Applications are invited for a Curator of Treborth Botanic Gardens, which is a permanent full-time post.
Job description can be found at https://jobs.bangor.ac.uk/details.php.en?id=QLYFK026203F3VBQB7V68LOTX&nPostingID=1983&nPostingTargetID=2174&mask=stdext&lg=UK Treborth Botanic Garden is owned by Bangor University. It is an 18ha site on the south shore of the Menai Strait, comprised of 15ha native woodland, 2ha of species-rich unimproved grassland and 1ha managed borders, plus a small arboretum. There are two ponds, a wildlife garden area, apple orchard and many mature trees and shrubs. Six glasshouses are maintained for different temperature-climatic conditions, including special collections of orchids, cacti, succulents and carnivorous plants. The site also includes an attractive, well-used Teaching Laboratory as well as the UK’s largest Rhizotron, a carbon-capture research laboratory. The Garden offers free-access to the public at all times and the glasshouses are open at selected times when staff or volunteers are present. The site has some Victorian features of historic interest. The Garden provides a site for education and inspiration in the natural environment for all age groups, as part of the University’s commitment to outreach, community engagement and social inclusion. Treborth Botanic Garden is fortunate in receiving strong support from a well-organised, charitable body “The Friends of Treborth Botanic Garden” and ‘’The Students for Treborth Action Group’’. Together these voluntary organisations provide thousands of man-hours of help annually undertaking a variety of fundraising activities and contributing to the maintenance and development of the external garden, woodland and glasshouses. The Garden requires a Curator to manage and develop the exterior gardens, woodland and glasshouses for use as a resource for promoting wider public education and community involvement, teaching and research at the University. The Curator will report to the Director of the Garden and will be responsible for managing the garden staff. The role of the Curator is to manage, maintain and develop Treborth Botanic Garden’s living collections, and this will involve occasional evening and weekend work. Applicants must have a first degree or equivalent in a relevant subject area; proven practical experience in managing gardens and caring for a varied, living collection of plants; a good working knowledge of British flora and the ecological principles underpinning its conservation management, and an understanding of relevant Health and Safety practices. A UK driving licence would be advantageous. The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this post. Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865. Please include with your application a full CV and a covering letter showing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. The successful candidate will be expected to commence on 1st August, 2015, or as soon as possible thereafter. Closing date for applications: 15th May. Interviews will be held in the week commencing 8th June. For informal enquiries contact: Dr Shaun Russell, Bangor University, Tel: 01248 382234, e-mail: [email protected] Committed To Equal Opportunities. Purpose of the Job The core role of the Curator is to manage, maintain and develop Treborth Botanic Garden’s living collections. The post will involve occasional evening and weekend work. Main Duties and Responsibilities 1. The Garden • Curate and develop the living collections at Treborth. • Prepare and execute a garden management plan and work programme; to include conservation management of semi-natural woodland, unimproved grassland and historic landscape features. • Manage Garden staff. • Working with others, e.g. University Security and the College Health and Safety Officer, to ensure the security and safety of the site, its staff and visitors. 2. Wider liaison and community engagement • Work closely with volunteer groups who support and use the Gardens. • Oversee community and outreach events and contribute to a programme of wider public engagement with the Garden. • Assist the Garden Director in developing and maintaining links with other botanical gardens in the UK and overseas. 3. Teaching & Research • Make the living collections available to support undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research. • Opportunities will arise for the Curator to offer guest lectures in his/her areas of expertise, to undergraduate and postgraduate students. • The Curator may be called upon to offer his/her botanical expertise on student field visits/excursions. • There is a collection of preserved plant specimens at Bangor University (the Herbarium). Depending on the skills-set of the appointee, the Curator may also have the opportunity to contribute to the development of the specimen collection in the University Herbarium. Person Specification Essential • A first degree or equivalent in a relevant subject area, e.g. Horticulture or Botany. • Proven practical experience in managing and caring for a varied, living collection of plants. • Good working knowledge of British flora and the ecological principles underpinning its conservation management. • Thorough working knowledge of modern curatorial standards, including collections management, maintenance of records, CITES compliance. • Ability to identify and address major plant diseases and insect pests. • Experience of managing gardens and garden staff. • Experience of working with and directing volunteer groups. • Excellent communication skills with the ability to inspire persons of all ages with an interest in nature, natural sciences and the environment. • Experience of Health & Safety practices affecting staff, volunteers, students and the public. Desirable • A postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject area. • Competence in landscape design. • Project management experience. • Experience in maintaining and enhancing features of ecological interest in an amenity garden setting. • Experience of an academic working environment. • Understanding of the principles and practice of Herbarium management. • Full UK driving licence. • Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh. General All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact. All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references All candidates must meet the requirements of UK ‘right to work’ requirements. If you require Home Office permission to work in the UK, or need to switch your visa status in order to take this job, please note that following the introduction by the Government of immigration limits on skilled workers we recommend you use the following link to information about the routes into employment and to check eligibility requirements: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/ Disclosure & Barring Service This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. As Bangor University meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions. DBS checks will be updated every 3 years.
