Horticultural Technician
| Role Title | Horticultural Technician |
| Team | Horticulture |
| Reports to | Head Gardener and Area Senior Horticulturists |
| Contracted hours | Full time, 5 days per week, 18-month contract |
| Salary | £27,278 gross per annum (Real Living Wage) |
| Date Issued/Revised | February 2026 |
The Gardens are in a period of change and have recently secured a Round 2 National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) grant towards a £19m capital project. The project aims to restore the historic glasshouses, upgrade site infrastructure and displays, and improve the visitor experience for all.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG) are keen to see applications from people of all backgrounds and communities and are committed to representing the diverse nature of the city. The Gardens look forward to receiving applications from all suitable candidates and will conduct inclusive recruitment processes based on attitude, experience, and qualifications. BBG are also committed to ensuring that no-one invited to interview should be excluded due to financial circumstances and will reimburse anyone attending interview (related costs must be supported by receipts) if required.
This post is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Gardens’ Major Project.
BACKGROUND TO THE GARDENS
Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG) is one of the most historically significant Botanic Gardens in the UK; a sole survivor of its type from the group of early 19th century Botanic Gardens that were set up with public subscriptions in the UK’s major cities. The registered Grade II* landscaped Gardens occupy 15 acres and are situated just 1 mile from Birmingham City Centre and have been open to the public since 1832. The Glasshouse range encompasses a Tropical House, Sub-tropical House, Mediterranean and Arid houses and with back of house Nurseries supporting the displays as well as producing bedding plants for the historic Terrace and Bandstand.
In the present day, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is an independent educational charity aiming to offer world class environmental education in a green environment to audiences in all sectors of the community.
ROLE PURPOSE
• To assist the Head Gardener and Senior Horticulturists in delivering the glasshouse restoration as part of our capital project.
To assist the Senior Horticulturists in the execution of the Area Management Plans in line with the BBG Living Collections Strategy and Garden Management Plan.
• To contribute to the visitor experience and engagement of stakeholders
• To complete theoretical assignments to support practical work
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
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To work in accordance with BBG’s Values and behaviours, to deliver excellence to maintain and improve BBG for current and future generations
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Positively contributing to ensuring that the BBG work environment is one that supports Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for all – including, but not restricted to: staff, volunteers, trainees and apprenticeships, members of the public
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Be an enthusiastic ambassador for BBG, contributing to the visitor experience
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
PROJECT SUPPORT
Assist the Senior Display Glass Horticulturist in preparing the glasshouse collection for decant.
Assist the Head Gardener in propagation of the glasshouse collection in preparation for the project.
Assist with day-to-day glasshouse collection care and maintenance including watering, feeding, pruning, weeding etc.
Assist with day-to-day nursery collection care including watering, feeding, repotting, record keeping etc.
Work alongside the Horticulture Team to decant the glasshouse plants and move them to the nursery.
Work alongside the Horticulture Team to maintain and develop external garden areas throughout the project to ensure high horticultural standards and continued interest to visitors.
TEAMWORK, APPRENTICE, TRAINEE AND VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT
To regularly attend and contribute to team activities, including team hits, meetings and cover for other areas of the Gardens; contribute evenly to shared irrigation and mowing responsibilities
Work alongside a team of garden volunteers, other apprentices, trainees and interns
• Undertake training on horticultural tasks as agreed by Line Management and supervisors
To follow work schedules, completing routine tasks efficiently, identifying tasks and contribute to weekly meetings and work planning
• To use initiative and follow instruction of staff
Have regular contact with the Head Gardener and Senior Horticulturists and complete weekend duty work on a rota basis
HORTICULTURAL MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT
Carry out all horticultural tasks to a high standard
• Assist in the updating of electronic plant records
• Strive for Horticultural best practice, reflect and appraise own work
Contribute to the delivery of garden maintenance plan for glasshouse display and nurseries in line with the Living Collections Strategy, including horticultural festivals
Working with and developing confidence in advising volunteers in practical horticultural tasks to a high standard
Assisting the management of a glasshouse living collection, from labelling to correctly recording plants moves etc
The ability to execute and plan horticultural tasks in agreement with the Line Manager
Undertaking all horticultural tasks in line with risk assessments health and safety legislation, COSHH assessments
Learning how to support interpretation and engagement strategy by contributing copy for interpretation & marketing as well as delivering tours
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Carry out all duties in accordance with any relevant Health and Safety legislation including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, paying particular attention to the public's safety
Follow Risk assessments, COSHH assessments, follow safe systems of work procedures for specific tasks and complete incident forms
• Be aware of the dynamic nature of risk on a public site
Operate the machinery in a safe manner in accordance with the BBG Health and Safety Policy, the Codes of Practice for safe handling and manufacturer guidelines
ENGAGEMENT & INCOME GENERATION
Assist in the engagement of stakeholders in BBG; from students, volunteers, visitors from content generation to events support and answering visitor enquiries
LINE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
Some working alongside volunteers, trainees and work experience students.
SUPERVISION
Working under the direction and/or supervision of staff: Head Gardener, Director of Horticulture and Curation, Senior Horticulturists
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office environment, outdoor gardens and glasshouse environments, involves lifting/manual handling, weekends, late evenings, some lone garden working whilst other BBG staff are on site etc, hot and cold weather
GLASS HOUSE TRAINEE: PERSON SPECIFICATION
| Area | Essential | Desirable |
| Knowledge | Knowledge of BirminghamBotanical Gardens' Heritage andvalue | Knowledge of our capital project'Growing our Green Heritage' |
| Knowledge of tropical and sub tropical glasshouse plants andtheir care. | Knowledge of a wide range ofglasshouse plants, differentbiomes and environments andplant nutrition | |
| Knowledge of plant pests and theircontrols | Experience with biological controlsin glasshouses.PA1, PA6 ticket. | |
| Experience | Experience of working with plants— can include house plants,allotment growing to volunteeringin a public garden, ideally at least6months | Over a year of paid experienceworking with plants |
| Qualifications | RHS level 2 or equivalentexperience | |
| Skills | Good communication skills | Good IT Skills |
| Able to carry out tasks requiringhigh levels of manual dexterity, aswell as physically demandingtasks | ||
| Can follow instructions, takingdue care in H&S processes inparticular | ||
| Other | High attention to detail | |
| Flexible, dynamic team player | ||
| Approachable problem solver | ||
| Passionate about plants |
What we can offer:
• Pension through Royal London
• 24hour Employee Assistance Programme through BUPA
• An extra day of annual leave for your birthday!
Company sick pay
Free parking is generally available onsite
• Tea/Coffee and cold drinks provided during the working day
Discounts & Tickets: 20% discount in the gift shop; 10% discount in the Cafe; tickets for immediate family into the Gardens and special offers for one-off events throughout the year
Enquiries:
If you have any questions, wish to have an informal discussion about the role, or would like access support to apply for this role in a different way, please email jobs@birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk
To apply:
Please send your CV and covering letter to jobs@birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk
Application deadline: Monday 25th May, 12.00 midday 2026
Interviews: Currently planned for Week Commencing 1st June 2026
Alternative dates for interview will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Online interviews will be considered on request to accommodate specific travel or access needs.