Glasshouse Supervisor - Jodrell Glasshouse

Jodrell Glass is a living collections and research glasshouse, with its plant collections playing a vital role in scientific research, ex situ conservation and supporting display horticulture across the wider Kew site.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in nursery horticulture and a sound understanding of controlled glasshouse environments. Knowledge of glasshouse pests and diseases, including effective control methods, is essential, alongside a genuine passion for plants and a commitment to maintaining the highest horticultural standards.

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Applicants should hold a horticultural qualification at NVQ Level 3 or above, or have equivalent practical horticultural experience.

To succeed in this role, you will be a proactive team player with excellent communication skills and the ability to foster positive team dynamics. You will also be confident working independently, using your initiative and managing responsibilities with a high degree of autonomy.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world's plants and fungi.

The salary for this position is £35,380 per annum [Band C]

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application through the online portal, by clicking "Apply for this job".

At Kew, our strength lies in the diversity of our people and the insights they bring. When you join us, you will find an organisation that values your perspective and lived experience. You will receive support to achieve your full potential and access opportunities to develop and progress. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is ongoing, shaped by the people who work here and the communities we serve. As a disability confident employer, we are breaking down barriers to be an inclusive workplace for everyone.

Whoever you are, and however you experience the world, there is a place for you to grow and belong at Kew.

No agencies please.

Job profile (attached PDF)

Job Profile
Section 1: Job Description
Job Title: Glasshouse Supervisor (Jodrell
Glasshouse Nursery)
Post No: 14680
Band: C Job family: Horticulture
Directorate: Gardens - Kew Section/Dept: Glasshouse Collections/Living
Collections
No. of Direct Reports: 1 No. of Indirect Reports: 1
Reports to (Position): Head of Glasshouse Collections
Job Purpose:
To del iver RBG Kew's mission to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people
and the future of all life on earth through the professional maintenance and development of our living
collections.
To supervise and lead a team to manage and develop our living collections, including growing, curating
collections, and achieving high nursery standards to support Kew's horticultural, conservation and
research functions.
Job Context:
This role leads the Jodrell Nursery Glasshouse team as part of the Glasshouse collections section. The
post-holder will be responsible for overseeing the management and curation of an area and its collections
by using horticultural knowledge, expertise, and techniques. The role supports RBG Kew's manifesto aims
and contributes to visitor engagement and education as well as supporting Kew Science by providing living
plant material for research and conservation programmes. The post holder may occasionally be required
to work in other teams, depending on the needs of the collections and organisational requirements.
Weekend duties will need to be undertaken occasionally.
Accountabilities :
1. Leading a team, planning the work programme to deliver the horticultural activities
necessary for the upkeep of the collections and plantings in the areas they manage.
Maintain and develop the living collections in line with the Living Collections Strategy to
enhance visitor experience and support scientific research in support of Kew's mission.
50%
2. Contribute to the planning and delivery of practical training in horticultural tasks for
colleagues and horticultural training staff, passing on professional knowledge and
experience and ensuring they have the skills required to carry out their work. Develop and
share best practice.
10%
3. Monitor and review performance of team members, Horticultural training staff, and
volunteers in support of building professional knowledge and skills. Identify and enable
relevant training for the team.
10%

Job Profile
4. Responsible for health and safety and safeguarding within their area and contribute to this
across the wider team. Lead by example to ensure relevant health and safety
assessments are followed and documentation is completed. Lead team briefings to
receive guidance and share feedback.
10%
5. Build effective relationships with other teams across RBG Kew, such as Estates and
Science to ensure good collaboration on areas such as glasshouse climate and
maintenance and scientific research in support of RBG Kew's manifesto. Liaise with
Science staff on setting up and costing projects; ensure project plants are grown in the
numbers required and to the standards agreed.
10%
6. Lead on the curation of the collections they manage and ensure that the team has the
skills and knowledge to use the Integrated Collections Management System, ensuring
plants are correctly labelled and data on individual accessions is recorded accurately and
is easily retrievable by other users.
10%
Management of Resources
Financial Responsibilities : All staff are responsible for management of their own time and resources.
.
1. Costing Science projects, and ensuring invoices are paid
2. Contribute to ordering materials and tools required by their area, ensuring value for money.
Management of People
1. Direct line management responsibilities for up to 2 members of staff/students
2. Input to Horticultural training staff performance management, monitoring performance and assisting
with assessments and associated documentation.
Position within the team.
Head of Glasshouse
Collections
Jodrell Glasshouse
Supervisor
Botanical Horticulturist Student

Job Profile
Section 2: Person Specification
Education and Experience
Essential
NVQ Level 3 or higher in Horticulture, or equivalent, such as RHS Diploma in Horticulture, level 3.
Demonstrable experience of managing a horticultural team, including volunteers, caring for (insert specific
requirements for area)
Significant experience of using horticultural skills and techniques to manage an area or collection.
Significant experience in the use of horticultural machinery, pest and disease management, irrigation and
nutrition and appropriate health and safety procedures
Desirable
Experience of coaching staff and demonstrating horticultural techniques
Previous experience of working in a botanic or public garden, caring for a living collection
Job Specific Competencies - skills and abilities specific to the job
Essential
Ability to use and train colleagues on a range of horticultural tools and machinery safely and effectively
Ability to lead the delivery of a full range of manual horticultural tasks in line with health and safety
requirements
Confident in identifying, analysing, and resolving horticultural problems
Excellent communication skills to lead and develop the team.
Competent in using a range of IT packages and plant record systems.
Good communication skills and ability to motivate a team of staff, students and volunteers
Desirable
FEPA PA1, PA6 or other spraying certification
Full driving licence
Experience line managing staff