Overview

Our diverse International portfolio has led us to seek a horticulturalist/ecologist to support our landscape team in the development of robust and environmental design solutions. The candidate should have an excellent horticultural knowledge in a wide geographic/biome areas with an understanding of plants and planting communities and their ecological performance.

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Foster + Partners are an international design practice driven by the pursuit of quality in all areas of design. We believe the relationship between a building and its setting is critical for the success of any project. We are looking to further grow our in-house skills and offer the opportunity for a talented horticulturalist to join our growing landscape team, contributing to a range of challenging, high profile master planning and public realm, regeneration and green infrastructure, projects.

Our diverse International portfolio has led us to seek a horticulturalist/ecologist to support our landscape team in the development of robust and environmental design solutions. The candidate should have an excellent horticultural knowledge in a wide geographic/biome areas with an understanding of plants and planting communities and their ecological performance.

Role definition

Job Title: Ecologist
Reporting to: Manager on a day to day basis and ultimately to the Senior Partner

Responsibilities

  • Work closely with the landscape architects in the team, to develop landscape proposals on an international scale which have horticultural robustness and promote ecology and sustainability.
  • Guide the design team on the selection of appropriate planting, communities and species promoting the ecological and sustainable value of our designs
  • Provide additional support to the compilation of management plans and maintenance strategies that promote ecology and sustainability over the evolution of our projects.
  • Work closely with our sustainability teams to capture the horticultural benefits within the overall strategies of our proposals, an understanding of sustainability measures such as, but not limited to LEED, BREEAM and Green Mark would be beneficial.
  • An understanding of nursery practices around the world to establish relationships with growers to maintain the quality of our proposals through the fruition.
  • Work with other team members to research and advise on suitable design solutions, particularly the horticultural aspects, on projects around the world
  • Support the design teams through research into project specific landscape design issues • Contribute, or otherwise assist, as required
  • Thorough knowledge of and compliance with Foster + Partners procedures and standards

Qualities and skills required

  • Able to demonstrate ability to undertake the above responsibilities
  • Legally able to work in the country in which the position is based
  • Prior Horticultural training to the highest standard from a recognised establishment.
  • Working knowledge of plants used in design and specifications required to implement the project.
  • Experience in the construction or development industry
  • Self-motivated and able to take responsibility
  • Able to demonstrate initiative and a proactive approach to daily tasks
  • Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a team, assisting and supporting team members, as well as the ability to communicate efficiently and clearly both verbally and in written and graphical form
  • Flexible attitude

Desirable

  • Able to speak another language

This description reflects the core activities of the role but is not intended to be all-inclusive and other duties within the group/department may be required in addition to changes in the emphasis of duties as required from time to time. There is a requirement for the post holder to recognise this and adopt a flexible approach to work. Job descriptions will be reviewed regularly and where necessary revised in accordance with organisational needs. Any major changes will be discussed with the post holder.