Dendrologist

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Forestry Commission England

Closing date: 25 November 2018

Reference number: 1606928

Salary: £23,293 - £24,633

Contract type: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Location: Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QS

Person specification

This is a very rare and exciting opportunity to join the team tasked with looking after the living collection and historic landscape at Westonbirt. We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual with a passion for plants, eager to develop their botanical knowledge in order to help raise curatorial standards at The National Arboretum.

Purpose of the Job

To continue the implementation of a programme of plant identification and verification, to help further improve the standard of curation and raise the status of the living tree collection as a world-class resource for science and learning.

Key Work Areas

• Undertake a continuous programme of identification and verification, liaising with other botanical gardens, arboreta and appropriate plant expertise as needed.
• Make full use of partner organisations and facilities such as the RBG Kew Herbarium, to improve knowledge of Westonbirt’s trees and shrubs.
• Build good working relationships with plant experts at other botanical collections and arboreta, in order to share information and further build knowledge within the staff group at Westonbirt.
• Work closely with Database & Mapping Officer to ensure that plant records and GIS maps are updated to international standards, and ensure taxonomic information is accurate.
• Work closely with the Propagator to ensure appropriate acquisition of plants in line with agreed management plans and policies, as well as international conventions and protocols.
• Assist the Curator with identification of new plant accession targets and wild seed collection trips.
• Oversee the work of volunteers, including the flora, fauna and phenology groups.
• Oversee the implementation of the Westonbirt Flora and Sward Management Plan.

Experience

Essential

• The ability to work well as part of a team, as well as the ability to work independently and use your initiative to perform the role to a standard befitting of the National Arboretum.
• A passion for woody plants, with an aptitude and appetite for expanding your knowledge.
• The ability to be meticulous, in order to keep accurate records and provide reliable reports.

Desirable

• To have access to a network of fellow dendrologists and/or plant experts.
 

Professional and Technical Expertise

Essential

• A knowledge of temperate woody plants, in particular those genera which feature prominently in the Westonbirt collection.
• A knowledge of botany, taxonomy, plant identification methods and nomenclature.
• A proficient use of MS applications required for this role – in particular Word, Excel and Outlook.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a botanic garden, arboretum or tree collection.
• A knowledge of botanical database recording, with a package such as IrisBG.
• A proficient use of a mapping system, such as the ArcView GIS mapping system.

Qualifications

• A relevant qualification in botany, horticulture, arboriculture or forestry

For more information and to apply, please click the "Apply button"