Horticultural Trainee

1 JOB DESCRIPTION

Faculty / School or Division: External Estates

Faculty/School or Division Address: University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Hollybush Lane, Stoke
Bishop, Bristol, BS9 1JB

Job Family: Technical Services

Grade: Apprentice Level 3 Salary range: £16,380 per annum
Hours of work: 35 Contract type: Fixed 2-year
Work pattern: Monday - Friday Vacancy Reference Number: SUPP105674

1.1 Main Job Purpose

To provide an opportunity to train the next generation of horticulturists. The Horticultural Trainee will
work in horticulture to develop their skills and experience to enable them to be suitable qualified and
experienced to obtain a role as a professional horticulturist. The Horticultural Traineeship will run
over two years allowing the post holder to experience the Botanic Garden through the seasons and
gain plenty of experience in carrying out the key horticultural tasks and develop a plant knowledge.

The Horticultural Trainee will attend RHS Level 2 and Level 3 course (as appropriate) and other short
courses/study days organised by the Botanic Garden, to further their academic study and support
their practical experience.

The Horticultural Trainee will be based at the University’s Botanic Garden, (attracting around 30,000
visitors p.a.) and part of a national and international network of Botanic Gardens numbering 3400.
The Trainee will mainly work with the Botanic Garden team to help develop and maintain the
University Botanic Garden as a teaching and research resource for the University, and a cultural
resource for the citizens of Bristol. The plant collections are varied, and many are unique in the UK.
The Horticultural Trainee will learn about and experience the high level of horticulture needed to
ensure plant collections are successfully cultivated, propagated and displayed to maximise their
educational value.

The Botanic Garden is part of External Estates, which provides a comprehensive maintenance service
to all gardens and open spaces owned by the University of Bristol.

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1.2 Main Statement of Responsibilities

Analysis, Reporting and Documentation

Record plant names and accession records and relevant documentation as part of their horticultural
training at the Botanic Garden. To assist with the observation and identification of pests and
diseases with the plant collections.

Customer Services & Support

To help visitors to the Botanic Garden access the plant collections, by giving directions, advice and
assisting on some tours (for example school tours). To assist Garden staff with public engagement
activities both on and off site, e.g. at the Festival of Nature.

Planning & Organising

Organise project work within guidance of senior staff. Plan time and work through workload as
specified by a senior member of the team.

Liaison
Liaison between Co-ordinators and other staff members and volunteers to ensure work is
undertaken safely and to the required standard.

Decision Making
Make own decisions within a required framework as specified by a senior members of staff.

Problem Solving
Solve problems within agreed parameters referring to senior staff for guidance and support on more
complex issues.

Continuous Improvement
As part of the traineeship continue to develop through self-directed and directed study on RHS Level
2 & 3 courses, plus additional courses and study days as appropriate. Learn through working with
others and through own self-directed learning to achieve high standards and obtain the RHS
qualifications through the biannual examinations.

People Management
Support other colleagues and garden volunteers.

1.3 Relationships

Line manager: Glasshouse and Garden Co-ordinators

Line manager to (where appropriate): N/A

1.4 Organisation Charts

Director of Estates Garden Director

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External Estate Manager

Curator

Horticultural Grounds Office Admin Admin Education & Glasshouse Outside

Co-ordinator Co-ordinator Administrator Assistant Assistant Tour Programme Co-ordinator Co-ordinator
Administrator
Mechanic & Visitor Co-ordinator

Web & Social Media Co-ordinator

Horticultural Grounds Volunteers & Senior Botanical Horticulturist
Supervisor Supervisor

Horticultural Grounds Horticultural Horticultural Botanical Volunteers

Technician Technician Trainee Trainee Horticultural
Post Holder Technician

1.5 Job Hazards/Safety Critical Duties (Pre-employment health screening)

The following duties are an intrinsic part of the role and any offer of employment will be conditional
upon satisfactory health screening by the University Occupational Health Service:

• Manual handling through daily practical gardening

• Extremes of weather, sun, hot, cold and wet through working outside.

2 PERSON SPECIFICATION

2.1 Relevant Experience, Skills and Knowledge

Essential
• Gardening experience
• Enthusiastic about plants and a career in the horticultural industry
• Good computer skills Microsoft Word, web searches and Email
• Be able to use initiative to solve probelms

Desirable
• Experience in talking to groups of people
• Experience of Excel spreadsheets

2.2 Relevant Qualifications

Essential

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 • A Levels or equivalent
• GCSE in Maths and English

Desirable
• First Aid Training

2.3 Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Essential
• Good commincation skills
• Experince in working with groups of people

Desirable
• Experience of working in a public facing role

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