Description

The Nursery Operations Coordinator assists in the operation of Herring Run Nursery, operated by Blue Water Baltimore, specializing in selling plants native to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Nursery offers over 250 species of trees, shrubs, vines, and perennials to retail and wholesale customers.

This position supports day-to-day nursery operations as set by the Nursery Manager and serves as the primary lead for retail inventory accuracy within the Square Point-of-Sale system. The role ensures operational efficiency, inventory integrity, strong retail performance, and excellent customer experience while reinforcing Blue Water Baltimore’s mission of advancing clean water and strong, equitable communities.

Requirements

Nursery Operations

Ensure that the Square Point-of-Sale system is operational and accurately reflects current inventory.
Serve as primary lead within Square, including but not limited to SKU setup, inventory adjustments, reporting, and reconciliation.
Create, update, maintain, and add new signage as needed.
Receive and unload deliveries of plant material; reconcile deliveries within Square and ensure creation of appropriate tagging for all plant material
Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming nursery environment.
Maintain display gardens and retail plant presentation areas.
Work with and direct volunteers in completion of tasks designated by senior Nursery staff (volunteer coordination handled separately).
Monitor retail performance metrics including sales trends and inventory turnover.
Prepare weekly inventory updates for online store.

Retail Sales & Customer Support

Work retail sales during regular Nursery hours; weekend availability required
Support small-scale retail sales events or tabling as needed.
Provide plant selection guidance and consultation services for customers.
Deliver excellent customer service to retail and wholesale customers.
Support donation prompts and mission-aligned messaging at point-of-sale.

Production

Assist in all production within the Nursery, including collection and propagation within the Local Ecotype Native Seed (LENS) program.
Pot new plant material and ensure plant material is labeled appropriately.
Water, weed, prune, and otherwise care for plant material.
Assist with seasonal production planning and inventory forecasting.

Volunteer Management

Assist in training nursery volunteer ambassadors.
Check volunteer schedule to ensure most shifts are filled at the start of each week.

Web/Social

Update webpage (nursery-specific) with accurate information, including nursery hours and schedule, special events, online inventory, and rain barrel information
Update hours on Google Business, Apple Maps, and Yelp account as needed
Work with the Nursery Manager and other Blue Water staff to ensure accurate nursery-related information is shared in the BWB e-newsletter, website, and social media
Engage with environmental groups on Facebook as relates to plant recommendations, sharing events, and inventory requests

Organizational Collaboration

Communicate the connection between native plants and Blue Water Baltimore’s mission of clean water and strong communities
When opportunity presents, aid and assist other Blue Water Baltimore programs in completion of associated programmatic work
Lead presentations on native plant topics for community organizations
Understand important aspects of nursery record-keeping as it relates to the finance department
Prepare content for organizational newsletter
Represent the Nursery within Blue Water’s internal teams (Program, Engagement)

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities)

Knowledge of and experience with horticulture and native plants, natural resources stewardship, nursery operations
Exemplary customer service skills
Experience with online point of sale systems
Ability to work weekends
Ability to move, pot, and weed plants, and load and unload trucks
Ability to lift 50 lbs.
Social Media experience to grow audience
Knowledge of landscape design principles
1-2 years' experience with horticulture and horticultural practices
1-2 years’ experience in a retail business operation

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities)

Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH)
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP)
Knowledge of conservation landscaping practices
Knowledge of Salesforce

Competencies & Success Factors

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
Oral/Written Communications
Professionalism/Work Ethic
Teamwork/Collaboration
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Leadership

Blue Water Baltimore jobs

Nursery Operations Coordinator