Horticulture Technician - Biomes

Job Title

Horticulturist - enclosed biomes and displays

Employment Type

Full time, permanent position

Salary

£27,617.85 per annum

Mission

Our mission is to demonstrate and inspire positive action for the planet.

About the Site

Eden Project Cornwall is our original and flagship site, and one of the most popular attractions in the southwest of the country, attracting over 700,000 visitors each year. Over the last 25 years we have developed and created a garden of global importance and interest. This garden is home to a vast collection of incredible plants and growing environments, ranging from wild and natural landscapes, verdant rainforests, Mediterranean hillsides, North American prairies, Wild Chilean woodlands, as well as demonstrations of food production and crops from around the world. We use our horticulture to tell stories of how people and plants are intertwined, as well as being a source of inspiration to encourage positive action for our planet.

Role Overview

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and passionate horticulturist to join our 45 strong team, to work within the enormous hot, humid Rainforest biome and the warm Mediterranean biome, as well as to look after potted plant displays around the Eden site, creating an inspiring treasure trove of exotic plant exhibits.

Our horticulturists deliver all practical aspects of plant care, cultivation and maintenance to a high standard - including watering, planting, pruning, training, mulching and spraying; of crop exhibits and wild geographical ecological collections. In the Rainforest, crops include cocoa, rubber, spice crops and ecological collections from South East Asia and the Amazon. In the Mediterranean Biome crops include Aubergines, Citrus, Vines and Apricots, and collections from Western Australia and California. In addition, horticulturists will research, plan and organise the delivery of displays, write signage and interact with visitors.

We are looking for an outward going individual who possesses a good knowledge of exotic plants, has good general horticultural practice and the ability to work effectively as part of a team. But most importantly an individual with a love of horticulture and plants.

Rain Forest Biome

Rain Forest Biome: You will be mainly working in a supportive role as part of a small team in a tropical setting with tropical plants, trees and crops. A basic knowledge and interest of the tropical world is required, and previous tropical experience would be advantageous. The working environment is harsh (hot and humid) and operations may include use of specialist equipment (such as working at height with training).

Mediterranean Biome

Mediterranean Biome: You will be working in a supportive role as part of a small team in a Mediterranean setting with plants from such regions. A basic knowledge of Mediterranean climate plants is required and previous experience would be advantageous. The working environment can be hot and dry.

Display Technician

Display Technician: You will be responsible for the planning, logistical organising and curation of potted plant displays across non gardened areas (such as restaurants, offices and exterior paved areas). You may often be working alone and will need to drive.

Key Accountabilities

• Maintains the living landscape exhibits and living landscapes. Securing Eden's long and short term horticultural and landscape planning to be implemented in time and with quality expected considering the environmental strategy, ethical values and educational aspirations of Eden.
• Implements renewal and maintenance programmes, ensuring appropriate soil preparation, cultivation, propagation, irrigation, amelioration and pest control activities to the required standards in terms of timescales, quality and budget.
• Monitors, evaluates and gives feedback to the management for improvement of quality, efficiency and experience. Ensuring all activities are carried out with adequate training and instruction in compliance with company policy and Health & Safety regulations.
• Determines and organises the requirements for supplies and equipment.
• Actively engages and interacts with external professionals, visitors and colleagues, providing practical guidance and imparting field knowledge to promote and enhance Eden's reputation as a leading attraction in the area of agronomy, landscape design, green tourism and ethnobotany.
• Actively promotes the work of horticulture within other areas of the organisation, thereby developing and maintaining the culture of collaboration and co operation across all departments and functions. Imparts specialist knowledge and skills to ensure the successful delivery of Eden's programmes.

Demands of the Role

Preferred level of education: RHS Level 3 with some special area of interest.

Minimum of 3 years' experience within the field of horticulture and/or landscape. Preferably with experience of indoor horticulture. An accomplished and knowledgeable practitioner within the subject field with practical and professional expertise developed within horticulture and landscape preferably with an identified specialised skill. The job holder must possess a valid driving licence for the UK, a willingness to excel and eagerness to learn and develop within the field. Certification in PA1 and PA6 is desirable.

Decision Making

Ability to work alone as well in small teams and make balanced practical decisions on plans and priorities.

Collaborates with colleagues and other staff to devise innovative and practical ways to improve planting schemes, habitats, landscaping and foremost knowledge transfer. The job holder will be required to be flexible and use creative thinking to resolve unusual practical challenges or situations.

People & Asset Management

Implements projects by example within a small dedicated and knowledgeable horticultural/landscaping team, students and designated volunteers and providing on the job training to students as required. A shared responsibility for the health, integrity, maintenance and presentation of Eden's living collection; identify procurement requirements as well as sourcing and ordering for approval by budget holders.

Communication & Visitor Experience

Effective oral and written communication skills are important for this role which requires the job holder to engage and interact with a variety of visitors, colleagues and students in various situations requiring the use of a range of techniques and approaches. Visitor engagement includes some media writing, public walk/talks, and alike.

Operational Environment

The role regularly requires physical effort and prolonged working on slopes within a variety of demanding and at times harsh climatic environments.

Character

The job requires a decisive, practical orientated, flexible, communicative person with a social creative personality who cares about the world we live in and understand and agrees to the Eden mission. Someone with a positive responsible outlook wishing to make a difference in this world.

Additional Features

The job holder is required to continuously develop their technical expertise and skills while keeping abreast of current Health & Safety regulations. The job holder may be required to travel nationally and internationally to work on specific assignments or projects.

Closing Date

The closing date for this position is midnight on Sunday 9th August 2026.

Interview Schedule

Interviews will be scheduled on the week commencing 17th August 2026.