Horticulturist - Nursery

Horticulturist

We currently have an exciting full time, permanent vacancy for a Horticulturist to join our busy Nursery Team within our Plant division.

We are Chester Zoo

We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 20,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most. We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.

The Role

Our Plant Team manages all of the zoo’s horticultural features, gardens and greenhouses in our 125 acre site, including 5 National Plant Collections. We aim to create the greatest possible conservation impact for plants as well as animals.
Our new Horticulturist will assist with the maintenance of growing environments and tropical houses across the zoo site. You will use the highest horticultural standards for the care and cultivation of our extensive plant collections. Some knowledge of plant conservation activities would also be of benefit.

Our ideal candidate will:

• Have a minimum of NVQ Level 2 in a Horticultural subject and proven practical horticultural experience.
• Good plant knowledge.
• Have experience with propagation and working with National Plant Collections.
• Have an understanding of environmental and conservation issues and a passion for wildlife.
• Be hardworking, reliable and work well in a team.
• Have excellent communications skills to engage with our visitors
• Hold a full driving licence valid in the UK.
• Ideally hold a PA1 & PA6 spraying certificate.

The Package

• Contract Type Permanent
• Working Hours - 40
• Salary - £26,702.81
• 33 days annual leave plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes

We’re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?