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Senior Horticulturist (541490)

Together we shape thriving communities, public spaces, places and economies.

• Permanent full-time opportunity (38 hours/week)
• Based at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
• Salary relative to experience and ranges from $81,390 to $90,001 + super

The role
Sydney’s stunning gardens and living collections need expert care, and that’s where you come in. As a Senior Horticulturist, you’ll lead a dedicated team to maintain, develop, and restore diverse plant collections, ensuring high horticultural standards across a dynamic and high-use public environment. From hands-on maintenance to mentoring staff you’ll play a vital role in preserving these amazing gardens.

Balancing public use with horticultural excellence, you’ll navigate competing priorities, respond to challenges on the ground, and liaise with event managers to keep gardens thriving. Your leadership will shape a skilled team, ensuring quality plant care, record-keeping, and heritage-sensitive Project management.

For more information read the full Role Description: Senior Horticulturist

What you will bring to the role

• Hold a current Australian Driver Licence
• Ability to undertake fieldwork for extended periods (outside of normal working hours and on weekends if required) and have the ability to lift and carry a minimum 15 kilos.
• Proven team leadership experience with the ability to develop and manage a diverse team
• Extensive experience in project management
• Proficiency in maintenance of large-scale gardens
• Strong self-management skills, effective communication, ability to work collaboratively
• A passion for horticulture and commitment to improving and enhancing heritage plant collections

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a large team, providing guidance, support and clear communication to staff and management to ensure successful execution of well-maintained plant collections and projects
• Working within budget restraints
• Expertise in using a wide range of horticultural plant and equipment.
• Proven experience in operational maintenance, coordinating work programs, and leading teams in a dynamic public space.
• Skills in training staff, managing maintenance programs, and upholding high safety and horticultural standards.
• Ability to undertake fieldwork for extended periods (outside of normal working hours and on weekends if required) and have the ability to lift and carry a minimum of 15 kilograms
• Demonstrated ability in the maintenance and use of a wide range of horticultural plant and equipment
• Demonstrated experience in the coordination, operational maintenance and development of large park and garden

Essential requirements:

• Horticultural trades certificate or equivalent experience and technical knowledge in horticulture and maintenance techniques

About us
Botanic Gardens of Sydney, under the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, is Australia’s oldest scientific institution and a custodian of over $1.2 billion in cultural, heritage, and botanical collections. As the premier botanical research institute, we encompass world-leading botanic gardens and Sydney’s leading outdoor live entertainment precinct. We engage international, national, and regional visitors, making us a leading entity in the NSW tourism sector.

Why join our team?

• Fantastic Team Culture – Be a part of passionate and hard-working teams who approach their busy day-to-day work with good humour and a sense of fun
• Genuine long-term Career Opportunities – Opportunity to grow your career as a Senior Horticulturalist specialist.
• Focus on Wellbeing and Work/Life Balance – A regular rostered/allocated day off can be accrued. The Fitness Passport program gives members discounted access to gym, aquatic, and leisure facilities across NSW.
• Benefits – Staff are entitled to supplied Uniform, tools of trade, mobile phone. A fantastic culture with dynamic collaboration and genuine long- term career support Fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected and empowered to succeed

Join us
If you are excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role. We will only accept online applications via this link here: https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/senior-horticulturist-511265

Applications close 11.55pm on Monday 24^th March 2025.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Ian Black on 02 9231 8368 or [email protected].

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. 

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via [email protected] or (02) 6363 7676​ – HR Support, option 3, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference ‘Request an Adjustment – Job Title and Reference Number’.