Assistant Director – Conservation Horticulture & Nursery Management

Who we are Australia’s natural and cultural heritage is unique. Our land and seascapes are distinctive, home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, and to some of the oldest living cultures on earth. These environments and cultures are an essential part of our national identity, and visitors travel from across the country and the world to experience them. The Director of National Parks (the Director) is responsible for six national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, 58 Australian Marine Parks and the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Parks Australia is the federal park agency that supports the Director, and they are a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department). We work to showcase these natural and cultural wonders to the world, demonstrating to all why these places are so special, and inspiring communities to become more invested in their care and future.

The Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch leads science and conservation planning and policy for Parks Australia, and conducts research in conservation and biodiversity management through a range of programs. We engage in and coordinate diverse research partnerships and ensure First Nations knowledge and innovative solutions are core to our work, enabling us to enhance engagement and embed science into decision-making at all levels. Our work includes: The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) is the nation's most diverse collection of Australian native plants. We directly contribute to safe-guarding Australia's plant species from extinctions and are responsible for leading, building and sharing knowledge of our Australian flora. The ANBG works closely with biodiversity science programs - the Australian Biological Resources Study, the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, the National Seed Bank, and Biodiversity Informatics - in partnerships for research, for management of physical and digital biological collections,



and for management of fundamental national biodiversity data and information accessed nationally and internationally. The ANBG works closely with other Commonwealth parks to support plant conservation initiatives. The ANBG is uniquely placed to provide holistic solutions for national plant conservation, with combined expertise in, and specialist science facilities for: botanical taxonomy, evolution and systematics, seed biology and horticulture. The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) in Canberra is a leading national institution for the conservation, study, and display of Australian native flora. For more information about us please visit our website.

The job

The Conservation Horticulture & Nursery team are dedicated horticulturalists working on the conservation of Australian native plants through determining propagation and growing requirements. The team grows plants for ex-situ conservation and showcasing in the ANBG as part of the world's most diverse collection of Australian flora, which includes tropical, temperate and sub-alpine species. We also have an increasing focus on collaborative conservation projects to recover threatened species in the wild. The Assistant Director leads the Conservation Horticulture and Nursery team, setting priorities in an operational environment, fostering a positive and high-performing team culture, and driving innovative approaches to conservation horticulture. The role is ideally suited to an experienced leader with a genuine passion for practical horticulture conservation. This is a busy role in a rewarding environment within a nationally significant institution that welcomes visitors seven days a week. We are seeking an energetic and supportive leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, can effectively balance priorities, inspire a high-performing team,



and champion innovative approaches to conservation horticulture. The successful candidate will also work collaboratively across the ANBG to deliver shared outcomes and advance the Gardens' mission.

In this role you will be responsible for:

What you'll gain from the experience

This is an incredible opportunity to lead a team of expert horticulturists in developing and maintaining the most diverse collection of Australian native plants, including many threatened species. The role is both meaningful and fulfilling, delivering tangible outcomes for plant conservation.

What we are looking for

We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:

Eligibility

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - this position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment

You may use AI tools to support your participation in this recruitment process, unless advised otherwise. If you use AI, you must ensure your use is transparent, authentic and truthful, and that all information reflects your own skills and experience.

The department may use AI in a limited, transparent and responsible way to support parts of this recruitment process. AI does not make decisions - all assessments and selection outcomes are made by people.

For more information, see:

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📌 Assistant Director – Conservation Horticulture & Nursery Management (Canberra)
🏢 Department Of Education And Training Of Australia
📍 Canberra