- This is an incredible opportunity to lead a team of expert horticulturists working on the conservation of Australian flora through determining propagation and growing requirements, as well as overseeing the botanical installations at the Ian Potter National Conservatory.
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Work and collaborate with knowledgeable and passionate professionals from numerous disciplines at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
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The role is both meaningful and fulfilling, delivering tangible outcomes for plant conservation.
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.
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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. The team grows 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, temperate and sub-alpine species. We also have an increasing focus on collaborative conservation projects to recover threatened species in the wild. The Assistant Director leads the Conservation Horticulture and Nursery team, setting priorities in an operational environment, fostering a positive and high-performing team culture, and driving innovative approaches to conservation horticulture. The role is ideally suited to an experienced leader with a genuine passion for practical horticulture conservation. This is a busy role in a rewarding environment within a nationally significant institution that welcomes visitors seven days a week. We are seeking an energetic and supportive leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, can effectively balance priorities, inspire a high-performing team, and champion innovative approaches to conservation horticulture. The successful candidate will also work collaboratively across the ANBG to deliver shared outcomes and advance the Gardens' mission.
In this role you will be responsible for:
- Leading and managing the Conservation Horticulture & Nursery team, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture and building staff capability, including line management of team members and oversight of daily operations.
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Planning and delivering nursery operations, including annual work programs, budgets, and continuous improvement of horticultural practices.
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Overseeing the botanical aspects of the Ian Potter National Conservatory and ensuring that the horticultural displays are appropriate for a major new attraction at a national institution.
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Providing expert horticultural advice to support the living collection and conservation programs, including input into the design, coordination, and reporting of conservation and horticultural projects, as well as contributing to publications.
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Participating in the ANBG leadership team and contributing to ANBG leadership priorities, including implementation of the Management Plan and Living Collection Strategy.
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Ensuring accurate plant propagation and performance records, maintaining data integrity across systems.
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Managing horticultural infrastructure and environmental systems to meet operational requirements.
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Collaborating across ANBG teams to plan and deliver propagation programs for diverse Australian native species.
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Representing ANBG as a subject matter expert and engage stakeholders through professional networks and public activities.
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Promoting and ensuring compliance with WHS and emergency management requirements.
What you'll gain from the experience
This is an incredible opportunity to lead a team of expert horticulturists in developing and maintaining the most diverse collection of Australian native plants, including many threatened species. The role is both meaningful and fulfilling, delivering tangible outcomes for plant conservation.
What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
Knowledge and experience:
- Extensive experience leading and delivering nursery and horticultural operations, including plant cultivation, propagation, infrastructure management, and environmental control systems, with demonstrated expertise in growing a diverse range of Australian native plants.
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Strong project, workplan, and budget management experience, with the ability to deliver outcomes and drive continuous improvement.
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Sound knowledge of plant conservation in the Australian context, particularly threatened species conservation programs.
Skills and capabilities:
- Proven leadership capability, including building positive team culture, managing performance, and developing staff capability through coaching and training.
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Highly developed stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and represent the organisation effectively.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, present information, and contribute to publications Well-developed organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results.
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A demonstrated commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace, reflective of APS values and striving for best practice workplace health and safety.
Desirable qualifications
- A Certificate IV or higher qualification in Horticulture or equivalent is highly desirable.
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Minimum 10 years’ experience in nursery operations.
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Construction Induction White Card (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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Note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend 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
Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.
Security Clearance - this position requires a
Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
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
