Helmsley Walled Garden

HELMSLEY WALLED GARDEN

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: HEAD GARDENER

RESPONSIBLE TO: Garden Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Gardening volunteers, Assistant Head Gardener, apprentices

LOCATION: Helmsley Walled Garden, Cleveland Way, Helmsley, YO62 5AH

JOB PURPOSE:

·  Take the strategic lead on the design and development of the 5 acres of Helmsley Walled Garden in line with the Business Plan

·  Lead and develop a team of gardeners and volunteers who are responsible for delivering the highest level of gardens maintenance and presentation at all times.

·  Work with the Garden Manager to drive footfall and increase the number of visits to Helmsley Walled Garden.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A.  Development and maintenance of the Garden

·  Be responsible for the strategic overview of the Garden’s horticultural development through developing Garden plans that deliver the Vision and Business Plan requirements.

·  Responsible for the practical horticulture within the Garden e.g. managing trees and shrubs, roses, herbaceous plants, and bulbs, turf care, pest/disease/weed control, composting and soil improvement, hard-landscaping, path care and plant propagation with a view to utilising plant species to benefit wildlife

·  Maintain the Garden displays including the kitchen garden, physic garden, top and soft fruit, ornamental beds, lawns and meadows and glasshouses all to the highest professional standard

·  Assist in the maintenance of glasshouses, cold frames, paths and other garden structures to a high standard

·  Support the horticultural therapists on matters of horticulture

·  Assist in the interpretation of the Garden to visitors e.g. through the development and delivery of events such as garden talks, guided tours or practical demonstrations and horticultural advice

B.  People management

·  Responsible for the recruitment, induction, management and support of gardening volunteers and or apprentices/trainee gardeners such that they are fully equipped and motivated to undertake their duties to the required standards.

·  Oversee the day to day management of the Assistant Head Gardener and any short-term contract staff or contractors

·  Provide excellent customer service and care to volunteers and visitors to ensure that the Garden’s reputation for excellence is maintained and enhanced

·  Respect the confidentiality of any person working within the gardens

C.  Health and Safety

·  Adhere to all Health and Safety Policies and procedures

·  Responsibility for horticultural risk assessments within the Garden

·  Ensuring the maintenance of machinery and hand tools

·  Work within Helmsley Walled Garden’s environmental ethos with respect to sustainable gardening activities, including energy, water, peat & pesticide-use

·  Responsibility for all chemical spraying within the Garden

·  Report to the Garden Manager any areas of concern that impact on the safety and efficiency of the Garden

·  Be aware of and implement your health and safety responsibilities as an employee. Work with colleagues and others to maintain health, safety and welfare within the working environment

D.  OTHER

·  Deputise for the Garden Manager in his/her absence

·  Joint responsibility with the Garden Manager for security/fire alarm call outs

·  Responsibility for a small budget

·  Contribute to management meetings that determine the operation of the charity.

·  Support other garden functions such as kiosk tasks and horticultural therapy

·  Undertake any administration duties to enable gardening activities to be undertaken and recorded efficiently.

·  Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required of you in the post.

This job description will be reviewed with the post-holder at significant points for the organisation.

HELMSLEY WALLED GARDEN

PERSON SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE: HEAD GARDENER

CORE COMPETENCIES / Essential / Desirable
Qualifications / NVQ Level 2 in a suitable horticultural qualification or demonstrable equivalent practical experience
Holds or is prepared to achieve PA1/PA6 spraying certificates / NVQ Level 3 in a suitable horticultural qualification
Professional knowledge / Good level of plantsmanship/plant husbandry skills. Knowledge of a range of horticultural techniques covering a wide range of plant types.
Artistic plantsmanship/design skills.
Sound knowledge of basic tool and machinery use and maintenance
Experience of managing operational risk, including how to assess and manage risk effectively. Knowledge of all Health & Safety and Compliance requirements relevant to horticulture / Understanding of garden development plans
Knowledge and understanding of conservation of historic landscapes
Experience and skills / Experience of working in a garden open to the public and maintaining it to a high standard
Leadership skills including coaching, team development, motivation and communication
Experience of working with volunteers. Understands the different approaches needed to reward, recognise and motivate volunteers.
Sound practical knowledge of Health and Safety processes and procedures and the ability to work effectively within these processes
Competency and self-sufficiency in use of IT (e.g. email, internet, word-processing, spreadsheets, social media). / Experience of developing and implementing strategic garden plans
Understanding of garden activities which enhance garden visits
Experience of directing staff
Experience of managing small budgets
Personal qualities / Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and manage own workload
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability and willingness to work both individually and as part of a team.
First rate customer care skills and confident in interacting with a wide range of people. Ability to represent Helmsley Walled Garden
Willingness to undertake training and personal development
Willingness to adapt positively to change
A keen interest in, and a firm commitment to, the aims and values of Helmsley Walled Garden
Other / Holds a driving licence & has access to a car
Satisfactorily met the requirements of the DBS check appropriate to post
Willing and able to work regular weekends as part of a shared rota and occasional evenings

SUMMARY TERMS AND CONDITIONS – HEAD GARDENER

Pay

£25,000 per annum

Hours of work

High Season: April – October

You will work five days per week between the hours of 9am and 5.30pm. Your days of work will usually be Monday – Friday but may include Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday working, by prior agreement.

Mid Season: February – March

You will work five days per week between the hours of 9am and 5.00pm. Your days of work will usually be Monday – Friday but may include Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday working, by prior agreement.

Low Season: November-January

You will work five days per week between the hours of 9am and 4.00pm. Your days of work will usually be Monday – Friday but may include Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday working, by prior agreement.

Holiday

Your statutory holiday allowance is 28 days paid holiday per year including bank and public holidays. Part of your paid holiday allowance will need to be taken over the Christmas closure of the Garden.

Pension

Helmsley Walled Garden Limited has a contributory pension scheme operated through NEST in accordance with auto enrolment requirements set out by The Pensions Regulator (www.tpr.gov.uk ). Employee contribution is currently 3% and employer contribution is 2%.

Probation

There will be a three month probation period.

Notice Period:

One calendar month on either side after a satisfactory three month probationary period. During the probation period the notice period is 2 weeks on either side.