Horticulture Technician - Biomes

Roles within Horticulture (Cultivation, Education and Landscape) job family are dedicated to curating, understanding, developing, designing, protecting, sharing, teaching and managing Eden's living collection of plants, in a landscape environment where visitors and students are encouraged to experience and learn about plants, habitats and eco-systems and their importance in providing a sustainable future.

Role purpose

To implement the effective propagation, cultivation, maintenance of plants, landscapes and ecosystems within Eden’s biomes; protecting, enhancing and sustaining Eden’s living theatre as a leading green destination. Developing and implementing planting and landscape schemes within set timeframes, as directed by the management to the highest possible level. To contribute to the education and enjoyment of visitors to the site and to promote Eden’s mission. This is a split role, with work in the Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes and the curation of potted displays in non-gardened areas.

Rain Forest Biome: You will be mainly working in a supportive role as part of a small team in a tropical setting with tropical plants, trees and crops. A basic knowledge and interest of the tropical world is required, and previous tropical experience would be advantageous. The working environment is harsh (hot and humid) and operations may include use of specialist equipment (such as working at height with training).

Mediterranean Biome: You will be working in a supportive role as part of a small team in a Mediterranean setting with plants from such regions. A basic knowledge of Mediterranean climate plants is required and previous experience would be advantageous. The working environment can be hot and dry.

Display technician: You will be responsible for the planning, logistical organising and curation of potted plant displays across non-gardened areas (such as restaurants, offices and exterior paved areas). You may often be working alone and will need to drive.

Key accountabilities

• Maintains the living landscape exhibits and living landscapes.
• Securing Eden’s long and short-term horticultural and landscape planning to be implemented in time and with quality expected considering the environmental strategy, ethical values and educational aspirations of Eden.
• Implements renewal and maintenance programmes, ensuring appropriate soil preparation, cultivation, propagation, irrigation, amelioration and pest control activities to the required standards in terms of timescales, quality and budget.
• Monitors, evaluates and gives feedback to the management for improvement of quality, efficiency and experience.
• Ensuring all activities are carried out with adequate training and instruction in compliance with company policy and Health & Safety regulations.
• Determines and organises the requirements for supplies and equipment.
• Actively engages and interacts with external professionals, visitors and colleagues, providing practical guidance and imparting field knowledge to promote and enhance Eden’s reputation as a leading attraction in the area of agronomy, landscape design, green tourism and ethnobotany.
• Actively promotes the work of horticulture within other areas of the organisation, thereby developing and maintaining the culture of collaboration and co-operation across all departments and functions.
• Imparts specialist knowledge and skills to ensure the successful delivery of Eden’s programmes.

Demands of the Role

Education & qualifications

Preferred level of education: RHS Level 3 with some special area of interest.

Knowledge & skills

Minimum of 3 years’ experience within the field of horticulture and/or landscape. Preferably with experience of indoor horticulture. An accomplished and knowledgeable practitioner within the subject field with practical and professional expertise developed within horticulture and landscape preferably with an identified specialised skill. The job holder must possess a valid driving licence for the UK, a willingness to excel and eagerness to learn and develop within the field. Certification in PA1 and PA6 is desirable.

Decision-making

Ability to work alone as well in small teams and make balanced practical decisions on plans and priorities.

Resourcefulness

Collaborates with colleagues and other staff to devise innovative and practical ways to improve planting schemes, habitats, landscaping and foremost knowledge transfer. The job holder will be required to be flexible and use creative thinking to resolve unusual practical challenges or situations.

People & asset management

Implements projects by example within a small dedicated and knowledgeable horticultural/landscaping team, students and designated volunteers and providing on-the-job training to students as required. A shared responsibility for the health, integrity, maintenance and presentation of Eden’s living collection; Identify procurement requirements as well as sourcing and ordering for approval by budget holders.

Communication & visitor experience

Effective oral and written communication skills are important for this role which requires the job holder to engage and interact with a variety of visitors, colleagues and students in various situations requiring the use of a range of techniques and approaches. Visitor engagement includes some media writing, public walk/talks, and alike.

Operational environment

The role regularly requires physical effort and prolonged working on slopes within a variety of demanding and at times harsh climatic environments.

Character

The job requires a decisive, practical orientated, flexible, communicative person with a social creative personality who cares about the world we live in and understand and agrees to the Eden mission. Someone with a positive responsible outlook wishing to make a difference in this world.

Additional features

The job holder is required to continuously develop their technical expertise and skills while keeping abreast of current Health & Safety regulations. The job holder may be required to travel nationally and internationally to work on specific assignments or projects.