- Assist managing and advancing the tropical collection at the ANBG and the implementation and successful functioning of the new Ian Potter National Conservatory.
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Use your horticulturalists skills to plan and create innovative plant displays
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Manage a group of passionate and knowledgeable horticulturalists
Who we are
Australia’s natural and cultural heritage is unique. Our land and seascapes are distinctive, home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, and to some of the oldest living cultures on earth. These environments and cultures are an essential part of our national identity, and visitors travel from across the country and the world to experience them. The Director of National Parks (the Director) is responsible for six national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, 58 Australian Marine Parks and the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Parks Australia is the federal park agency that supports the Director, and they are a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department). We work to showcase these natural and cultural wonders to the world, demonstrating to all why these places are so special, and inspiring communities to become more invested in their care and future.
The Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch leads science and conservation planning and policy for Parks Australia, and conducts research in conservation and biodiversity management through a range of programs. We engage in and coordinate diverse research partnerships and ensure First Nations knowledge and innovative solutions are core to our work, enabling us to enhance engagement and embed science into decision-making at all levels.
Our work includes:
- Strategic science planning and prioritisation and shaping research partnerships for Parks Australia • Leading cross-cutting research to support Parks Australia – in areas such as climate change adaptation, nature positive and knowledge weaving
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Providing scientific support for Protected Areas policy and Park Management Plans
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Managing the Australian National Botanic Gardens, home to our Branch and the nation’s largest living collection of native plants
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Innovation in the cross-cutting application of new technologies and data analytics to meet science and application outcomes
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Facilitating research and science capacity building and education
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Curating national collections of biological data and conserving and protecting plants through systematics research, seed banking and ex situ conservation
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Climate adaption and policy for Parks Australia
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Evaluation and reporting to understand management effectiveness and performance of our parks, gardens and agency
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Data and information systems services for Parks Australia
The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) is the nation's most diverse collection of Australian native plants. We directly contribute to safe-guarding Australia's plant species from extinctions and are responsible for leading, building and sharing knowledge of our Australian flora. The ANBG works closely with biodiversity science programs - the Australian Biological Resources Study, the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, the National Seed Bank, and Biodiversity Informatics - in partnerships for research, for management of physical and digital biological collections, and for management of fundamental national biodiversity data and information accessed nationally and internationally. The ANBG works closely with other Commonwealth parks to support plant conservation initiatives. The ANBG is uniquely placed to provide holistic solutions for national plant conservation, with combined expertise in, and specialist science facilities for, botanical taxonomy, evolution and systematics, seed biology and horticulture. The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) in Canberra is a leading national institution for the conservation, study, and display of Australian native flora.
For more information about us please visit our website.
The job
The Conservation Horticulture & Nursery team are dedicated horticulturalists working on the conservation of Australian native plants through determining propagation and growing requirements. We grow plants for ex-situ conservation and showcasing in the ANBG as part of the world's most diverse collection of Australian flora, which includes tropical and subtropical, temperate and sub-alpine species. We also have an increasing focus on collaborative conservation projects to recover threatened species in the wild. The Tropical Collections Manager supports the Assistant Director – Conservation Horticulture & Nursery Management, through the planning, curation and day-to-day management of the ANBG's tropical collections, including in the Ian Potter National Conservatory.
This role is this role you will be responsible for:
- Managing and curating the ANBG tropical and sub-tropical plant collections in both the greenhouses and in the new Ian Potter National Conservatory (IPNC), including plant health, propagation, replacement and collection development.
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Planning for and implementing the installation of plants and the commencement of operations in the Ian Potter National Conservatory, including developing horticultural tasks, procedures, planning future displays, and working with other ANBG teams such as Visitor Experience and Education, and facilities management.
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Working closely with the Assistant Director and Horticultural Coordinators for day-to-day supervision and task allocation between the nursery and tropical collections.
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Contribute to and support planning and development of the tropical collection in collaboration with the Collections and Conservation Stewardship team, including liaising with external stakeholders to obtain new collections.
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Contribute to First Nations engagements regarding collecting on Country and the correct use of First Nations data.
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Manage tropical collection volunteers including availability, work program and supervision, and workplace health and safety.
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Represent the ANBG in as a subject matter expert and lead tours to showcase the tropical collection.
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Supporting staff to ensure a collaborative and positive working environment and support the Assistant Director to plan training and development opportunities.
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Maintaining accurate plant collection records using a range of recording and tracking mechanisms (including the use of databases) to retain the integrity of scientific plant collections.
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Manage infrastructure and environmental control systems, ensuring that its capability and programming reflect horticultural objectives.
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Participate and contribute to ANBG WHS and emergency management activities, policies, procedures and capital works programs.
What you’ll gain from the experience
This is an incredible opportunity to work alongside expert horticulturists to develop and promote a unique collection of tropical and sub-tropical plants; many of which are rare and threatened. You will also play a key role in delivering and implementing the Ian Potter National Conservatory, which will house a unique collection of tropical plants and create a lasting legacy for visitors and the community.
What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
Knowledge and experience:
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in tropical horticulture and the management of living plant collections in controlled environments, including the cultivation, propagation, and maintenance of diverse tropical species, as well as the planning, coordination, and delivery of planting and display programs that support scientific, conservation, and visitor outcomes while maintaining high standards of plant health and presentation.
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Extensive experience managing environmental control systems and infrastructure, including monitoring performance, troubleshooting issues and ensuring systems support the specialised requirements of complex plant collections.
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Well-developed project management and problem-solving skills, including the ability to plan, assess risks, prioritise and deliver projects and operational activities.
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Tracking expenditure and assisting with procurement processes and coordinating resources to achieve outcomes with operational efficiency and within agreed timeframes.
Skills and capabilities:
- Demonstrated team coordination capability, including the ability to support and guide staff and volunteers, allocate work, contribute to workforce planning and development, and foster a collaborative, positive and safety-focused team environment.
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Demonstrated stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, including working effectively with internal teams, external partners and suppliers to support collection development and operational outcomes.
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Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to present technical information clearly, contribute to public engagement activities, and represent the organisation as a subject matter expert.
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Demonstrated commitment to workplace health and safety and organisational policies, including contributing to WHS practices, emergency management and continuous improvement of workflows
Desirable qualifications
- A Certificate IV in Horticulture or equivalent is highly desirable.
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Demonstrated experience leading teams in a horticultural setting
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Minimum 7 years’ experience in production horticulture and/or maintenance of tropical flora.
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Construction Induction White Card (or willingness to obtain).
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Completion of asbestos awareness and silicosis training (or willingness to obtain).
Additional requirements
- hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence,
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note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work,
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wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy,
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wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures
Eligibility and other requirements
Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.
Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment
You may use AI tools to support your participation in this recruitment process, unless advised otherwise. If you use AI, you must ensure your use is transparent, authentic and truthful, and that all information reflects your own skills and experience.
The department may use AI in a limited, transparent and responsible way to support parts of this recruitment process. AI does not make decisions - all assessments and selection outcomes are made by people.
For more information, see:
- Artificial Intelligence Transparency Statement
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AI in recruitment | Australian Public Service Commission
