree in Forestry, Agriculture, Horticulture, etc. and have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

 Product Development Intern:

•  Assist in the development of new tree seedling products and innovations that contribute to reforestation and forestry solutions.
• Work on research and data collection; visit genetic and silviculture field experiments.
• Provide technical support to orchards, nurseries and sales team.
• Get the chance to collaborate with industry leading R&D teams.
• To Qualify: Must be entering junior or senior year and pursuing a degree in Forestry or Natural Resource Management and have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

• Company: Interaction with peers within department and also department managers. 

• Must be entering junior or senior year and pursuing a degree in Forestry or Natural Resource Management and have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required and the responsibilities of the position may change.

• Operate, maintain, modify and calibrate farm tractors, agricultural equipment, irrigation system components, and other equipment used on the job.
• Maintain records including but not limited to equipment maintenance, parts inventory, safety inspections, and fuel records.
• Assist in the operation and maintenance of an automatic irrigation system including pump station, below ground main lines, above ground supply system, and digital controllers.
• Assist in all phases of weed control, including herbicide application, mechanical control and hand weeding.
• Assist in all phases of crop nutrition including fertilizer applications and crop tissue and soil sampling.
• Wear safety personal protective equipment, maintain facility, and maintain a safe working environment.  Participate in and complete the required safety training.
• Supervise labor in various nursery operations.  Will be working with a contract labor crew daily during certain times of the year.
• Serve as a team member and/or leader in group work improvement projects.
• Work extended hours, weekends and holidays, outdoors in all types of weather conditions as required.  Examples would be weekend irrigation duty or repair, planting season, and lifting season to meet production goals.
• Ability to work closely with colleagues meets peak needs and production goals.
• Adapt quickly to changing conditions including job functions.
• Ability to be innovative and resourceful to accomplish goals.
• Other duties and projects assigned.

• Department: Daily interaction with Supervisor (Production Coordinator and or Nursery Manager). Frequent interaction with peers in the immediate work group.
• Company: Interaction with peers in other nursery and orchard groups across the company as related to seedling production targets.
• Outside Company: May participate in outside conferences and symposia when appropriate.

• Associate Degree in Agriculture or Horticulture, or 5+ years experience operating and maintaining agricultural equipment on a farm in lieu of education preferred.
• Mechanical ability with tractor and forklift experience.
• Private Pesticide applicator license preferred but not required.

This is heavy work exerting up to 40-100 pounds of force; work may involve climbing, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping; worker is subject to inside and outside environment, noise, vibration, working hazards, fumes, odors, dust, gasses and chemicals; visual acuity is required for maintenance and identifying problems; requires hearing sufficient to perceive noises for diagnostic purposes.   This can be inside or outside work or working in hot, humid cold and damp conditions.  Applicant must have a valid driver’s license.  Applicant must pass a drug screening test.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required and the responsibilities of the position may change.

• Safely complete all essential work functions in your area.
• Promote ArborGen seedling products to forestry consultants, private forest landowners, and tree planters, with emphasis on value-based selling.
• Basic understanding of reforestation best practices such as seedling care, seedling handling, and tree planting fundamentals.
• General knowledge of tree improvement, forestry growth and yield concepts, sampling, forest finance, and forest soils.
• Ability to discuss general site preparation guidelines and implications of stocking rate options as related to local forest product markets.
• Candidate must have strong communication skills and the desire to address audiences with technical presentations both indoors and in field settings.
• Ability to troubleshoot out-planted seedling survival or nutrition issues in a constructive manner with ArborGen personnel and clients.
• Coordinate with nursery team to ensure on time seedling deliveries.
• Track competitive information intelligence in region.
• Focus on growing market share and increasing profitability.
• Adhere to budget guidelines.
• Forecast and execute territory sales plan and support fellow Reforestation Advisors on overall sales goal.
• Work closely with Marketing for website enhancement, assistance with email newsletter articles, and providing field photos.
• Self-motivated individual with the ability to work independently on a frequent basis.

• Department: Frequent to daily interaction with Sales Manager. Frequent interaction with peers in the immediate Regional Sales Team.  Regular interaction with peers in other groups within the department.  Frequent interaction with Nurseries.
• Company: Regular interaction with peers in Product Development as related to current and future products. Participation in review sessions with Product Development and Product Launch Teams.
• Outside Company: Extensive relationships and frequent contact with customers. Participation in outside conferences and trade shows.

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry preferred, Agribusiness or related field.
• 5 years of forestry (preferred) or related experience, ability to build on strong communication skills to leverage relationships.
• Experience managing customer issues/CRM.
• Necessary computer skills include: Microsoft Office Suite and SAP B1 software.

• This position requires the ability to lift up to 30 pounds; work may involve climbing, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping; worker is subject to inside and outside environment, noise, vibration, working hazards, fumes, odors, dust, gasses and chemicals; normal visual acuity is required; requires hearing sufficient to perceive noises for diagnostic purposes.
• Will require work in the field such as evaluating planting sites with customers and including seedling survival estimation by traversing reforestation sites to install and measure plots.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally for up to two-week periods.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required and the responsibilities of the position may change.