Curator - Cooktown Botanic Gardens
Job No:
PEAK367
Location:
Cooktown
Curator
- Are you a Deputy Curator or Collections Manager ready to ‘Step-Up’?
- Become the Curator of the Oldest Botanic Gardens in Queensland
- Up to $82K + Super + Relocation Assistance + Fortnightly RDO + 5 Weeks’ Leave
Cooktown Botanic Gardens
The Cooktown Botanic Gardens were established in 1878 making them one of Queensland's oldest regional botanic gardens and houses five major plant collections, including a collection of species traditionally used by the local Aboriginal people; a rare and threatened plant showcase and a collection of some of the species collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander in 1770.
Listed under the Queensland Heritage Register, the gardens also retain a number of elements of their late 19th century design, including garden terraces, dry-pitched granite rockpools, subsidiary covered stone-pitched drains, stone steps, wells, rock garden survivals, and diverse archaeological elements. Also featured amongst the collections is a palmetum, a rainforest garden, a water lily pond, and Nature’s Powerhouse Café that, with its fresh, simple menu and tropical, under-cover alfresco area, is without a doubt one, one of Cooktown’s best-kept dining secrets.
Cooktown Botanic Gardens house five major plant collections:
- species traditionally used by the local Aboriginal people
- species collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander in 1770
- specimens provided by the Queensland Acclimatisation Society and planted in the gardens in the 19th century
- species painted by local artist Vera Scarth-Johnson
- species of rare and threatened plants of the shire
The gardens also have:
- a palmetum, featuring tropical palms
- rainforest garden
- bush tucker garden
- heath garden
- water lily pond, rainforest garden, bush tucker garden and heath garden
About Council
Cook Shire is the largest shire in terms of land area in Queensland, covering over 100,000 square kilometres and occupying 80% of Cape York Peninsula. Cooktown is 331km from Cairns (approximately 4 hours by car on the inland road). It is a vibrant area, from the main township of Cooktown to smaller outlying communities rich in indigenous history, agriculture, tourism and arts. About half of the Shire's 4400-strong population live in Cooktown, on the banks of the Endeavour River. Cook Shire is enriched by the unique contributions of its smaller communities, with Lakeland, a national leader in agriculture and Laura which is world-famous for its rock art. More information on Cooktown and Cape York Peninsula can be found here.
Council has developed an organisational structure that maximises the effectiveness of service delivery to the community. The council comprises the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Leadership Team along with three departments:
- Organisational Business Services
- Community, Economy and Innovation
- Infrastructure Services
The Mayor, Chief Executive Officer, Directors form the Executive Leadership Team. The role of this team is to provide consultation on issues regarding the Council's strategic direction and long term planning.
As one of the largest employers in Cape York, Cook Shire Council supports this growing region and a diverse community of over 4,000 people. It was recently ranked in the top 10% of local governments across Australia so there couldn’t be a better time to come up and experience everything the region has to offer and work for a Council that is focused on continual improvement in everything it does for the community it serves.
Council are building a safe and inclusive culture where their people are empowered to deliver their best work. Embracing innovation and change, they continually strive to deliver a high-quality service across this vibrant, diverse, and iconic shire. They are passionate and energetic, working as one team to build a healthy, prosperous, and sustainable community. Coming off the back of their best tourist seasons - even COVID has not had the impact many other communities have experienced. Progress is important to them, and they make it a priority to invest in their people’s wellbeing, growth, and development.
For further information please access the Council website here
About the Position
Coordinating the operations of the Cooktown Botanic Gardens requires a qualified, experienced, passionate, and visionary Curator to undertake a holistic approach to the maintenance, plant health and further development of the Gardens outlined in the Cooktown Botanic Gardens and Gallop Botanic Reserve Masterplan 2018-2028. This position also encapsulates the management of the Gallop Botanic Reserve which includes walking tracks to Grassy Hill and local beaches and ongoing environmental weed control. These are exceptionally important amenity venues both locally and nationally and are a fundamental part of this Country’s cultural heritage.
Key objectives of the role include:
- To take a holistic approach to the maintenance and development of the Cooktown Botanic Gardens and Gallop Botanic Reserve including adjacent walking tracks and the Queens Park Oval.
- To lead staff (3) and the associated maintenance and development activities within the Cooktown Botanic Gardens and nursery.
- To maintain plant species database and interact with other botanic gardens and herbariums for the benefit of Cooktown Botanic Gardens.
- To provide accurate technical advice and support on horticulture and botanical matters to the Manager, Parks and Waste Operations, and other Council departments.
- Undertake special projects within the Parks and Gardens area, as directed by the Manager, Parks and Waste Operations.
Reporting to the Manager, Parks and Waste Operations and working closely with the outgoing Curator who retires this year, you will be able to make the role your own and have a rare opportunity to leverage off his work and knowledge of the gardens gained over the past 5 years.
Please click on the link for a full copy of the POSITION DESCRIPTION or download a CANDIDATE PACK which includes staff benefits and other information you may find useful.
About You
Tertiary qualified in Botany you will have already gained experience working in a collections-based garden together with experience assisting and/or designing and developing features for public gardens. You will be renowned for your knowledge of modern systems of plant classification and for your passion for tropical horticulture. The aforementioned criteria will be underpinned by a desire to lead a small team if you have not done so already and to manage and keep improving this unique Botanic Garden site.
Conversely, you may be currently working as a Curator and looking for a lifestyle change and the opportunity to live and work in this unique part of North Queensland.
Why this Role?
Reporting to the Manager Parks and Waste Operations, you will be able to make the role your own and actively continue the legacy of work done by Tony Roberts the retiring Curator.
This is a very exciting time to be part of Cook Shire Council. Recent federal funding of $1.98 million has enabled the delivery of project works and upgrades to the Cooktown Botanic Gardens precinct consistent with the Masterplan 2018-2028 which has created an even more extraordinary Botanic Gardens for the Cook Shire community and visitors alike.
If you have strong botanical and horticultural skills and are ready to ‘step up’ into a Curator Role – the incumbent will guide and mentor you across the other aspects of the position.
If we have piqued your interest and you would love to live and work in heartland of Tropical North Queensland – then call to discuss what could be a genuine, career enhancing opportunity.
Cook Shire is an equal opportunity employer and encourages a diverse workplace. Indigenous community members and women are strongly encouraged to apply, and all applications are assessed on merit.
How to Apply
Before you apply for this position, please read the position description carefully to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position. You will be required to answer a few questions that relate to the criteria on the online application below. Please note that you cannot submit your application without attaching your resume. A cover letter is not mandatory but may be added if so desired. When uploading your Resume or documents please ensure file names should only include 'A-z', '0-9', '.' and '-' characters.
PEAK Services is working in conjunction with Cook Shire Council exclusively on this position. We offer local government expertise across a wide range of professional fields, providing tailored solutions for councils and other similar organisations. We work with our clients to deliver meaningful outcomes in the recruitment and contracting services.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you have commenced your application you cannot save and continue at a later stage.
Applications will close at 10pm on Monday 7th June 2021
For a confidential conversation, please call Rona Horsfall at Peak Recruitment Services on 0438 943 854.