Horticulturist
1 week ago
**National Botanic Garden of Wales**
**Job title**
Senior Horticulturist (Glasshouses)
**Department**
Horticulture
**Reports to**
Horticulture Supervisor
**Responsible for**
Horticulturists, Apprentices and Volunteers
**Level (if applicable)**
Senior
**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.
**Description of Role**
The Glasshouses Senior Horticulturist is responsible for the management and maintenance of the Great Glasshouse, Tropical House, Nursery Glasshouses and Plant Reception Facility and the associated plant collections. They lead a small team of horticulturists, apprentices and volunteers to undertake the seasonal activities required to maintain the Great Glasshouse, Tropical House, Nursery Glasshouses and Plant Reception Facility and its plant collections 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 will run the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for the site. They report to the Horticulture Supervisor who is responsible for all aspects of the operational duties of the horticultural team. They will coordinate with the Curator to develop and enhance the plant collections under their care.
The Glasshouses Senior Horticulturist is responsible for the curation of all plant collections that fall within the area they manage, with support from the Curator and Plant Records Officer. This includes updating plant records on an agreed audit cycle, supporting with the accessioning of material and identifying further taxa for acquisition. They will support with content creation for engagement activities and interpretation relating to the area and collections they manage. They will participate in garden events, outreach and educational activities as required.
They will support the Curator and Horticulture Supervisor to prepare budgets related to their section, and support the Horticulture Supervisor with purchasing for their section. They will support the Horticulture Supervisor in the delivery of health and safety for their section and where required the wider department. They will participate in the weekend duty rota. They will support the Horticulture Supervisor with any other reasonable duties that relate to the running of the Horticultural Department.
**Main Duties and Responsibilities**
1 Manage, maintain and enhance the living collections in the Great Glasshouse, Tropical House, Nursery Glasshouses and Plant Reception Facility working to the highest horticultural standards.
2 Lead and manage a team of horticulturists, apprentices and volunteers, promoting exemplary work practises and providing guidance and support where required.
3 Complete line management duties for Horticulturists within the section they manage using Breathe or a similar HR software system. This includes signing-off leave and TOIL and logging sickness absences.
4 Undertake performance management reviews for Horticulture staff within the section they manage.
5 Curate the living plant collections within their section, keeping accurate data-rich plant records on the plant records database and maintain labelling throughout their section.
6 Update plant records across the section they manage on an agreed audit cycle set by the Curator.
7 Research and propose plant acquisitions and developments to the area they manage to the Curator and Horticulture Supervisor.
8 Use a range of horticultural machinery for the maintenance of plant collections and garden areas.
9 Run the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for the site.
10 Support the Horticulture Supervisor with developing budgets related to the section and support with purchasing items for the section using SAGE or an alternative PSP platform.
11 Ensure all team members adhere to health and safety requirements and support the Horticulture Supervisor with departmental risk and COSHH assessments.
12 Undertake the training and development of team members and apprentices they manage with support from the Horticulture Supervisor and Curator.
13 Undertake weekend duty cover for the Department as per the weekend duty rota.
14 Participate in Garden events, public outreach and educational activities as required.
15 Support
