Horticulturist

Together we shape thriving communities, public spaces, places and economies. Temporary opportunity until February 2029. Full-time hours (38 hours/week). Location – Blue Mountains Botanic Garden – Mount Tomah. Salary relative to experience and ranges from $75,151 to $81,520 + super.

The role involves managing and developing horticultural collections, including turf maintenance, landscape construction, and the care of unique plant species. You'll work across various environments, from natural areas to nurseries, ensuring plant displays are curated to the highest standards. Collaboration is key as you’ll also guide apprentices and contractors, while ensuring all horticultural practices follow safety and environmental protocols. A key challenge in this role is balancing the needs of a diverse range of rare and endangered plants, while managing pests, weeds, and irrigation. Working in this stunning World Heritage-listed site, you’ll be surrounded by cool climate plants on a mountainside, contributing to conservation efforts in a truly exceptional setting.

What you will bring to the role:

• Experience in maintaining parks and gardens, with a passion for horticulture and a strong commitment to plant care.
• A core value of kindness, reflected in the attention and dedication you bring to nurturing living things.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team, thriving in a dynamic and busy environment.
• A positive, hands-on approach to ensure high standards in garden and plant maintenance.

Essential requirements:

• Certificate III in either Horticulture or Parks & Gardens or equivalent qualifications with experience in the maintenance of horticultural displays, pest and disease control, weed management, plant nutrition and irrigation control and in the maintenance and use of all associated plant and equipment.
• Current Australian driver licence.
• Willing to undertake fieldwork for extended periods of time.
• Able to lift and carry a minimum of 15 kilos.
• Willing and able to work outside of normal working hours and on weekends if required.

About us: Botanic Gardens of Sydney, under the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, is Australia’s oldest scientific institution and a custodian of over $1.2 billion in cultural, heritage, and botanical collections. As the premier botanical research institute, we encompass world-leading botanic gardens and Sydney’s leading outdoor live entertainment precinct. We engage international, national, and regional visitors, making us a leading entity in the NSW tourism sector.

Why join our team?

• Fantastic Team Culture - Be a part of passionate and hard-working teams who approach their busy day-to-day work with good humour and a sense of fun!
• Genuine long-term Career Opportunities - Opportunity to grow your career as a Horticulturist.
• Focus on Wellbeing and Work/Life Balance – A regular rostered/allocated day off can be accrued. The Fitness Passport program gives members discounted access to gym, aquatic, and leisure facilities across NSW.

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role. Applications close Wednesday 20th May 2026.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Marion Whitehead on marion.whitehead@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au or 02 4634 7911.

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via talent.acquisition@dpie.nsw.gov.au or (02) 63637676 - HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.