Position Details
Location: RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Salary: £23,810 per annum. The RHS ensure we pay all staff at or above the National Minimum Wage, which is reviewed annually by government
Reports to: The Garden Manager and Team Leaders
Start Date: September 2026. One year (fixed term)
Hours of work: Full time (37.5 hours a week on a rota). The working pattern is 5 days in 7 so your full-time hours will include some weekend working
About the Placement
Are you enthusiastic about horticulture? Have you already completed (or are studying for) a Level 2 horticultural theory qualification and have at least 3 months practical experience? Are you interested in specialising and completing a Level 3 Award to further your career?
Our Professional Work Placement programme is a one-year paid work experience placement for horticulturists who wish to specialise. Applicants should have already completed (or be studying for) a Level 2 Horticultural theory qualification or apprenticeship standard and have 3 months (minimum) practical experience in the industry at application.
The placement provides the opportunity to spend a full year immersed in a particular garden department, studying a specific group of plants, garden practice or style whilst completing a Level 3 Award.
Speciality focus
Productive Horticulture – growing a broad range of seasonal fruit and vegetables
Teams and Areas
Who will you be working with: Edibles and Nursery Team
Which areas of the garden will you be working in: Kitchen Garden and Nursery
The Kitchen Garden at RHS Harlow Carr has inspired visitors for many years and has been shortlisted for the best vegetable garden of the year. The Kitchen Garden’s organic flowing design sits at the heart of the site demonstrating to visitors all year-round fruit and vegetable growing which supplies our own Harrogate Arms café.
Throughout this placement you will work within the Edibles Team in the Kitchen Garden and Nursery to gain knowledge, skills and training in growing edible crops within the Kitchen Garden and in a work-based context to prepare you for professional life in horticulture.
As part of the team, you will learn about succession planning, sowing and planting while using a wide variety of growing techniques, along with maintenance tasks to produce commonly grown vegetables as well as more unusual varieties all year round. You will also gain glasshouse experience by helping to propagate plants for the kitchen garden. You will also gain a good understanding of plant health in accordance with ‘Plant Healthy’ certification.
About the RHS Level 3 Award
During the placement you will complete horticultural research culminating in a project write up and submission for the RHS Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation which will be funded by the RHS.
Candidates completing the Level 3 qualification will be allocated a Project Supervisor who will support you and advise on the project write up. In order to achieve the qualification you will be required to attend several online sessions (either live or recordings) over a period of 9 months, submit a project write up and complete a professional discussion.
Safeguarding and Inclusion
The RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Benefits of Working for the RHS
To work for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to join a thriving charity, whose mission is to be there for everyone on their lifelong adventure with gardening. Everything we do is built on the transformational power of gardening – and the benefits it brings to people, places and our planet.
And we couldn’t do this without our people. We’re proud of the knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas that each one of our team members brings. From working across our social media channels, to volunteering in the RHS Gardens, from serving customers in our garden centres to running national marketing campaigns, we believe that every member of the RHS team should have the opportunity to make a difference.
Our careers portal provides a comprehensive overview of what we offer, the teams that work at the RHS and our great benefits.
You can also learn about the range of careers in horticulture here, www.horticulture.org.uk or www.lantra.co.uk.
Further Information
To apply for any work-based training position with the RHS School of Horticulture you must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the placement, the RHS are unable to sponsor visa applications for these positions.
As part of the Professional Work Placement programme successful applicants will study for the new RHS Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation qualification. To be eligible applicants must not hold or be studying for a Level 3 Diploma (or equivalent) in Horticulture or above.
We may review applications as soon as we receive them so if you see a vacancy that you are interested in, please apply as soon as possible as the vacancy can be closed as soon as we received sufficient applications.
Applications close 2nd April
Interviews to be held 27th April - 15thMay
For further information, or if you require any additional support with making your application please contact schoolofhorticulture@rhs.org.uk including details of the position you are applying for.
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