Tree Nursery Project Officer

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.

People Engagement & Volunteer Support:

• 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