Senior Horticulturist - Calyx & Nursery

Nrmjoenvironmental Jobs, Nrm; Sydney; On-site; AUD 86,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day fortnight

Job summary

Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust in Sydney is seeking a Senior Horticulturist to lead operations across the Calyx and Nursery. You will coordinate day-to-day activities, supervise staff and contractors, and drive high-quality displays while supporting living collections.

The role requires hands-on horticulture, strong leadership, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities across a busy public space. Competitive salary ($86,347–$95,482) plus super and a 9-day fortnight are on offer.

Qualifications

• Horticultural trades certificate or equivalent experience.
• Ability to undertake fieldwork for extended periods and weekends if required, with lifting of at least 15 kilos.
• Demonstrated maintenance and use of a wide range of horticultural plant and equipment.
• Experience coordinating operations in a large park or garden.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day operations across Calyx and Nursery.
• Supervise staff and contractors; coach and develop team.
• Deliver and maintain high-quality horticultural displays.
• Support nursery operations, plant production and living collections.
• Provide practical horticultural advice; ensure safety and standards.

Skills

Propagation

Plant selection

Staff supervision

Planning & organisation

Communication

Safe work practices

Driver's license

Education

Horticultural trades certificate or equivalent

Tools

Horticultural equipment

Job description

Build your future in work with real impact

• Permanent full-time opportunity (38 hours/week).
• Based at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
• Salary relative to experience and ranges from $86,347 to $95,482 + super.
• 9-day fortnight.

The role

Bring your horticultural expertise and leadership skills to Botanic Gardens of Sydney in a diverse Senior Horticulturist role working across the Nursery and the Calyx.

The Senior Horticulturist Nursery/Calyx co-ordinates all operations related to our prized horticultural exhibition space (Calyx), its famous green wall, in addition to being responsible for Nursery glasshouse potted collections.

With a strong focus on horticultural operations within the Calyx, you'll coordinate day-to-day activities, help deliver and maintain high-quality horticultural displays, and supervise and develop staff and contractors. You'll also work as an integral part of the Nursery team, supporting nursery operations, plant production and the care and development of our living collections.

This is a hands-on and varied role requiring flexibility to work across both the Calyx and Nursery as operational priorities change. You'll balance competing demands, provide practical horticultural and technical advice, and collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to maintain high standards of plant care, presentation, safety and horticultural practice.

For more information read the full Role Description:

What you will bring to the role

• Strong technical horticultural expertise, including demonstrated propagation and plant selection experience, with a focus on understanding the challenges of maintaining potted collections. .
• Experience coordinating horticultural operations and supervising staff and contractors, with the ability to coach, develop and support others to deliver quality outcomes.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and respond to changing demands across a busy public environment.
• Clear communication and collaborative working skills, with the ability to share technical information and work effectively with colleagues, contractors and other stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to safe work practices, with practical knowledge of horticultural plant, equipment and maintenance techniques.
• A current Driver's License.

What is an essential requirement:

• Horticultural trades certificate or equivalent experience and technical knowledge in horticulture and maintenance techniques.
• Ability to undertake fieldwork for extended periods (outside of normal working hours and on weekends if required) and have the ability to lift and carry a minimum 15 kilos.
• Demonstrated ability in the maintenance and use of a wide range of horticultural plant and equipment.
• Demonstrated experience in the coordination, operational maintenance and development of a large park or garden.

About us

, under the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, is Australia's oldest scientific institution and a custodian of over $1.2 billion in cultural, heritage, and botanical collections. As the premier botanical research institute, we encompass world-leading botanic gardens and Sydney's leading outdoor live entertainment precinct. We engage international, national, and regional visitors, making us a leading entity in the NSW tourism sector.

Why join our team?

• Fantastic Team Culture - Be a part of passionate and hard-working teams who approach their busy day-to-day work with good humour and a sense of fun!
• Genuine long-term Career Opportunities - Opportunity to grow your career as a Horticulturist.
• Focus on Wellbeing and Work/Life Balance - A regular rostered/allocated day off can be accrued. The Fitness Passport program gives members discounted access to gym, aquatic, and leisure facilities across NSW.