Horticulturist

Horticulturist

Take part in looking after MHNSW’s green spaces and gardens for enjoyment of the public and historical accuracy. As our Horticulturist you will be part of a diverse and passionate team and have the opportunity to work within a unique heritage setting.

What the opportunity is: 

• Employment with Museums of History NSW, NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade.
• Horticultural Trades/Officer Level 6. Remuneration package includes salary ($74,050 – $76,102), employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.
• 1x Ongoing full-time and 1x Temporary full-time employment up to 28 February 2025.
• The role will work across Sydney.

What we do
MHNSW brings together the museums, historic houses and associated collections previously in the care of Sydney Living Museums with the vast collection of more than 13 million items held by the former NSW State Archives. This includes one of the world’s most complete and important collections documenting colonisation.

What you’ll do with us
This role will support the conservation and maintenance of the gardens and grounds across MHNSW sites and Heritage & Collections Division projects to conserve; develop and present these gardens and landscapes to the highest standards for the access, interpretation, enjoyment and education of visitors in accordance with the philosophies and corporate plan of Museums of History NSW.

For more information on the role please contact Steve Goldsworthy, Horticulture Coordinator on 0409 093 ***.

Click here for the role description including the capabilities required for this role.

What you need to do to apply 
To apply you will need to submit the following:

• A one to two page cover letter outlining how your skills and experiences meet the essential requirements for this role,
• A current resume listing two referees, and
• Respond to the 2 targeted questions (no more than 300 words per answer). Your responses to the targeted questions should be submitted online during your application and not included in the covering letter.

What you need to tell us - Targeted questions:

1. In an existing Historic/Heritage Garden setting, where you may need to replace old plants for new, give examples of how you would choose the correct plants.
2. Work Health and Safety (WHS) are important issues in the workplace, could you give examples of at least 3 actions you need to take before commencing a work related task.

What the essential requirements of the role are

• Appropriate trade qualifications and 2 – 3 years post-qualification work experience in a public garden with high presentation and horticultural standards.
• TAFE qualifications in Horticulture and/or equivalent.
• Comprehensive knowledge and proven experience in pest and weed control, including safe use and application of hazardous chemicals.
• Demonstrated experience in a wide range of horticultural duties including arboriculture, soft and hard landscaping incorporating gardening practices, techniques and rationale, plant recognition, cultivation and propagation and turf culture.
• Demonstrated ability to safely use, maintain and make minor repairs to electrical, mechanical and other gardening equipment.
• Ability or willingness to operate powered machinery including ride on lawn mowers and skid steers.
• Ability to operate a chainsaw in line with required guidelines.
• Possession of a valid NSW driver’s licence with the licence to operate manual vehicles.
• Possession of first aid certificate.
• Knowledge and implementation of Workplace Health and Safety and safe manual handling practices.
• Ability to manage lifting, carrying, standing, kneeling and moving around heritage sites, both internal and external environments is a genuine workplace requirement.
• Willingness to work across and ability to travel to multiple work locations. 

Also note:

• For additional resources to help prepare your application and understanding of the process please refer to Applying for a job.
• To be eligible for an ongoing role in the NSW Public Sector you need to be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident. For temporary and casual roles, you need to hold a valid visa giving you permission to work in Australia as required by the role. All successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check with NSW Police.
• A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

Submit your application before the closing date: 11.59pm Sunday 24 March 2024

Diversity and Flexible Working
We are expert keepers and tellers of history, and its many stories, peoples, and cultures.  We want to create a team and workplace that reflects this diversity as well as the diversity in the communities we serve. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better, more inclusive results and connects our people to our communities, to our history, and to each other.

Our vision is to support and empower First Nations people, communities and culture, and across the sites that we care for, we are committed to shifting perspectives, truth telling and delivering honest reflections on history.

We understand that flexibility means different things to different people and are committed to offering flexible work arrangements where and when possible.

Our team can provide alternative formats to apply, make adjustments to the recruitment process and offer information about workplace adjustments and support networks. 

If you are a person who requires adjustment and would like to request assistance, please contact Liz Akerboom on 02 8239 2*** or via ***************@mhnsw.au.

For more information, please visit:

Information on some of the different types of disabilities
Information on adjustments available for the recruitment process

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.