Collection Curator

Do you want a career working in Christchurch's inner-city sanctuary? At the heart of the garden city lies the Botanic Gardens with a fantastic collection of exotic and native plant species that make up our beautiful grounds. We are seeking to employ a Collection Curator to join our passionate team.

**About the role**

This role is specifically based in the North West corner of the Botanic Garden and contains the Hardy Palm collection, North American collection, Fragrant garden and gardens around the Children's Play Ground.

Your day-to-day work will be rewarding and varied. You'll be the go-to person who is a part of the wider Botanic Gardens Collections team, assisting to oversee the operation of the Botanic Gardens facility. You'll be responsible for collection record keeping using the plant database and keeping up to date with new varieties to trial and bring your vision of a modern garden to life.

The majority of your day is spent working autonomously so you'll take responsibility for your own time, although you'll also be responsible for mentoring and providing training and direction for trainees and volunteers. The wider team is a friendly and close-knit team that has a passion and dedication to ensuring the plants are grown and kept to a high standard. At certain times of the year, you'll work together to achieve these aims so you'll also be a team player ready and willing to assist.

**About you**

Being involved in all aspects of presentation, you'll have an eye for detail and excellent knowledge and understanding of collection development, plant health, and maintenance. You'll share your broad knowledge with other staff, the community, and interest groups. Your interpersonal skills will mean you are approachable and have a real passion for what you do. You'll be visually creative, demonstrate knowledge and a love of plants, plant collections, and people.

**Requirements of the role**
- Horticultural Qualification (minimum level 5)
- At least 5 years in a similar role
- Comprehensive plant taxonomy and or physiology knowledge and understanding of collection development and maintenance

Working for the Christchurch City Council allows you to contribute directly to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents and visitors. You will also benefit from:

- Access to training programmes, workshops, and development opportunities
- Flexible working arrangements - WFH, adjustable start and finish times, option to purchase extra leave.
- Collaboration - exposure to wider areas of the organisation
- Benefits - a variety of benefits for Council staff from health schemes to retail discounts.

Through collaboration, innovation, and a strong commitment to community, the council provides an environment where one's skills and passions can shine, making it an exceptional choice for those seeking purpose and impact in their career.

Feel like you don't meet every single requirement of the job description?

**Additional information**:

- Hours of work_ - Full time
- Location_ - This position is primarily based at The Botanic Gardens_
Salary - _The salary band for this position goes from $57,613 to $77,978 per annum_

**_ Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the close date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad before the advertised close date._