Living Collections Support Officer

Department for Environment and Water
Job reference: 855382
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Short Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About the Role:

The Living Collections Support Officer contributes to the daily operation of the Botanic Gardens as a botanical collecting institution by delivering living collection curation and event support horticultural maintenance of curated living collections and associated landscapes. The role is an experienced specialist amenity botanic gardens officer and is required to work consistent with statutory responsibilities, corporate policies and botanic gardens industry standards. The role will support the daily delivery of best practice living collection revitalisation and maintenance, including associated landscape maintenance by:

• Applying best practice amenity botanic gardens horticulture.
• Supporting horticultural and collection curation management initiatives.
• Apply best practice WHS, record keeping and contractor management.
• Providing specialist support for event delivery, site activation and daily visitor support services.
• Provide daily site maintenance services as directed.

The role will participate in and provide contractor inductions and public presentations, using specialist horticultural and site knowledge to provide specialist living collection training, to audiences such as horticultural trainees, volunteers and the public. The role also supports the delivery of workplace health and safety practices and leads a small team with a positive attitude and resilience.

Role based at Adelaide Botanic Garden, but projects and influence across Adelaide, Mount Lofty, Wittunga Botanic Gardens and Botanic Park.

What can we offer you!

• Working in an organisation that is contributing to significant environmental outcomes in the great state of South Australia!
• Be part of a fun, collaborative and supportive team.
• Hybrid working model with flexible working options including work from home available to promote work life balance.
• Free entry into DEW managed Parks in South Australia.
• Salary Sacrifice Benefits.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Access to our Fitness Passport Program.
• Meaningful and rewarding career.

Contract: 
Contract for up to 12 months.

Essential Criteria (including qualifications):

• Certificate III in Horticulture (Trade Level Qualifications) is essential or equivalent industry training or experience.
• Completion and currency of operational licences, permits and certifications relevant to horticultural practices and safe work activities.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in establishing and maintaining a public garden such as a botanic garden or other relevant garden experience, including demonstrated knowledge of current horticultural practices, plant identification and curation.
• Demonstrated ability to optimise event delivery support, including map use, record keeping, inductions and site assessments.
• Extensive experience in the safe and effective operation of horticultural machinery and equipment and selection and use of personal protective equipment
• Demonstrated experience in the provision of high-quality customer service to visitors and other clients in a tourist and learning destination, including the ability to communicate regulations in a courteous and professional manner.
• Knowledge of software packages such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Timewise and Plant Records Databases i.e. BGBase.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a constructive, adaptable and resilient member of a team.
• Demonstrates a positive, adaptable and resilient demeanour and works well in a small team environment, taking on small team project supervisory responsibilities as directed.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate appropriate to various audiences and to clearly provide professional advice.
• Working knowledge of the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2012 and related policies and is able to apply this practically in the context of garden operations and daily work delivery requirements of the role.
• Shows an accurate understanding of and can apply the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium Act 1978, Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium Regulations 2021 and associated national requirements of botanic gardens horticulture.
• A current class “C” driver’s licence and willingness and ability to safely operate a 4wd is essential.

Special Conditions:

• Will be required to participate in responses to state emergencies or associated duties.
• You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or provide evidence that you hold a valid working visa that allows you to work in Australia without restrictions.
• The Department for Environment and Water is committed to providing a safe environment to all children and young people who access our services and visit our sites.  This role requires candidates to provide a valid Working with Children Check which must be renewed every five years before expiry. DEW will cover the cost of renewal.
• This role requires candidates to provide a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which must be renewed every three years before expiry. DEW will cover the cost of renewal.
• A current First Aid Certificate is essential.
• Wearing a company uniform during working hours and/or when representing the department is mandatory.
• May be required to work outside of normal working hours, including weekends and public holidays.
• The incumbent may be assigned to a position at another site to that advertised dependent on organisational and individual development requirements.
• A willingness and ability to safely operate machinery and issue expiations is essential.

A successful applicant who is not currently employed by the Department for Environment and Water will be required to have an original photo identification document sighted and provide a valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) issued within the last 12 months. This information must be supplied by all applicants who are shortlisted for interview.

Remuneration: 

GSE6 $1,373.56 min - $1,389.79 max per weeek. 

Enquiries to:

Leonie Scriven, Deputy Director Living Collections
**************@sa.gov.au
Mobile:0427 178 ***

Application Instructions:
Applications are to be submitted online through I WORK FOR SA.

Applicants are to submit a pre-employment declaration, current CV and letter of application (max. 3 pages) addressing the Essential and Desirable Criteria (including qualifications) as outlined in the Role Description.

The Department for Environment and Water is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds including all ages and gender identities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTIQA+.

Applications close: 06/09/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf
- Role Description - GSE6 Living Collections Support Officer P69659.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.