Horticulturist
The Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co) is the State Government agency responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation and provides governance and an operational structure to one of Melbourne's most iconic cultural spaces: Fed Square.
MAP Co leads the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, Australia's largest ever cultural infrastructure project, delivering The Fox: NGV Contemporary and the major rejuvenation of Arts Centre Melbourne (ACM), joined together by 18,000sqm of green public space.
It also takes on the management and operations of Fed Square and is responsible for connecting a single continuous art, civic, and cultural precinct stretching from Fed Square through Southbank.
Once the transformation is complete, MAP Co will also manage and activate Laak Boorndap, the 18,000 urban garden that will connect the Melbourne Arts Precinct in a seamless and immersive cultural experience.
Fed Square is the gateway to the art precinct - and as Melbourne's public square it is the civic, cultural and community heart of the city. It home to four of Victoria's major cultural institutions: ACMI - Australia's Museum of Screen Culture, the Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT), Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS) and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia along with an array of restaurants and cafes. Located opposite the iconic Flinders St Station, it is Melbourne's premier meeting place, tourist destination and event venue for thousands of free events every year.
Our values
Our values are: First Nations First, Collaboration, Integrity, Community and Innovation
MAP Co values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, women, people of all ages, with disability and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.
About the Role
The Horticulturalist will contribute to the curation, development, management, care, and interpretation of gardens at Fed Square and Laak Boorndap. The role is situated in the Programming and Interpretation Team and combines gardening, programming, interpretation and management.
Laak Boorndap is an ambitious and groundbreaking project, unlike anything attempted on this scale or complexity before in Australia. The Horticulturalist will grow and learn alongside the project, embracing the unique challenges and opportunities it presents. The role is part of a collective journey of discovery, innovation, and shared learning as we strive to create a truly meaningful and sustainable landscape.
Federation Square features several indoor and outdoor garden beds, planter boxes, lawns and culturally significant trees. This role will support the delivery of a Greening Masterplan with a view to enhance Fed Square's greenspaces and improving biodiversity and shade with a focus on native and endemic species.
Responsibilities & Accountabilities
* Conduct general horticultural maintenance, including planting, pruning, mulching, weeding, hedging, mowing, soil amelioration and irrigation across MAP Co gardens.
* Create and follow a program for daily works
* Undertake tree maintenance
* Maintain and operate plant and other equipment in a clean, safe and effective working condition and carry out all works in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety regulations
* Facilitate a lead role in on-ground programming, monitoring, operating, and maintenance of the irrigation system as part of a broader team dedicated to best practice water management
* Fertilising and herbicide application
* Disease and pest identification and control utilising IPM principles
* Contribute to the curation and ongoing management of gardens at Federation Square and Laak Boorndap, ensuring high standards of horticulture, display and visitor experience.
* Work closely with internal teams to support the delivery of the Fed Square Greening masterplan and develop a garden care management plan for Fed Square
* Build and sustain relationships with key community and industry stakeholders.
* Contribute to the development and delivery of Gardening programs, interpretative materials and activities in collaboration with the Programming & Interpretation team that inspire and engage visitors, developing a sense of ownership across diverse communities, providing practical gardening advice and building an understanding of issues
* Utilise and co-ordinate consultants and contractors to support and deliver required gardening works.
Key Selection Criteria
* Demonstrated experience in horticulture and gardening, particularly in curating and managing public spaces.
* Experience working with a diverse range of plants, with a focus on high-value amenity horticulture.
* Demonstrated technical skills in operating, managing and troubleshooting a large-scale automated irrigation system.
* Experience in supervising contractors and consultants
* Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage respectfully with diverse stakeholders, including visitors, colleagues, and community members.
* Experience in delivering public education programs, workshops, or interpretive initiatives.
* Physical fitness and capacity to undertake manual tasks in an outdoor environment across all seasons.
* Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
Desired Experience/Qualifications:
* Experience working in collaboration with First Peoples communities and organisations.
* Formal qualifications in horticulture (Minimum Diploma of Horticulture), alternatively qualifications in environmental science, or a related discipline
Position Specific Requirements
* A current Working with Children Check or ability to obtain one (if required).
* Chemical Certificate or willingness to obtain
* Current Drivers Licence
Recruitment process
You can read more about our recruitment process at this link: https://artsprecinct.melbourne/careers/
Please let us know in your cover letter if you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process or the role. MAP Co is committed to ensuring that all applicants are afforded an equitable opportunity to be considered for our roles.
MAP co will undertake background checks on the successful candidate in line with requirements set by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC).
Applications
Kindly note that applications will be reviewed for short listing throughout the advertisement period, so we encourage applicants to apply without delay. Please provide a covering letter (maximum 1 page) and your resume (maximum 4 pages).
Applications close on 26 September 2025