Full time, permanent
£27,617.85
Do you want to be part of something amazing, and join one of the UK’s leading educational charities? A place where we are driven by a sheer love of plants, the natural world and the belief that we all can make the world a better place, and where you will be working alongside some of the best horticulturists in the country.
Our mission is to demonstrate and inspire positive action for the planet. Eden Project Cornwall is our original and flagship site, and one of the most popular attractions in the southwest of the country, attracting over 700,000 visitors each year.
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and passionate horticulturist for our Outer Estates Gardens Team. The Outer Estates Garden Team covers approximately 200 acres of diverse, species-rich landscapes including gardens, woodland, habitats and steep terrain.
Our ideal candidate will be a team player and a good communicator, who is interested in countryside management or have a background in this kind of work. Experience in strimming, hedge cutting experience, spraying licence PA1 / PA6 – use of tractors and P.T.O. attachments Flails / mowers etc. and chipping equipment is essential.
A Chainsaw Ticket is preferable, as well as several years of experience in looking after Estates.
The closing date for this position is Friday 31 July 2026
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Family Definition
Roles within Horticulture (Cultivation, Education and Landscape) job family are dedicated to 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
Overview: Implements the effective propagation, cultivation, maintenance of plants, landscapes and ecosystems within Eden, protecting, enhancing and sustaining Eden’s living theatre as a leading green destination. Developing and implementing planting and landscape schemes as directed by the management to the highest possible level.
Your work will be on the outer estate’s forests, agricultural lands and on occasion off site carrying out contracted work. Work will include the use a wide range of equipment and plant. A high level of responsibility/independence is required with competence and certification in a range of equipment. Working conditions are variable and sometimes harsh
Key Accountabilities
- Maintains the landscape exhibits and 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 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 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. 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 willingness to excel and eagerness to learn and develop within the field.
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 normal and 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.
