Overview

We are recruiting a Plant Conservation Officer to join our small team at Loseley Park near Guildford. This role is responsible for developing and promoting cultivated plant conservation through the National Plant Collections and Plant Guardians. With a network of volunteer Collection Coordinators you will facilitate, encourage and support the creation of new collections and stewardship of existing ones.

This role is to develop and promote cultivated plant conservation through the National Plant Collections, Plant Guardians (single rare or unusual plants held by members). Working as one of two plant conservation officers as part of a small conservation team within the national office of Plant
Heritage, and with a network of volunteer collection coordinators, you will facilitate, encourage and support creation of new collections and stewardship of existing ones.
KEY RESULT AREAS:
Living Collections:
• Working with the volunteer Collections Coordinator network, contribute to the National Plant
Collection scheme’s efficient and effective operation including appropriate monitoring of plant
lists, visits to verify plants and providing end to end support for the process of applying for a
National Collection
• Working with member Plant Guardians, manage efficient processing of Plant Guardian registrations
encouraging uptake and ensuring accurate recording of this dispersed collection
• Liaise with the National and local Plant Exchange coordinator(s) to ensure wide participation and
engagement
• Provide efficient documentation, including maintaining electronic and paper-based records, of the
application process, accurate maintenance of the Collections database reporting and monitoring,
and processing of annual reports from Collection Holders
• Contribute to active recruitment of new National Collections through the Collections Coordinators
and otherwise.
• Participate in National Collection accreditation meetings of the Plant Conservation Committee and
documenting decisions and seeing implementation of them through to completion
• Effectively manage withdrawals of Collections from the scheme to ensure rare/endangered plants
are saved.
• Support production of the annual Directory of Collections
National Collection Holders and Coordinators:
• Provide advice, information and support to Collection Holders
• Ensure good curation standards of plant records and effective monitoring of plant lists
• Mentor and help educate NCHs, Co-ordinators and other volunteers, participating in training as
required
• Act as a back up to the volunteer coordinator network to ensure appropriate support for Collection
Holders is in place
Communication
• Attend and contribute to meetings of the Plant Conservation Panel, advisory to the Board
• As a member of the conservation team, participate in policy development
• As a member of the conservation team, answer horticultural queries on behalf of Plant Heritage
• Working with comms colleagues contribute to the design and development of the Plant Heritage
website in relation to Collections and Plant Guardians
• As a member of the conservation team, provide proofing and advice to team from a taxonomic and
horticultural perspective of the Directory of Collections and other written content
• Attend and support team meetings sharing knowledge and building consensus
• Work with partners and other organisations.
• Give talks and presentations to outside bodies as required.
• Promote the cause of Plant Heritage through appropriate use of Social Media in conjunction with
the Communications Officer