Role: Horticultural Apprentice
Location: Auckland
- Three years fixed-term position
- Based at the Auckland Botanic Gardens
- Achieve level 3 and level 4 New Zealand Certificates in Horticultural Services (Amenity)
He angitūtanga: The opportunity
Do you want to work at one of New Zealand's award-winning and Qualmark accredited Botanic Gardens?
This is an amazing opportunity to gain paid hands-on experience at a world class botanic garden, where visitor experience and high horticultural standards of presentation are fundamental to the way we work. You will work and learn from our team of expert horticulturists learning the theory, science and practice of horticulture and gain recognised industry qualifications that will set you on your horticulture journey. At the end of the three years, you will be a qualified horticulturist with the foundation skills that will enable you to further your career in a multitude of directions.
He kōrero mōu: About you
Auckland Botanic Gardens reflects the principle aims of a botanic garden: conservation, education, research, recreation and wellbeing.
You will learn from and work alongside some of the best people within the public garden and horticulture industry in NZ. You will have an opportunity to work in a variety of areas within the Botanic Gardens, including the plant and amenity collections, nursery, botanic and conservation, assets, visitor experience and environmental education. Primarily though, you will assist the collection curators and gardeners in the cultivation and maintenance of the plant collections and amenity gardens; as well as supporting the team with their day-to-day operations.
Whilst gaining all that experience, you will be trained on the maintenance and operation of a variety of machinery and tools of the trade, first aid and complete a Growsafe certificate in the safe use and handling of agrichemicals. In your third year, you could have the opportunity to apply and take part in the 'Young Amenity Horticulturist of the Year' competition.
What a journey and what a way to start a new career!
To be successful in this position, you must have a passion for plants. Preferably you will have some basic horticultural knowledge and practical experience. You'll need a clean, full NZ driver's licence (manual driving skills are desirable). You must be physically active, be able to handle manually shifting often heavy loads and be willing to work outside in often trying weather conditions. Kaitiakitanga (stewardship), communication and collaboration will be important values to you, and you will have a self-motivated, can-do attitude.
Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer
If you're ready for a new challenge, a new career in horticulture, and can contribute to a great team environment - look no further. Auckland Botanic Gardens is home to over 10,000 plants from both here in New Zealand and around the world. It's a great place to work - where both people and their ideas are encouraged to grow.
This role is deemed safety sensitive and, in line with Auckland Council policy, you will be required to complete pre-employment drug & alcohol testing.
Auckland Council is committed to the protection and wellbeing of children. This role is classified as a Children's Worker role under the Vulnerable Children Act 2014. As such applicants will be required to undergo police vetting prior to commencing employment. Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory police check.
Applications close 25 January 2022
Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.