Horticultural Engagement Officer

Job Title: Horticultural Engagement Officer (hybrid/flexible working)

Location: RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate, Yorkshire

Salary: £ 23,893

Hours: 28hrs per week (i.e. 0.75 FTE)

Contract: permanent

As part of an engagement team across the Royal Horticultural Society, the Horticultural Engagement Officer will implement the RHS’ careers promotion and diversity initiative New Shoots at and in the vicinity of RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Yorkshire. This consists of careers outreach activities as well as onsite engagement programmes, such as taster days, work experience, youth volunteering and horticultural skills development programmes.

The Horticultural Engagement Officer will need to be creative, personable, and happy to be part of a remotely managed team based at all five RHS gardens, and will enjoy working with people from the age of 14 from a varied range of backgrounds. The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, be able to problem solve, have experience of engaging with diverse audiences and of working across teams. As the delivery of horticultural training is an essential part of the role, a horticultural qualification equivalent to RHS Level 2, or similar experience, is essential.

Closing date for applications is January 22, 2025, and we are aiming for first round online interviews in the week beginning January 27, and in-person second round interviews the week beginning February 3, 2025.

Details of our great benefits can be found here.

Overview of the Role:

As Horticultural Engagement Officer you will be responsible for

• Delivering the RHS’ inclusivity and engagement programme New Shoots at and around RHS Harlow Carr, focussed on building representation in horticulture from previously underrepresented groups. This includes occasional weekend work and travel across the UK with overnight stays.

• Developing and maintaining the Practical Training Hub, a training garden for future horticulturists within the grounds of RHS Harlow Carr.

• Building and maintaining relationships with various teams within the RHS and with groups and organisations local and regional to RHS Harlow Carr.

To work for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to join a thriving charity, whose mission is to be there for everyone on their lifelong adventure with gardening. Everything we do is built on the transformational power of gardening – and the benefits it brings to people, places and our planet.

We couldn’t do this without our people. We’re proud of the knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas that each one of our team members brings. From working across our social media channels, to volunteering in the RHS Gardens, from serving customers in our garden centres to running national marketing campaigns, we believe that every member of the RHS team should have the opportunity to make a difference. Our careers portal here provides a comprehensive overview of what we offer, the teams that work at the RHS and our great benefits.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

The RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

If you require any additional support with making your application, please contact sharon Ellis and ensure to include the job title or job reference number REQ (found at the top of the advert) when emailing.