Royal Horticultural Society
Herbarium Curator (Engagement)
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Herbarium Curator (Engagement)
Herbarium Curator (Engagement) – Royal Horticultural Society
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Herbarium Curator (Engagement) to join the supportive and friendly team of the RHS’s 1851 Royal Commission Herbarium at RHS Garden Rosemoor. This is the UK’s largest herbarium dedicated to cultivated plants.
About the Herbarium
The herbarium specialises in dried cultivated plant specimens, documented on a comprehensive database. At present, the collection includes approximately:
- 101,000 herbarium plant specimens
- 45,000 photographic slides, prints and paintings
- An annual increase of around 1,000 new items.
The “From Roots to Records” Project
This two-year initiative, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, aims to:
- Capture, preserve, and document c. 1,000 priority cultivated plants predominantly found in the South-West England region.
- Ensure these specimens represent UK garden plant diversity, focussing on:
- Plants at risk from climate change or demonstrating climate resilience,
- Plants of cultural significance.
- Preserve them in RHS Garden Wisley’s nationally significant herbarium (dating back to 1731, featuring specimens collected by Charles Darwin on The Beagle).
Role Overview
The Herbarium Curator (Engagement) will:
- Lead and deliver the RHS’s inclusivity and engagement programme, expanding representation in horticulture from previously underrepresented groups.
- Promote horticultural careers with a herbarium focus, offering work experience and engagement activities.
- Provide learner support in collaboration with Science & Collections, Curatorial, and School of Horticulture teams.
- Facilitate community engagement with RHS Garden Rosemoor and partners to deepen public access to horticulture.
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Key Responsibilities
- Engagement Delivery
- Coordinate horticultural promotion, training programmes, and outreach initiatives in RHS Garden Rosemoor and externally.
- Support schools, adult learners, and community groups in acquiring horticultural skills.
- Partnerships & Training
- Work closely with Plant Collector (From Roots to Records project), Curatorial, Education, and Community teams.
- Project Execution
- Oversee plant collecting, pressing, and documentation for the Herbarium renewal project.
- Public and Professional Outreach
- Contribute to digitised collections to increase global access.
- Deliver workshops, talks, and public events at RHS Rosemoor.
- Maximise creative participatory approaches to entice new audiences into horticulture.
Attributes & Qualities
- Experience in community engagement, training, and outreach, particularly with underrepresented groups.
- Integral knowledge of plant collecting techniques and scientific plant nomenclature.
- Distinctive ability to inspire confidence and skill development in participants.
- Full driving licence (chem deploys off-site activities).
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Full Time Equivalent: 2 days per week (for two years). Funded by: National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Requirements
- Demonstrated experience of working in educational or volunteer engagement roles.
- Enthusiasm for promoting horticultural diversity, heritage awareness, and inclusive job opportunities.
- Technical knowledge of the herbarium-collection process.
- Commitment to safeguarding and implementation of inclusive practices.
- Availability to work 3-4 weekends per year.
Benefits
- Join a vibrant charity known for driving transformational impact in horticulture.
- Contribute to projects that impact not-only local horticulture communities but national biodiversity efforts.
- Engage in a unique blend of conservation, education, and community development.
- Embrace dynamic, team-worked, and driving environments—where every role pivotal part of the RHS global mission.
Apply via [RHS Job Portal](link to site assumed) by Thursday, 23rd July 2026.
Interviews online (via Microsoft Teams).
- Dates: 7th & 10th August 2026 (please indicate availability in your application).
Anticated role start: Early September 2026.
Safeguarding and Inclusion
The RHS prioritises child/young person safety, welcomes applications from all backgrounds, and adheres to inclusive employment policies.
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