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Horticulturist (Glasshouses)

THE NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES
Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire
Full-time
Listed 2 weeks ago
Job title
Department
Reports to
Responsible for
Level (if applicable)
Hours per week
Contract
Salary
Welsh Language

National Botanic Garden of Wales
Job Description

Horticulturist (Glasshouses)
Horticulture
Senior Horticulturist (Glasshouses)
Apprentices and Volunteers
n/a
37.5
Fixed Term Maternity Cover
£24,715.69
Desirable

About the Garden
The  National  Botanic  Garden  of  Wales  (NBGW)  is  a  centre  of  expertise  for  biodiversity,  conservation,  education,
research, and horticulture. NBGW has become an established national institution since opening in 2000, working with
partners throughout Wales and internationally. It is a Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) accredited
institution.  Based  in  Llanarthne,  Carmarthenshire,  the  568-acre  estate  features  a  mixed  landscape  comprising  of
formal gardens, a National Nature Reserve (NNR), a certified organic farm all within a Cadw Grade II* parkland. On-
site facilities include classrooms, laboratories and the National Seed Bank of Wales. Current science work is focused
on pollinators, regenerative practises in grasslands and the Welsh flora.

NBGW is a bilingual institution delivering a wide range of services and public benefits. As a tourism destination, NBGW
attracts  160,000  visitors  and  delivers  27,000  educational  contacts.  It  has  a  flourishing  two-year  horticultural
apprenticeship  programme.    Partnerships  with  universities  and  conservation  practitioners  foster  collaborative
research and conservation, collectively advancing the understanding and preservation of Wales’ natural heritage. To
learn more, visit https://botanicgarden.wales

Description of Role

The  Glasshouse  Horticulturist  reports  to  the  Senior  Horticulturist  and  is  responsible  for  supporting  the  Senior
Horticulturist with the management and maintenance of the Great Glasshouse, Tropical House, Nursery Glasshouses
and Plant Reception Facility and the associated plant collections. They are part of a team and will support the SH with
the management of apprentices and volunteers. They will undertake the seasonal activities required to maintain the
Great  Glasshouse,  Tropical  House,  Nursery  Glasshouses  and  Plant  Reception  Facility  and  its  plant  collections  as
directed  by  the  Glasshouses  Senior  Horticulturist  and  seek  to  do  this  to  the  highest  horticultural  and  curatorial
standards. They will use a range of horticultural machinery in the day-to-day management of their areas.  They report
to the Glasshouses Senior Horticulturist.

They will support with the curation of all plant collections that fall within the area they work. This includes updating
plant records, ordering and siting labels and supporting with accessioning of material and identifying further taxa for
acquisition.  They  will  support  the  Senior  Horticulturists  with  content  creation  for  engagement  activities  and
interpretation. They will participate in garden events, outreach and educational activities as required.

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They will work within the health and safety standards set with the Horticulture Department and wider Garden. They
will  participate  in  the  weekend  duty  rota.  They  will  support  with  any  other  reasonable  duties  that  relate  to  the
maintenance of the Garden and the living collections. They may be required to work in other horticultural teams from
time to time depending on the needs of the organisation.

The Glasshouse Horticulturist will have a Level 2 qualification or equivalent in horticulture or a related subject. They
will have experience of working within a professional horticultural environment. They will have a working knowledge
of Mediterranean and/or tropical flora. They will be well organised, a strong communicator and a team player. They
will have a commitment to the delivery of NBGWs Mission and Strategic Objectives.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
1

Undertake  all  seasonal horticultural  tasks necessary  to  maintain  the  areas  in  which
they work under the direction of the Senior Horticulturist.
They will use a range of horticultural machinery in the day-to-day management of their
areas.
Support the Senior Horticulturist with the management and direction of apprentices,
trainees and volunteers.
Support the Senior Horticulturist with the curation of the living plant collections within
the section they work, keeping accurate data-rich plant records on the plant records
database and support with labelling.
Support  the  Senior  Horticulturist  with  researching  and  proposing plant acquisitions
and developments to their areas.
Work within the health and safety standards set particularly for the use of machinery
and when working around the public.
Assist the Senior Horticulturist with the training and development of apprentices and
volunteers in the areas they work.
Undertake weekend duty cover for the Department as per the weekend duty rota.
Participate in Garden events, public outreach and educational activities as required.
Support  their  Senior  Horticulturist  with  content  creation  for  public  engagement  on
NBGWs work and activities related to their role and the area and collections they work
within.
Undertake any other duties as reasonably required.

2

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Person Specification

Essential

Desirable

Method
Assessment

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x

  x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Qualifications

Level  2  Certificate
in
horticulture  or  a  related
subject.

Knowledge,
abilities

skills

and

A  basic  knowledge  of
horticultural practise.

Pesticide

PA1/PA6
Certificates.
Level 2 Award in Chainsaw
Maintenance  and  Cross-
cutting

Experience

Personal qualities

A  basic  knowledge  of
plants.

The  ability  to  maintain
accurate  plant  records,
labels and maps.
Experience  of  working
within  a  professional
garden environment.

Good
communication
skills  –  written,  oral  and
interpersonal.

The  ability  to  work  as  a
member  of  a  team  and
contribute to the Mission
and  Strategic  Objectives
of NBGW.

Experience  of  working
within a botanic garden.

x

x

Experience  of  working
with volunteers.

x

x

Experience
botanical
management software.

of
using
collections

x

x

x

x

x

x

Additional requirements

Clean UK driving license

x

x

Proficiency  in  written  and
a
spoken  Welsh.  or
commitment
learn
Welsh.

to

  x

 x

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