Plant Health and Propagation Officer

Government Recruitment Service; Stroud; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government service in the United Kingdom is seeking a candidate to oversee plant health compliance and biosecurity measures. This role involves maintaining certification schemes, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supporting propagation efforts. The ideal candidate should possess strong knowledge of plant health regulations and collaborate effectively with teams. Responsibilities include monitoring for pests, managing records, and facilitating training and development. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to plant health initiatives and conservation efforts.

Qualifications

• Experience in plant health compliance and biosecurity requirements.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date records.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and maintain plant healthy certification and plant passport authorisation.
• Ensure biosecurity compliance among staff and visitors.
• Assist in gathering and processing plant material.

Skills

Biosecurity compliance

Plant health records management

Collaboration with curators and propagators

Pest and disease monitoring

Training and development

Education

Knowledge of plant health regulations

Job description

Plant Health Compliance:

• Oversee and maintain Westonbirt’s Plant Healthy Certification Scheme accreditation and Plant Passport authorisation
• Work with Propagator to ensure incoming and outgoing nursery material complies with national and international regulations and the Plant Healthy Certification Scheme requirements
• Work with Curator to ensure the Integrated Pest Management strategy is kept up to date in compliance with the UK Woodland Assurance Standard
• Maintain mandatory records and delivery/dispatch information as necessary on plant records database
• Record use of biological controls
• Work with Propagator to monitor for pest and disease within the nursery and record findings
• Support Bedgebury National Pinetum in attaining Plant Healthy Certification Scheme accreditation for their nursery

Plant Health and Biosecurity:

• Ensure biosecurity compliance among staff and visitors to nursery
• Uphold and comply with nursery biosecurity measures and environmental obligations
• Act as Westonbirt’s Tree Health Champion and point person for Westonbirt’s role within the International Plant Sentinel Network
• Support Westonbirt’s Tree Conservation Manager in organising national and international fieldwork, particularly in relation to permits and phytosanitary certification
• Represent the arboretum at plant health related meetings and conferences both internally and externally
• Liaise with Forest Research on plant health matters
• Facilitate plant health related research within the collection

Propagation Support:

• Assist with watering (including some weekends as required)
• Work with Propagator to process incoming seed as required
• Assist with fieldwork activities as appropriate

Training and Development:

• Maintain up-to-date information on plant pests and pathogens, and disseminate this within the wider team
• Provide biosecurity support to wider team
• Keep a register of Tree Team plant health responsibilities and maintain Tree Team training record
• Actively develop your skills and knowledge through personal development and training

Supervisory:

• Supervise and facilitate the work of the volunteer Phenology Group

And any other tasks, reasonably requested by your line manager.