Horticulturist: Nursery Supervisor

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) requires the services of a self-motivated, innovative and results-driven individual who will manage, maintain, coordinate and supervise within the Millennium Collections Nursery and in all its operational functions while providing leadership and inspiration to meet SANBI’s mission to promote the sustainable use and conservation of the entire flora of South Africa.

With particular focus on the maintenance of the nursery and its structures, procurement-resource management and the general health of all the plants collections with integrated pest management strategies thereby ensuring all Kirstenbosch horticulturist have the facilities and materials necessary to grow, develop and maintain their collections in support of Kirstenbosch’s display, educational and conservation activities.

The successful candidate must be in possession of a National Diploma in Horticulture enhanced by at least 5 years’ wholesale/production nursery and greenhouse environment systems management, which also include a with minimum of one year integrated pest management experience and a minimum of 2 years’ supervisory experience. The incumbent must have experience in the supervision of staff and have good management, coordination and administrative skills.

The incumbent will have to perform weekend and public holiday duties when required. The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to maintain sound interpersonal relations/communications with both internal and external stakeholders and have an excellent spoken and written command of English. The candidate must be proficient in MS Office as well as have a valid Code B/C1 drivers’ license with at least (1) one years’ practical driving experience.

The responsibilities include:  

• Horticultural Nursery planning, development and maintenance: Manage and implement innovative strategies and systems to develop and maintain the Collections Nursery and monitor/coordinate all its operational functions while providing leadership and inspiration to meet SANBI’s mission to promote the sustainable use and conservation of South African flora;
• Curation of living collections: Identify, develop and document botanical collections of South African flora, with a focus on integrated pest management and growth media, taking a lead in promoting, targeting, conserving and interpreting, with the emphasis on horticultural suitability and threatened status while ensuring the Botanical integrity of species collections and utilizing these in promotional and educational opportunities;
• People management and Human Capital Development: Manage, coach, mentor and develop the general garden staff and international and South African horticultural students to increase knowledge, skills, competence and understanding of Botanical Gardens horticultural and conservation through clearly outlined job descriptions; OHASA compliance, disciplinary procedures, personal development, training programs and performance appraisals with strategic goals for performance and career progression.
• Horticultural research and development: Undertaking relevant scientific horticultural research and communicating the research results and outcomes, as well as writing popular articles published in various media (web based or hard copy) that communicate horticultural or conservation information. Play a leading role in promoting the sustainable horticultural utilization of South Africa’s flora.
• Horticultural projects, collaborations and plant conservation: Engaging in collaborative garden or conservation based projects with internal/external stakeholders to fulfill the mandate of the SANBI by harnessing unique expertise and capabilities for mutual benefit, while also establishing and strengthening cooperative linkages.
• Customer/Visitor Services and financial management: Co-ordinate, plan and oversee all internal and external nursery customers services and plant information requirements.  Anticipate and managing risk and taking pro-active steps to mitigate potential threats to staff and visitors.  Adherence to all SANBI code of conduct.  Resource management through monitoring, co-ordination and procurement as well as input into budget of the nursery.

Salary commensurate with a range of inputs and outputs in terms of the SANBI career ladder for horticulturists.

Please do not apply online for this position. Applications should be forwarded to: recruitmentct@sanbi.org.za.

Please request career ladder documents and portfolio of evidence template to complete your application.

Please note:  

1) Portfolio of evidence (Horticultural application form – obtained from our Offices) must be accompanied by a letter motivating why the applicant should be favorably considered for the position and confirming that the minimum qualifications are met (applicants lacking evidence of relevant qualifications will not be considered).  Portfolio of evidence template can be requested by recruitmentct@sanbi.org.za.

2) A skills test will be conducted as part of the selection process.

3) Applicants must also provide the full names, address and telephone number and if possible e-mail address of at least three referees.

4) Failure to submit the requested information and reference number will result in your application not being considered. 

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. SANBI reserves the right not to fill this position. All applications will be considered with the understanding that, in terms of the SANBI Employment Equity Plan, preference will currently be given to candidates from the designated groups. 

Contact Ms Glynnis Webb on (021) 799 8635/8800 or forward the completed application form, a letter and concise CV via e-mail to recruitmentct@sanbi.org.za or fax 0865899569.

Postal applications are to be addressed to:

Deputy Director: Human Resources,
South African National Biodiversity Institute,
Private Bag X7,
Claremont,
7735. 

Candidates are expected to be available for selection interviews on a date and time as determined by SANBI. If no response has been received within 30 days of the closing date, candidates may consider their applications unsuccessful.