Horticulturist

Who we are
Australia's natural and cultural heritage is unique. Our land and seascapes are distinctive, home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, and to some of the oldest living cultures on earth. These environments and cultures are an essential part of our national identity, and visitors travel from across the country and the world to experience them.
The Director of National Parks (the Director) is responsible for six national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, 58 Australian Marine Parks and the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Parks Australia is the federal park agency that supports the Director, and they are a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department). We work to showcase these natural and cultural wonders to the world, demonstrating to all why these places are so special, and inspiring communities to become more invested in their care and future.
The Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch leads science and conservation planning and policy for Parks Australia and conducts research in conservation and biodiversity management through a range of programs. We engage in and coordinate diverse research partnerships and ensure First Nations knowledge and innovative solutions are core to our work, enabling us to enhance engagement and embed science into decision-making at all levels. Our work includes:

• Strategic science planning and prioritisation and shaping research partnerships for Parks Australia.
• Leading cross-cutting research to support Parks Australia - in areas such as climate change adaptation, nature positive and knowledge weaving.
• Providing scientific support for Protected Areas policy and Park Management Plans
• Managing the Australian National Botanic Gardens, home to our Branch and the nation's largest living collection of native plants.
• Innovation in the cross-cutting application of new technologies and data analytics to meet science and application outcomes.
• Facilitating research and science capacity building and education.
• Curating national collections of biological data and conserving and protecting plants through systematics research, seed banking and ex situ conservation.
• Regulatory compliance, operational frameworks and capability support for the use of drones across the Department.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) is the nation's largest living collection of Australian native plants. It is tranquil setting for walking and spending time with family and friends, and a living classroom for visitors of all ages. We directly contribute to safe-guarding Australia's plant species from extinctions and are responsible for leading, building and sharing knowledge of our Australian flora. The ANBG works closely with biodiversity science programs - the Australian Biological Resources Study, the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, the National Seed Bank, and Biodiversity Informatics - in partnerships for research, for management of physical and digital biological collections, and for management of fundamental national biodiversity data and information accessed nationally and internationally.
The key duties of the position include
The Job

• Undertaking horticultural tasks to support the ANBG's scientific plant collections and horticultural displays, in accordance with maintenance schedules, horticultural standards and Living Collection policies and procedures.
• Managing a designated area of the Living Collection and landscape and participation in team works across the site.
• Undertaking and ensuring the safe use and regular maintenance of chemicals and fertilisers and, plant and equipment in accordance with WHS requirements and ANBG practices and procedures.
• Assisting in the recording of horticultural actions and maintenance of plant collection stock records and Area Management Plans.
• Working collaboratively across sectors of the ANBG including working with horticulture volunteers.

What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience

• Demonstrated knowledge and proven experience in the horticultural management of a broad range of Australian native plants in a public botanic garden setting.
• Demonstrated high level experience in horticultural and landscape maintenance and presentation and ability to be able to prioritise tasks.
• Proven ability to recognise weeds, pests, diseases, analyse plant health and suggest and / or implement appropriate management strategies and actions.
• Demonstrated ability to use a wide range of horticultural plant and equipment appropriately and safely.
• Understanding of the importance of accurate record keeping for the management of a scientific collection.

Skills and capabilities

• Ability to work effectively as an individual and as a constructive member of a team.
• Good written and communication skills.
• Effective organisational skills and ability to prioritise in a dynamic botanic garden environment.
• Hold a current class C drivers licence.

Desirable Qualifications

• Hold a certificate IV or Diploma of Horticulture.
• White Card.
• Asbestos management.
• Skid-steer, excavator, MR truck licences.
• ChemCert certificate.