Occupational Profile

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Nursery Operator

Nursery operators plan, organize and direct the activities of nursery staff who propagate, grow and market trees, shrubs and perennial plants.

Avg. Salary $61,433.00
Avg. Wage $29.34
Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary
Outlook N/A

Also Known As

Tree Nursery Operator, Farmer

NOC & Interest Codes

The Nursery Operator is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Nursery and Greenhouse Operators and Managers NOC 8254

Nursery and Greenhouse Operators and Managers

NOC code: 8254

DIRECTIVE: Interest in supervising staff in planting, transplanting, feeding and spraying stock; and in hiring staff and overseeing training, in setting work schedules and in determining types and quantities of stock
METHODICAL: Interest in co-ordinating information to organize nursery and greenhouse operations; and in ordering materials such as fertilizer, garden and lawn care equipment, and other nursery and greenhouse accessories
SOCIAL: Interest in providing information to customers on gardening and the care of trees, shrubs, flowers, plants and lawns

Reading Interest Codes

A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn More

Duties

Updated Jul 07, 2016

Nursery operators run wholesale and retail horticultural firms ranging in size from small family businesses to operations employing over a hundred people on a full time or seasonal basis. They may deal with all kinds of trees and shrubs or specialize in a perennial herbaceous plants or a combination of a few kinds of trees. Therefore, their duties and responsibilities vary. However, in general, nursery operators:

determine the varieties and quantities of trees, shrubs and perennials to grow
determine the environmental conditions required to grow the plants selected and set planting and care schedules accordingly
program irrigation control computers
supervise staff in planting, transplanting, pruning, feeding and spraying trees and shrubs
identify and control problems caused by insects, rodents, birds, diseases and weeds
develop and implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan
ensure the safe handling, use, storage and disposal of pesticides
operate a variety of equipments including tree spades, pesticide sprayers and skid steers
develop marketing plans
provide customers with information on the selection and care of trees and shrubs
order equipment and supplies and oversee equipment maintenance
hire, train and supervise staff
prepare budgets and maintain records.

In smaller operations, nursery operators also may perform some of the hands-on work in nurseries:

prepare soil for planting
set up and maintain irrigation systems
construct greenhouses or other protective structures for seedlings
plant seeds and cuttings, graft plants, transplant seedlings and rooted cuttings, and train and prune plants
remove weeds, spray plants with pesticides and apply fertilizers
dig, prune and transplant trees and shrubs
prepare trees and shrubs for sale or shipment.

Working Conditions

Updated Jul 07, 2016

Nursery operators work outdoors in fields and shade houses and indoors in greenhouses and offices. They often work long, irregular hours particularly in the spring and summer months. The work can be hectic at times and satisfying customer needs can be stressful. Some of the hands-on work is strenuous; lifting up to 20 kilograms may be required.

Strength Required Lift up to 10 kg

Skills & Abilities

Updated Jul 07, 2016

Nursery operators need the following characteristics:

self-motivation and the ability to direct and motivate others
decision making skills
computer skills
manual dexterity
no severe allergies to plants, tree pollen, pesticides or other chemicals
patience
an eye for detail.

Those in retail operations also must be able to deal courteously and effectively with the public.

Nursery operators should enjoy directing the work of others, organizing nursery operations and providing information to customers.

Educational Requirements

Updated Jul 07, 2016

In the past, many nursery operators worked their way up to supervisory positions by learning on the job and taking related courses. However, graduates of horticulture education programs have a better chance of advancing to supervisory and management positions than those who do not have related post-secondary education.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Olds College

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

The Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association offers short courses and workshops in horticulture.

Certification Requirements

Updated Jul 07, 2016

Pesticide Applicator and Dispenser

Pesticide Applicator and Dispenser

Pesticide applicators use pesticides (chemicals) to control pests (for example, weeds or destructive insects or animals) as part of their paid employment. Pesticide dispensers sell and store pesticides as part of their paid employment. For related information, see the Arborist, Greenhouse Operator, Market Gardener, Nursery Operator, Pest Control Operator and Turfgrass Management Specialist occupational profiles in OCCinfo.

Legislation

Under Alberta's Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation, you must be a commercial agriculturalist (farmer) or a certified pesticide applicator, or supervised by someone who is certified, to apply a commercial pesticide (for example, insecticide, herbicide or fungicide). You must be a certified dispenser to sell pesticides. There are two types of dispensers in Alberta: (1) Lawn and Garden Pesticide Dispensers sell domestic class pesticides, and (2) Commercial Dispensers sell domestic, commercial and restricted class pesticides.

Education

Certification requires successful completion of an exam. A preparatory course is available through home study materials or classroom tutorials. For official, detailed information about certification requirements, contact Alberta Environment and Parks or visit their website.

Working in Alberta

Pesticide applicator and dispensers who are certified by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for certification in Alberta if certified pesticide applicators and dispensers in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see "What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).

Contact Details

Alberta Environment and Parks
Box 24, 10320 - 99 Street
Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 6J4
Phone number: 780-538-8054
Toll-free phone number (within Alberta): 310-0000
Fax number: 780-538-5336
Website: aep.alberta.ca

Employment & Advancement

Updated Jul 07, 2016

Most nursery operators are self-employed or employed as retail or wholesale nursery managers. Some work for government departments and research centres.

Nursery operators generally start in junior positions and work their way up or start their own businesses. Nursery worker positions may be full time, part time or seasonal. Advancement depends on performance and the availability of supervisory positions.

Nursery operators are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 0822: Managers in Horticulture. In Alberta, 90% of people employed in this classification work in the Agricultural (PDF) industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Agriculture industry)
location in Alberta
employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary

Updated Jul 07, 2016

Earnings for nursery operators vary, especially for self-employed operators.

Managers of large nursery operations may earn considerably more than these figures suggest.

Nursery operators are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 0822: Managers in horticulture.

According to the 2015 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Managers in horticulture occupational group earned on average from $25.61 to $32.57 an hour. The overall average wage was $29.34 an hour. For more information, see the Managers in horticulture wage profile.

Related High School Subjects

English Language Arts
Science
- Biology
Business, Administration, Finance and IT
- Management and Marketing
Natural Resources
- Agriculture