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Amenity horticulturists are responsible for designing, creating and managing a variety of leisure, recreational and garden areas such as woodlands, country parks, historic gardens, cemeteries and botanic/public gardens.

Amenity horticulturists can find themselves doing anything from clipping lawns to managing forests. The typical responsibilities of the job include:

• designing garden plans/planting layouts

• advising about tree planting schemes

• undertaking environmental assessments

• planning restoration projects (visiting sites, researching plans etc)

• overseeing horticultural cultivation, maintenance and weed/pest/disease control programmes

• ensuring compliance with organic cultivation requirements

• analysing horticultural yields

• organising horticultural trials

• maintaining financial and administrative records

• developing, advertising and marketing services

• liaising/communicating with colleagues, local officials, the public, professional groups etc

• writing technical publications

• advisory leaflets and reports

• organizing or giving presentations and attending conferences

• undertaking research

• negotiating contracts with buyers and suppliers

• writing and modifying business plans

• supervising staff

Qualifications and training required

The majority of entrants into the profession hold a horticultural qualification. Degrees or HNDs in horticulture, agriculture, soil/earth sciences, environmental science or crop/plant science are beneficial. A relevant postgraduate qualification isn't essential but it may be helpful for some opportunities.

Key skills for amenity horticulturists

• Initiative

• Commercial awareness

• Problem solving

• Communication

• Practical cultivation skills

• An aptitude for working with flora and fauna

All candidates must be physically fit and capable of working well under the pressure of meeting tight deadlines. A full driving licence is also a common requirement.

Typical employers of amenity horticulturists

• Local authorities

• National Park rangers

• Highways Agency

• National Trust

• English Heritage

• Historic Scotland

• Botanic gardens