A botanic garden is a place where plants are grown, studies and exhibited. Most botanic gardens are owned and run by governments, though some are owned and run by private people or organisations (eg. Botanic gardens such as the one attached to Huntington Library in the USA are run by philanthropic organisations; some are run by National Trusts and others are commercial ventures established in part, if not fully, as a tourist attraction).
Botanic gardens can be large or small, and depending upon the size, they may employ one or many staff. Small gardens with few staff may offer opportunities to start on this career path, but opportunities for advancement will obviously be much better in a larger garden.
Typical Jobs
Routine garden maintenance jobs are usually the first priority, and most of the staff in a botanic garden tend to be involved in that work which can include weeding, feeding, watering, pest control, pruning, mowing and other such tasks.
Other staff may include:
- Interpretive Officers or Guides -who are involved in communicating with visitors, giving talks, labelling plants, mounting special displays etc.
- Propagators -Who propagate plants o maintain the collection.
- Marketing Staff -who promote the garden to the public, manage visitor admissions, operate retail centres (bookshop, restaurant, souvenir shop etc)
- Scientific Staff -who may conduct research, collect new specimens, maintain a herbaria (collection of pressed plant specimens), maintain a genetic seed bank, manage events, liaise with media, etc
Remuneration and Advancement Opportunities
Remuneration can be varied. Assistant gardeners may be low paid and involved in menial tasks such as sweeping paths, collecting rubbish and digging over garden beds. Tradesmen gardeners can earn more, and will generally have more interesting and responsible work tasks. Managers and scientists can earn very good professional wages; butin most situations, to reach these positions will require both experience and a solid academic qualification (eg. a degree or diploma -in larger gardens, more).
Risks and Stresses
Botanic gardens can generally offer a great deal of job satisfaction and opportunity to continue learning about horticulture throughout your career. You don't always find that in other gardening jobs. Often there is also a great deal of job security (because the community tends to give a priority to a botanic garden over other parks and gardens),
Some people find a lack of opportunity for increased income and rapid advancement can be frustrating; and that can lead to many lower ranked staff who love the job, nevertheless leaving it for something more lucrative.
Gardens are subject to the powers of nature, and when a botanic garden is damaged by storms or drought, all staff can feel stress, knowing that some lost plants are not as easily replaced as a common plant lost from another type of garden.
How to Distinguish Yourself from the Competition
Become a specialist. In a botanic garden, people with specialist knowledge are valued. Consider the following courses: http://www.thecareersguide.com/product_listings.aspx?catid=plant%20varieties
Insurance
Most gardens you work for will carry appropriate insurance; but be sure you verify that. Accidents do happen in the work place.
Consider Professional Indemnity Insurance if you are working as a consultant or setting up your own private garden (perhaps as a tourism venture). If working privately, also seriously consider Public Liability insurance; and discuss other possible needs with an insurance expert.
Recommended Courses
Start with a foundation -either a certificate or diploma (eg. http://www.thecareersguide.com/product.aspx?id=99 )
Move on to specialised studies and work hard at building your plant knowledge in particular.