Nursery Operator

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry website: www.agric.gov.ab.ca

Alberta Environment and Parks website: aep.alberta.ca

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) website: www.canadanursery.com

Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association website: www.landscape-alberta.com

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.