Tree Nursery Project Officer 30,966 pa

Fixed Term f/t (37.5 hrs pw to 03/09/28)

Newtownards - 258.4 mi from Bath, UK

Ends: Mar 29th

Ref: IRC173189

Tree Nursery Project Officer 30,966 pa

Summary

We're looking for a highly motivated Tree Nursery Project Officer to help deliver one of the National Trust's most ambitious nature recovery commitments: producing high quality, provenance known native trees for the Northern Ireland landscape. As a key member of our Roots to Recovery Project, you'll play a central role in driving forward this work and supporting wider nature recovery across the region.

Working at the historic Mount Stewart estate, you'll lead the development and daily operation of our expanding tree nursery-supporting our target of propagating 400,000 native trees within the first three years. You'll collaborate with the Trees & Woodland Adviser for NI, countryside teams, education teams, volunteers, and partner organisations to grow trees that directly contribute to the National Trust's 20 Million Trees strategy and wider nature recovery goals.

You will also line manage the Tree Nursery Community, Participation & Volunteering Coordinator, ensuring strong alignment between nursery operations, volunteer engagement, and community participation.

Funded by the DAERA Nature Recovery Challenge Fund, the role contributes to key themes of Nature Recovery-including Nature Recovery Networks, Species Recovery Networks, and 30x30 Projects-and supports the National Trust's strategic goals of People & Nature Thriving and Restore Nature, as well as the 20 Million Trees strategy.

This role blends practical horticulture, project coordination, partnership working, and volunteer support. It's perfect for someone who wants to help shape a major conservation initiative and leave a lasting legacy for nature in Northern Ireland.

What it's like to work here

You'll join a passionate and supportive Nature & Urban team, supported by the Trees & Woodland Adviser and working closely with Countryside Managers, Area Rangers, and volunteers across Northern Ireland. The nursery is based in the beautiful walled garden at Mount Stewart, where innovative propagation, seed sourcing, and plant health management play a central role in our conservation ambitions.

Your base will be Mount Stewart, with flexibility to work from home when appropriate. Occasional travel to other Trust sites will be required to support seed collection, meetings, and project delivery.

The team culture is inclusive, values driven, and strongly connected to our purpose: caring for nature, beauty and history for everyone, forever.

What you'll be doing

Tree Nursery Development & Operations

• Lead the development and day to day running of the Mount Stewart tree nursery.
• Oversee propagation and cultivation of native trees, ensuring high levels of plant health and biosecurity.
• Coordinate seed collection from notable and priority trees across NI.
• Maintain accurate plant records using databases and GIS systems to track provenance and productivity.

Project Coordination

• Plan, coordinate, and deliver project objectives throughout the project life cycle.
• Manage small project budgets (under £25k) and ensure resources are used efficiently.
• Identify and manage risks, ensuring safe working practices.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, contractors, volunteers, and external stakeholders.
• Produce reports, maintain documentation, and ensure alignment with conservation purpose.
• Provide line management for the Tree Nursery Community, Participation & Volunteering Coordinator, supporting their development and ensuring effective delivery of volunteering and engagement activities.
• Work closely with volunteers, providing supervision, training, and support to help them thrive.
• Work in partnership with the Tree Nursery Community, Participation & Volunteering Coordinator to deliver inclusive volunteering opportunities and community engagement programmes.
• Build partnerships with schools, youth groups, and community organisations.
• Deliver occasional outreach and interpretation activities to share the nursery's story.

Who we're looking for

• Trained as a professional gardener or horticulturalist with a good level of practical experience, including plant production and cultivation.
• Experience of record keeping, including knowledge of plant passports and Forestry Reproductive Material.
• Experience of working with volunteers and managing a team of volunteers.
• Ability to deliver through teams including volunteers, external contractors and colleagues outside your team.
• Excellent project management and IT/Database skills.
• Can work safely, with risk assessments and compliance with safety procedures.
• Ability to travel within Northern Ireland to properties which are in remote locations.

The package

The National Trust has the motto 'For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

National Trust place

Mount Stewart, Portaferry Road, Newtownards, BT22 2AD

Documents

• Project Officer - Grade 7 - Reset.pdf
• TNPO-Job Advert-Final.docx
• -Role_Profile_Context_Tree_Nursery_PO-v2.pdf
• Roots_to_Recovery_Summary.docx

Requirements

Compliance. Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 29 March 2026

Interview Date: 16 April 2026

Important notice

In line with our redeployment policy, we'll prioritise applications from National Trust employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.

If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on or email us at

If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on or email us at and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.