Horticulturist

About the Role

Our client is seeking a Horticulturist to supports 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.

Key accountabilities:

• Works independently and co-operatively within a team to implement garden and horticultural work and maintenance programs ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of horticultural services and duties to maintain, conserve and develop the character and composition of MHNSW sites’ historic gardens, landscapes and plant collections. 
• Provide information and interpretation of the site’s garden history, horticulture and plant conservation to engage and inform site visitors and to promote the site’s horticultural preservation and development. 
• Assist in the preparation and actioning of maintenance programs for the control of plant diseases and insects to ensure long-term soil, plant and garden nutrition and conservation by undertaking pest and weed control, soil conditioning and propagation activities while preserving the existing collection of heritage species in accordance with industry standards and established work health and safety policies and procedures. 
• Exercise sound judgement in balancing competing demands, operational needs and priorities to ensure tasks and activities are completed, maintenance and special project and event schedules are met. 
• Conduct regular audits of the property to identify those areas of the gardens and landscapes that require immediate or planned responsive action such as the removal of fallen tree limbs, weeds, litter, self propagated foreign plants, diseased or dying plants and replant healthy, site-relevant plants as appropriate. 
• Work in accordance with Museums of History NSW Work, Health and Safety policy and related procedures to ensure horticulture work activities do not endanger the health and safety of workers or other people at MHNSW properties, including contractors, visitors, school groups and events 
• Work in accordance with property specific safe work procedures for plant, equipment, chemicals and high risk activities to ensure known risks are eliminated or minimised as reasonably practicable 
• Liaise with the Horticulture Coordinator to confirm that all plant and equipment, including personal protective equipment, is maintained and in good working order and other resources are well stocked.

Essential requirements:

• Essential requirements 
•  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.
• 2 x checkable work references

If this sounds like you, apply now by emailing your resume to Daniel Jang *****@completestaff.com.au. 

Complete Staff Solutions is an agency based in Parramatta providing recruitment solutions to Sydney organisations.

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