Curator of horticulture

Description

Curators of horticulture develop and maintain the botanical collections, exhibits and landscapes of a botanical garden.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to curator of horticulture:

curator of botany
conservation horticulturist
garden curator
curator & horticulturist
curator and horticulturist
horticulture curator

Minimum qualifications

Master’s degree is generally required to work as curator of horticulture. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Curator of horticulture is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Curator of horticulture career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to curator of horticulture.

conservation scientist
botanist
nature conservation officer
landscape designer
natural resources consultant

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of curator of horticulture. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of curator of horticulture with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of curator of horticulture.

Botany: The taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.
Collection management software: Be familiar with specialised collection management software used to document and keep record of the museum collection.
Collection management: The process of resource evaluation, selection and life-cycle planning to create and promote a coherent collection in line with the developing needs of the users or customers. Understanding legal deposit for long-term access to publications.
Biology: Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
Ecology: The study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.
Advertising techniques: The communication strategies intended to persuade or encourage an audience, and the different media which are used to achieve this goal.
Horticultural design: Design of horticultural areas taking into account factors, such as climate and microclimates, topography and orientation, site drainage and groundwater recharge, municipal and resource building codes, soils and irrigation, human and vehicular access and circulation, etc.

 
Horticulture principles: The standard horticultural practices, including but not limited to planting, pruning, corrective pruning, and fertilisation.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of curator of horticulture.

Advise on acquisitions: Investigate acquisition options, compare them and give advice.
Manage database: Apply database design schemes and models, define data dependencies, use query languages and database management systems (DBMS) to develop and manage databases.
Keep task records: Organise and classify records of prepared reports and correspondence related to the performed work and progress records of tasks.
Manage operational budgets: Prepare, monitor and adjust operational budgets together with the economical/administrative manager/professionals in the arts institute/unit/project.
Identify plants characteristics: Identify and classify crop characteristics. Be able to recognise different types of bulbs by name, graded sizes, field markings and stock markings.
Conduct workplace audits: Conduct work site audits and inspections in order to ensure compliance with rules and regulations.
Manage contracts: Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.
Manage ground maintenance: Plan and direct the work of ground maintenance workers and units and maintain all natural areas.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of curator of horticulture. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Forest conservation: Understand forest conservation: the practice of planting and maintaining forested areas.
Forest ecology: The ecosystems existing in a forest, starting from bacteria to trees and soil types.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of curator of horticulture. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Advise on tree issues: Provide advice to organisations and private persons on planting trees and tree safety. Investigate current conservation and tree management projects.
Educate people about nature: Speak to a variety of audiences about e.g. information, concepts, theories and/or activities related to nature and its conservation. Produce written information. This information may be presented in a range of formats e.g. display signs, information sheets, posters, website text etc.
Respond to enquiries: Respond to enquiries and requests for information from other organisations and members of the public.
Educate the public about wildlife: Speak with groups of adults and children to teach them how to enjoy the forest without harming it or themselves. Speak in schools or with specific youth groups if called upon. Develop and teach programs related to nature conservation.
Educate public on fire safety: Develop and execute educational and promotional plans to educate the public on fire prevention knowledge and methods, fire safety such as the ability to identify hazards and the use of fire safety equipment, and to raise awareness on fire prevention issues.
Support volunteers: Follow up volunteer activity.

ISCO group and title

2131 – Biologists, botanists, zoologists and related professionals

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Curator of horticulture – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022