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• Permanent opportunity with opportunities to grow your career within a team of proactive and professional Arborist, horticulturalist and greenkeepers
• Full-time hours (38 hours per week)
• Based at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $83,832 to $92,701 + super

This is a rare opportunity to work in a place where your skills protect living history—not just maintain workloads.


The role
If you’re an arborist with a genuine passion for trees—particularly the curation of arboretums and the management of living collections—this is a rare opportunity.

As a Senior Arborist with the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, you will be responsible for the care and long-term stewardship of some of the most significant, historic and diverse native tree collections in Australia. This role goes well beyond routine urban tree work or private removals; it is about preserving living collections, managing rare and threatened species, and protecting heritage trees that will define the landscape for generations to come.

You’ll lead a small team, plan and deliver arboriculture programs, carry out tree health and risk assessments, and provide expert advice on everything from development impacts to long‑term conservation. This is a hands‑on role: you’ll climb, inspect, prune, and problem‑solve, working closely with horticulturists, apprentices and conservation specialists to keep our landscapes safe, healthy and thriving. Every day feels different because every tree here matters.


For more information, read the full Role Description: Senior Horticulturist Arboriculture


What you will bring to the role

• Strong experience in climbing, rigging and safely operating specialist arborist equipment
• Solid skills in tree risk assessment (QTRA, TRAQ or similar)
• Confidence supervising teams, planning work programs and mentoring early‑career arborists
• Great communication skills and the ability to work well with horticulture staff, contractors and apprentices
• Comfortable using tree databases and GIS systems for records, mapping and reporting
• A passion for conservation and the chance to work with unique trees you won’t find in a standard commercial arborist job

What is an essential requirement:

• Diploma in Arboriculture AQF5 or equivalent with experience in a wide range of tree maintenance and services, including pest and disease control, weed management, plant nutrition and irrigation control and in the maintenance and use of all associated plant and equipment.
• Level II Chainsaw Operation/ Fell Trees Manually (Intermediate)
• Current qualification in Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) and/or ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ or equivalent)
• Current NSW Driver licence and ability to drive manual vehicles
• Able and willing to undertake fieldwork for extended periods of time and able to lift and carry a minimum 15 kilos.

About us
Botanic Gardens of Sydney, under the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, is Australia’s oldest scientific institution and a custodian of over $1.2 billion in cultural, heritage, and botanical collections. As the premier botanical research institute, we encompass world-leading botanic gardens and Sydney’s leading outdoor live entertainment precinct. We engage international, national, and regional visitors, making us a leading entity in the NSW tourism sector. 


Join us
If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close Monday 23^rd March 2026.

Should you require further information about the role please contact David Khoury on david.khoury@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au or 0458 183 423.

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Please note that to be eligible to apply for this position, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment.

We encourage and support applications from people with disabilities. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via talent.acquisition@dpie.nsw.gov.au or (02) 63637676​ - HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.