Conifer Safe Sites Manager

RBGE is a world leading botanical institute and international visitor attraction taking
positive action for plants and people; from local communities across Scotland, to more than 40
countries around the world. Our priority is to tackle the biodiversity crisis and the climate
emergency, and to support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Our work builds
on our 353 year history as a scientific botanic garden and centre of education with
internationally important botanical collections, and extensive international partnerships. Our
four Scottish gardens – Benmore, Dawyck, Logan and ‘The Botanics’ in Edinburgh – comprise one
of the richest plant collections on earth.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Science division as Conifer Safe Site Manager. This
new post will care for the 280 Safe Sites for conifers, a critical conservation resource that
forms the basis of the success of the International Conifer Conservation Programme (ICCP).

Conifers are of significant economic importance, and yet they are one of the world’s most
threatened groups of plants – with over one third of species threatened with extinction. RBGE
is widely recognised for its global leadership in conifer conservation – not least because our
Safe Sites harbour more than half of the world’s threatened conifer species.

You will join a small, committed and motivated team that will help ensure that RBGE can fully
harness the potential of the ICCP to generate impact, profile and income.

The purpose of this role is to continue to improve operations and sustainability of one of our
flagship conservation programmes, maintain RBGE’s global leadership in conifer conservation,
and ensure that the Safe Sites are utilised to maximum impact – for safeguarding threatened
conifers, furthering horticultural knowledge, and for conservation and climate change research.

We are looking for someone with horticultural skills and a vision for the integration of
science and horticulture in conservation projects. You will ideally have experience of managing
tree collections and maintaining plant records and be comfortable engaging with a wide range of
stakeholders. This role will require frequent travel throughout the British Isles and overseas
as well as to our Edinburgh and regional gardens.

With a passion for sharing your knowledge and skills and building capacity, this is an exciting
opportunity where you’ll use your communication skills to liaise with ICCP safe site managers
and owners, support RBGE students with their fieldwork, and deliver training and workshops to
diverse audiences.

Further information about the International Conifer Conservation Programme can be found

here.

Although we see this as a full-time role, applications will also be considered from exceptional
candidates looking to work on a part-time basis.

Closing date: Midday BST Friday 5 July2024
Interview date: Week commencing 15 July 2024
Recruitment information: A full Job description and Person Specification is available on the RBGE website

If you haven’t heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume your application
hasn’t been successful on this occasion.

No recruitment agencies please.