Horticulturist

Board Of Trustees Of The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Board Of Trustees Of The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is seeking Horticulturist to support the Biomes programme. Roles involve relocation, establishment and care of living plant collections in Edinburgh, working as part of a collaborative team onsite.

The positions include 1 Nursery and 2 Outdoor Living Collection, with a full-time 35-hour week. 6-month fixed-term contracts end by 31 March 2027, offering a hands-on environment for plant propagation, maintenance and biosecurity compliance.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates a commitment to delivering work to a high standard with attention to detail.
• Works effectively as part of a team, taking guidance when needed.
• Shows initiative, motivation and the ability to manage and prioritise tasks independently.
• Experience of carrying out routine garden and grounds maintenance activities.
• Interest in, and enthusiasm for, herbaceous plants, shrubs and horticulture more broadly.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to develop skills in, plant propagation techniques.
• Understanding of plant health, including the identification and management of common pests, diseases and plant care requirements.
• At least two years' practical horticultural experience, or equivalent relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the relocation and re-establishment of trees, shrubs and other plant collections from areas undergoing development.
• Assist with the careful dismantling and preparation of existing landscaped areas to support redevelopment and improvement projects.
• Carry out turf repairs and reinstatement works, including turf laying, edging, seeding and aftercare.
• Relocate nursery stock, irrigation systems and plant support structures, ensuring assets are protected and maintained throughout the process.
• Assist with the safe relocation and organisation of potted plant collections.
• Carefully dismantle, store and prepare glasshouse benches, growing units and related equipment for reuse, supporting sustainable working practices.
• Maintain and organise storage and yard areas to ensure horticultural materials, equipment and supplies are managed safely and efficiently.
• Support effective waste management practices, including recycling and the responsible disposal of horticultural materials.
• Undertake a variety of routine horticultural maintenance activities, including weeding, hoeing, digging, mulching and seasonal clearance works.
• Maintain herbaceous plantings through activities such as division, pruning and cutting back, helping to enhance the quality and diversity of the garden.
• Plant and transplant trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and bulbs, providing appropriate aftercare including staking, watering, mulching and deadheading.
• Carry out pruning and training of trees, shrubs, climbers and wall-trained plants in line with horticultural best practice.
• Maintain formal and informal hedges to a high standard, contributing to the overall appearance and health of the landscape.
• Safely operate and maintain horticultural machinery and equipment, including mowers, strimmers and leaf blowers, ensuring tools are clean, serviceable and fit for purpose.
• Assist with the removal and processing of larger tree material, including stumps, branches and the operation of wood chipping equipment where appropriately trained.
• Identify and remove diseased plant material in accordance with biosecurity procedures and garden management practices.
• Act as a welcoming and knowledgeable ambassador for the garden, engaging positively with visitors and responding helpfully to questions where appropriate.
• Protect and safeguard the living collections during all horticultural, maintenance and development activities.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and undertake any other reasonable duties that support the effective operation of the garden, commensurate with the responsibilities of the role.

Skills

Attention to detail

Team worker

Initiative

Horticultural maintenance

Plant knowledge

Plant health knowledge

Horticultural experience

Education

Horticultural qualification

Job description

Horticulturist (3 vacancies)

Roles: 1 x Nursery, 2 x Outdoor Living Collection

Contract type: Fixed-term opportunity of up to 6 months. Contract length will vary depending on the successful candidate's start date, with all contracts ending by 31 March 2027.

Working hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)

Location: Edinburgh (onsite)

Salary: £27,366

Job Description

Purpose

To deliver high-quality horticultural work in support of the Biomes programme, contributing to the relocation, establishment and care of nationally important living plant collections. Working as part of a collaborative team, these roles help protect and enhance the garden's landscapes and collections.

Core Responsibilities

• Support the relocation and re-establishment of trees, shrubs and other plant collections from areas undergoing development.
• Assist with the careful dismantling and preparation of existing landscaped areas to support redevelopment and improvement projects.
• Carry out turf repairs and reinstatement works, including turf laying, edging, seeding and aftercare.
• Relocate nursery stock, irrigation systems and plant support structures, ensuring assets are protected and maintained throughout the process.
• Assist with the safe relocation and organisation of potted plant collections.
• Carefully dismantle, store and prepare glasshouse benches, growing units and related equipment for reuse, supporting sustainable working practices.
• Maintain and organise storage and yard areas to ensure horticultural materials, equipment and supplies are managed safely and efficiently.
• Support effective waste management practices, including recycling and the responsible disposal of horticultural materials.
• Undertake a variety of routine horticultural maintenance activities, including weeding, hoeing, digging, mulching and seasonal clearance works.
• Maintain herbaceous plantings through activities such as division, pruning and cutting back, helping to enhance the quality and diversity of the garden.
• Plant and transplant trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and bulbs, providing appropriate aftercare including staking, watering, mulching and deadheading.
• Carry out pruning and training of trees, shrubs, climbers and wall-trained plants in line with horticultural best practice.
• Maintain formal and informal hedges to a high standard, contributing to the overall appearance and health of the landscape.
• Safely operate and maintain horticultural machinery and equipment, including mowers, strimmers and leaf blowers, ensuring tools are clean, serviceable and fit for purpose.
• Assist with the removal and processing of larger tree material, including stumps, branches and the operation of wood chipping equipment where appropriately trained.
• Identify and remove diseased plant material in accordance with biosecurity procedures and garden management practices.
• Act as a welcoming and knowledgeable ambassador for the garden, engaging positively with visitors and responding helpfully to questions where appropriate.
• Protect and safeguard the living collections during all horticultural, maintenance and development activities.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and undertake any other reasonable duties that support the effective operation of the garden, commensurate with the responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification

Essential Skills

• Demonstrates a commitment to delivering work to a high standard, with attention to detail and quality.
• Works effectively as part of a team, taking guidance when needed.
• Shows initiative, motivation and the ability to manage and prioritise a variety of tasks independently.
• Experience of carrying out routine garden and grounds maintenance activities.
• Interest in, and enthusiasm for, herbaceous plants, shrubs and horticulture more broadly.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to develop skills in, plant propagation techniques.
• Understanding of plant health, including the identification and management of common pests, diseases and plant care requirements.
• At least two years' practical horticultural experience, or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable Skills

• A horticultural qualification, or equivalent relevant training.
• Comfortable using digital tools and systems, with the ability to learn new software and applications as required.
• PA1/PA6 pesticide application certification.
• A full, valid driving licence.