Horticulture Coordinator

Join Museums of History NSW as a Horticulture Coordinator (East or West) and lead the care and conservation of historic gardens across Sydney’s most iconic sites. Work with a skilled team to maintain beautiful landscapes, engage visitors, and preserve NSW’s botanical heritage for future generations. If you’re driven by creativity, leadership, and a love for the outdoors, seize this unique opportunity to make your mark and help NSW’s living history flourish. Apply now and grow with us What the opportunity is: Employment with Museums of History NSW. Horticultural Trades/Officer Level 8. Remuneration package includes salary ($89,070 - $92,701), employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading. Full‑time ongoing employment. The role will work across Sydney. What we do Museums of History NSW brings together a portfolio of iconic museums, rich collections and heritage sites, the nation’s oldest archive collection, vital record‑keeping services and expert staff. We bring history to life by sharing the stories of our places and collections. Through the State Archives Collection, we manage NSW’s official documentary heritage, supporting government transparency and the public’s right to access information. By preserving and making accessible our places, collections and archives, we create opportunities for people to explore the past and better understand their own place in the world. By supporting lifelong learning and inviting people to come together, we promote civic literacy, empathy, wellbeing and belonging. We believe that history belongs to everyone. This is the promise and the purpose of MHNSW. Museums of History NSW is a state cultural institution, established under the Museums of History NSW Act 2022. It is an agency of the NSW Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (DCITHS). What you’ll do with us: Conservation and maintenance of the gardens and grounds at the four MHNSW sites in the West or six MHNSW sites in the East and present these gardens and landscapes to the highest standards for the access, interpretation, enjoyment and education of visitors in accordance with the philosophies and corporate plan of Museums of History NSW. The four West sites are Rouse Hill Estate, Elizabeth Farm, Rose Seidler House and Meroogal. The Horticulture Officer – West is based at Rouse Hill Estate. The six East sites are Vaucluse House, The Mint, Elizabeth Bay House, Susannah Place, Hyde Park Barracks and Museum of Sydney. The Horticulture Officer – East is based at Vaucluse House. Both roles will be part of a team that rotates to maintain other sites, as required. For more information on the role, contact Susan Sedgwick, Director, Museum Operations & Visitor Services via 02 8239 2***. Click here for the role description for east or west including the capabilities required for this role. What you need to do to apply A one to two page cover letter outlining how your skills and experiences meet the essential requirements for this role. A current resume listing two referees. Responses to the two targeted questions (no more than 300 words per answer) submitted online during your application. Targeted questions How would you balance the conservation of historic gardens with the implementation of modern horticultural practices across multiple heritage sites, especially when facing challenges like adverse weather or limited resources? Describe your approach to leading a diverse horticulture team in delivering high standards of garden presentation, safety, and visitor engagement across several locations. How do you ensure effective collaboration and motivation within your team? Essential requirements of the role Appropriate trade qualifications and 2–3 years post‑qualification work experience in a public garden with high presentation and horticultural standards. TAFE qualifications in Horticulture and/or equivalent. Comprehensive knowledge and proven experience in pest and weed control, including safe use and application of hazardous chemicals. Demonstrated experience in a wide range of horticultural duties including arboriculture, soft and hard landscaping incorporating gardening practices, techniques and rationale, plant recognition, cultivation and propagation and turf culture. Demonstrated ability to safely use, maintain and make minor repairs to mechanical and other gardening equipment. Ability to operate a chainsaw in line with required guidelines. Possession of a valid NSW driver’s licence with the licence to operate manual vehicles. Possession of first aid certificate. Knowledge and implementation of Workplace Health and Safety and safe manual handling practices. Ability to manage lifting, carrying, standing, kneeling and moving around heritage sites, both internal and external environments; a genuine workplace requirement. Willingness to work across and ability to travel to multiple work locations. Additional information To be eligible for an ongoing role in the NSW Public Sector you must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident. For temporary and casual roles, you must hold a valid visa giving you permission to work in Australia as required by the role. All successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check with NSW Police. A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months. Submit your application before the closing date: Wednesday 3 December 2025. Diversity and Flexible Working We are expert keepers and tellers of history, and its many stories, peoples, and cultures. We want to create a team and workplace that reflects this diversity as well as the diversity in the communities we serve. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better, more inclusive results and connects our people to our communities, to our history, and to each other. Our vision is to support and empower First Nations people, communities and culture, and across the sites that we care for, we are committed to shifting perspectives, truth‑telling and delivering honest reflections on history. We understand that flexibility means different things to different people and are committed to offering flexible work arrangements where and when possible. For First Nations applicants who would like to have a yarn about the role, or require additional support, please contact Dennis Taylor, Manager First Nations Employment & Engagement, 02 8239 2*** or via  Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application. #J-18808-Ljbffr