Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for stunning gardens and support butterfly breeding in a unique tropical environment.
- Company: Join the award-winning Tropical Butterfly House in South Yorkshire.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunity to develop niche expertise, and work in a vibrant team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on biodiversity and conservation while inspiring visitors.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years of gardening experience and a passion for butterflies.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on sustainability and ecological horticulture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Tropical Butterfly House Limited is seeking a skilled and passionate Horticulturist Specialist to join our team in 2026 working within our award-winning gardens and tropical house. This unique position combines high-quality estate horticulture with the ongoing development of our butterfly breeding and conservation programme.
You will play a key role in maintaining the visual excellence of our gardens and tropical environments while proactively creating, managing, and enhancing habitats that support the full life cycle of Lepidoptera. This role is ideal for an experienced gardener with a strong interest in biodiversity, conservation, and specialist plant collections.
Core Responsibilities- Deliver expert horticultural care across the estate, with a focus on herbaceous borders to ensure year-round interest, structure, and visitor appeal.
- Maintain planting schemes that balance ornamental design with ecological value.
- Manage and prune fruit trees and oversee a diverse collection of tropical and subtropical plants within controlled environments.
- Monitor soil standards, nutrition, and irrigation to maintain optimal plant health.
- Propagate plants from seed and cuttings, with particular emphasis on nectar plants and larval host plants essential to butterfly breeding.
- Support seasonal planting plans aligned with breeding cycles and species requirements.
- Identify pests and diseases promptly and implement effective management strategies.
- Prioritise organic, sustainable, and butterfly-safe horticultural practices at all times.
- Assist in the development and day-to-day support of the Tropical Butterfly House's butterfly breeding programme.
- Work collaboratively with animal and education teams to ensure plant provision supports conservation, display, and educational outcomes.
- Minimum of 3–5 years' experience in a professional gardening, horticulture, or estate management role.
- Strong knowledge of soil science, plant nutrition, and pruning (particularly fruit trees).
- Proven experience caring for tropical or delicate plant species.
- A demonstrable interest in butterflies and moths, with experience in habitat creation, pollinator-friendly gardening, or species-specific planting highly desirable.
- RHS Level 2 in Horticulture or equivalent qualification is highly desirable.
Why Join Tropical Butterfly House Limited?
- Opportunity to contribute to and help shape a specialist butterfly breeding and conservation programme.
- Work within a unique organisation that blends horticultural excellence, conservation, and public engagement.
- Competitive salary dependent on experience and the chance to develop niche expertise in tropical and ecological horticulture.
- Be part of a team that values biodiversity, sustainability, and inspiring visitors through nature.
Horticultural Specialist in Sheffield employer: BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
Contact Detail:
BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Horticultural Specialist in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Tropical Butterfly House before your interview! Research their butterfly breeding programme and conservation efforts. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience with their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees if you can. They can give you insider tips on what the team values most and what it’s really like to work there. Plus, a referral can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some thoughtful questions for your interview. Ask about their approach to sustainable horticulture or how they balance aesthetics with ecological value. This shows you’re not just interested in the job, but in contributing to their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Tropical Butterfly House team.
We think you need these skills to ace Horticultural Specialist in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your love for horticulture and butterflies shine through! We want to see your enthusiasm for biodiversity and conservation, so share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your passion.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Horticultural Specialist role. Highlight your experience with tropical plants, soil science, and any work you've done with butterfly habitats. We’re looking for specific examples that match our job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Be sure to mention how your skills align with our core responsibilities and express your excitement about contributing to our butterfly breeding programme.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this unique opportunity at Tropical Butterfly House. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
✨Know Your Plants
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of tropical and subtropical plants, especially those that are crucial for butterfly breeding. Be ready to discuss specific species and their care requirements, as well as any experience you have with nectar and larval host plants.
✨Show Your Passion for Conservation
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for biodiversity and conservation during the interview. Share any personal projects or experiences related to habitat creation or pollinator-friendly gardening. This will show that you’re not just a skilled horticulturist but also genuinely invested in the mission of the Tropical Butterfly House.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your technical skills, such as soil management, pruning techniques, and pest control strategies. Think of examples from your past work where you successfully managed these aspects, and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working with various teams, be prepared to discuss how you’ve collaborated with others in previous positions. Highlight any experiences where you supported educational initiatives or worked alongside animal care teams to enhance conservation efforts.
