Horticultural Assistant

Orchid; Pulborough; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

A conservation charity in Pulborough seeks a part-time assistant horticulturalist to care for rare orchids and assist in public events. The ideal candidate will have a passion for horticulture and orchids, be reliable, and hold a UK driving license. Responsibilities include care of the orchid collections and support during events. The position offers a salary of £25,000 - £30,000 pro rata based on experience, with benefits including paid professional development opportunities and a travel allowance.

Benefits

Paid professional development opportunities

Travel allowance to events

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic about orchid care and horticulture.
• Prepared to work weekends for Events.
• Must have a valid UK driving license.

Responsibilities

• Care for rare and endangered orchid collections.
• Assist with Open Days and Orchid Shows.
• Supervise volunteers in basic horticultural tasks.

Skills

Passion for orchids

Team reliability

Driving license

Job description

The Mathers Foundation is an award-winning orchid conservation charity based in Pulborough, West Sussex looking after over 20,000 orchids including six National Collections® with state‑of‑the‑art greenhouses with the support of a highly experienced Head Nurseryman and a group of dedicated volunteers.

We are looking for an assistant horticulturalist to work with our Head Nurseryman, Jim Durrant. Following the arrival of several new major orchid collections this year, we are looking for an individual to work with Jim in looking after the 20,000 plants that are cultivated in our glasshouses. Even though these glasshouses are highly automated, the plants still require expert care and attention during the year and we are looking for a grower who is passionate about orchids, their conservation and their horticulture to work with Jim. On‑the‑job training will be provided, both by Jim and by the rest of the team, including the Founders.

We have Guided Tours and Events throughout our flowering season and collaborate with orchid and other experts to advance our goals in research and conservation and public engagement.

Position: Part‑time

Hours – 8am – 4pm, including one hour for lunch and breaks, Monday, Wednesday, Friday plus some weekend work for Events

Salary – £25,000 p/a (pro rata) up to £30,000 p/a (dependent on experience)

Benefits – Paid professional development opportunities; travel allowance to events

Duties

• Care for collection of rare and endangered orchids under supervision.
• Assist in Open Days and Orchid Shows
• Supervise volunteers in basic tasks
• Assist with documentation of collection – accessioning, taking photographs and identifying unknown plants
• Contribute to media work on orchids
• Assist with selling orchids both at Events and by mail order

What we are looking for

• Passion for orchids, horticulture and conservation
• Reliable team member who is prepared to go ‘above and beyond’
• Driver (a driving licence for driving within the UK - this is essential)
• Ideally 3 days a week initially (Mon/Wed/Fri)
• Weekend work (TBC) for Open Days and Events

To apply:

Please send application form and equal opportunity form to [e-mail]. Our application form is available to download on our website. Please use it as we cannot accept applications via a CV or resume, and we can only consider applications from UK residents or those with the right to work in the UK.