Horticultural Engagement Officer

University Of Bristol Botanic Garden; Woking; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Horticultural Engagement Officer to support diverse groups in exploring horticulture careers. The role includes managing engagement activities and maintaining the Greener Skills Garden at RHS Garden Wisley. Candidates should have a good knowledge of horticulture and strong communication skills. This part-time position offers flexibility, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the community.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience of working in an engagement and training environment.
• Creative and positive about working practically across engagement activities.
• Experience of engaging with and facilitating youth panels.
• Experience engaging with underrepresented groups.
• Flexible, agile, and able to adapt to changing environments.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluating data.

Responsibilities

• Support the Horticultural Engagement Manager in various activities.
• Engage diverse groups in horticultural careers guidance.
• Curate and maintain the Greener Skills Garden.
• Collaborate with partners and youth panels to co-create opportunities.

Skills

Knowledge of horticulture

Strong communication skills

Ability to engage diverse groups

Time management

Experience in training environment

Horticultural skills to Level 2

Creative approach to engagement

Monitoring and evaluation techniques

Education

Horticultural Level 2 or equivalent

Job description

Description

30 hours per week, one Saturday per month, 08:00 – 16:30

Overview of the Role: The Horticultural Engagement Officer at RHS Garden Wisley will be joining the RHS New Shoots team at an exciting time as we build on strong foundations to expand our reach to more under‑represented groups in providing high quality horticultural careers guidance, exploration and experience. Currently live at RHS Gardens Bridgewater, Harlow Carr, Rosemoor and Wisley, and due to expand to Hyde Hall, New Shoots is a friendly, passionate and agile team delivering a range of engagement programmes at and in the vicinity of each garden.

We are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic and agile new team member with a good knowledge of horticulture, and a desire to engage diverse groups and individuals with the aim of supporting their journey to a career in Horticulture. The role of Horticultural Engagement Officer will also support our Horticultural Engagement Manager to curate and maintain our exciting new learning space, the Greener Skills Garden at RHS Garden Wisley.

This role will be for four days per week, with the opportunity to work flexibly up to two days per week (subject to on‑site engagement activity delivery) and one Saturday per month (with suitable Time off in Lieu).

Qualifications

• Relevant experience of working in an engagement and training environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of engaging underrepresented groups with engagement and training opportunities.
• Proven experience/ability in managing own time and workload.
• The ability to demonstrate strong communication skills.
• Creative and positive about working practically across engagement activities.
• Horticultural skills to at least Level 2 (or a qualification of demonstrable relevant experience).
• Highly motivated, with an energetic approach to work and the ability to coordinate a diverse workload.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• A flexible approach to work with the ability to adapt to a fast‑paced, ever‑changing environment.
• The ability to work with diverse groups of people.
• Experience of engaging with and facilitating youth panels.
• Experience of partnership working, including co‑creation with young people.
• Knowledge and understanding of the tools and techniques for monitoring and evaluating data.

How to Apply

Please visit website: https://rhsocli.webitrent.com/rhsocli_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf.open?WVID=9962857kSa&LANG=USArch

We may review applications as soon as we receive them so if you see a vacancy that you are interested in, please apply straight away as the vacancy will be closed as soon as we hire the right candidate. If you require any additional support with making your application, please contact [e-mail] and please ensure to include the job title or job reference number REQ (found at the top of the advert) when emailing.

Company

The activities of the RHS are focused on delivering a real benefit to all those involved and interested in horticulture and gardening in the UK.

The RHS owns four gardens across the UK: Wisley in Surrey, Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire, Hyde Hall in Essex and Rosemoor in Devon. In 2012/13 we welcomed more than 1.76 million visitors. We also work in partnership with more than 195 Partner Gardens giving our members free access at various times of the year. Through our gardens, we help gardeners across the UK and overseas by providing access to diverse plant collections, examples of innovative and attractive planting design and good horticultural practices. They all hold regular talks, demonstrations and walks.

The RHS aims to share practical knowledge and inspire people of all ages and abilities with an interest in plants and gardening. We offer a range of qualifications from the Level 1 Certificate through to the prestigious Master of Horticulture. For gardeners of the future, we run the Campaign for School Gardening to encourage as many children as possible to get growing. There are more than 18,000 schools involved with the campaign. We also administer a number of bursary funds and through these we support plant research, expeditions and conference attendances around the world.

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