Botanical Horticulturist (Garden)

Oxford Botanic Garden is the UK’s oldest botanic garden and occupies a world-class position in terms of its history and academic location. Founded in 1621 the Garden is committed to educating people about the importance of plants, to help conserve plants from around the world, and to conduct and support teaching and research within the University and beyond. We are seeking a qualified horticulturist to cultivate, maintain and develop the collection of plants grown within the outdoor areas of the Botanic Garden. You will contribute to the planning and development of the work of the collection, working closely with the Horticultural Supervisor and the Curator and Head of Horticulture (CHH) to achieve high horticultural standards. You will participate in the day-to-day cultivation of the collection. In addition to the horticultural duties, you will support public education activities and work closely with trainees and volunteers. This post offers a unique opportunity to join a small, enthusiastic team in a busy and vibrant department. This is a full-time post, working 36.5 hours per week. About You You will have a Level 3 or equivalent horticultural qualification, or demonstrable evidence of equivalent experience, along with extensive experience of the use and maintenance of a wide range of garden machinery and equipment. You will have a solid understanding of plant collections relevant to those held at Oxford Botanic Garden, and be able to demonstrate safe working practices in the use of tools, machinery, and pesticides (NPTC Pa1 and Pa6). It would be advantageous if you have experience working in a public or heritage garden and have developed a specialist interest in a particular taxonomic or geographic group of plants. You will be collaborative, reliable, and able to work effectively as part of a small team that values precision and horticultural excellence. Responsibilities · Assisting the Horticultural Supervisor and CHH with the planning and delivery of projects at the Botanic Garden, and where appropriate, at Harcourt Arboretum. · Working in a team of horticulturalists, trainees, apprentices, junior staff and volunteers. · Contributing to the development of the collections through helping to source plants from nurseries and other collections, with the guidance from the CHH. · Liaising with contractors conducting work in the Botanic Garden. · General cultivation duties, including watering, feeding, propagation, planting, pruning, training and lawn maintenance operations; routine use, maintenance and inspection of machinery and equipment; working at height with ladders and mobile scaffolds. · Application of herbicides, pesticides, fertilisers or biological control agents. · Supporting the Plant Records Officer with labelling and collections database management. · Supporting the Senior Propagator with propagation of plants grown in the collections at the Botanic Garden and Arboretum. · Supporting guided tours and short courses on the public education programme. · Supporting the collection of material for teaching distribution, and providing practical assistance to research workers at the Garden. Selection criteria Essential selection criteria Level 3 or equivalent horticultural qualification, or demonstrable evidence of equivalent experience (Please refer to this website for further information: https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean ). 2. NPTC Pa1 (safe use of pesticides) and Pa6 (Handheld applicators). 3. Knowledge of the plant collections relevant to those held at Oxford Botanic Garden. 4. Extensive knowledge and experience of the use and maintenance of a wide range of garden machinery and equipment. Desirable selection criteria 1. Experience working in a public and or heritage setting. 2. Specialism in a particular taxonomically- or geographically-defined group of plants.

Location: South East England, GB

Posted Date: 11/20/2025