Senior 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

The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) is the nation's largest living collection of Australian native plants. 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 ANBG works closely with other Commonwealth parks to support plant conservation initiatives. The ANBG is uniquely placed to provide holistic solutions for national plant conservation, with combined expertise in, and specialist science facilities for, botanical taxonomy, evolution and systematics, seed biology and horticulture.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply. We recognise the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people play in our workplace. We aim to attract, recruit and develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. Our priority is to ensure a safe workplace where we celebrate all cultures.

The Job

The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) in Canberra is a leading institution for the conservation, study, and display of Australian native flora. We are seeking an experienced and motivated senior horticulturist to join the Living Collections team. The successful candidate will contribute to the strategic management of horticultural assets and support the ANBG's conservation, education, and visitor engagement objectives. Under limited supervision the position will support horticulture and landscape management across the ANBG site including:

• Undertaking complex horticultural duties related to the ANBG Living Collections and horticultural displays in accordance with accepted horticultural practices and procedures, including the recognition of weeds, pests and diseases and appropriate control methods, along with tree works, vehicle, irrigation, lawn and any other living collections management functions.
• Manage and maintain a defined area of the Gardens landscape and living collections on a rotating basis, and contribute as necessary to maintenance activities broadly across the Gardens site, ensuring plant health, high-quality presentation, safety and accurate labelling.
• Providing technical guidance and mentoring to horticulture staff, trainees, and volunteers and coordinate with other horticulture staff.
• Undertaking and ensuring the safe use and regular maintenance of plant and equipment in accordance with ANBG practices and procedures.
• Undertaking and ensuring the safe use of chemicals and fertilisers in accordance with ANBG practices and procedures.
• Apply Australian National Botanic Gardens WHS policies. Conduct hazard and risk assessments as needed.
• Contributing information to the horticultural record system and section and area planning managed by the Horticulture Supervisor.
• Collaborate with internal teams, researchers, and external stakeholders to support conservation and broader land management outcomes, and provide information relating to the ANBG to members of the public

Flexible employment arrangements are available with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water