/ Job Description / April 2017
Role: Interim Head Gardener / Business:Built Heritage
Reports to:Gardens and Designed Landscapes Manager, Glasgow & West / Pay Band/Starting Salary: Band D– equivalent to £10.67 per hour
Location: Greenbank Garden, Flenders Road, Glasgow, G76 8RB / Type of Contract: Fixed-term for 6 months
Part-time/2 days per week

CONTEXT

Originally utilised as a Garden Advice Centre, Greenbank Garden is now managed as a garden to enthuse and inspire gardeners and non-gardeners alike whilst also performing a regionally significant function testing the suitability of plants for the Scottish climate. Greenbank Garden is compartmentalised on a domestic scale which allows the Trust to show the public how readily available plants can be used in their gardens. This is not a garden showing rare or expensive plants beyond the realms of the general public. It is a garden of relevance to all with an interest in horticulture regardless of budget, experience or size of garden.

That is not to say Greenbank Garden does not have plants of significance. It has nationally significant collections of Bergenias and Narcissi. The plant collection as a whole is also of regional significance due to its diversity. The plant collection is also very well catalogued and this adds further to its significance.

The Garden contains a number of features of note which add to the beauty and interest of the garden. The water statue 'Foam' was gifted to the Trust in 1983 by Charles D'Orville Pilkington Jackson. It was originally created for the Glasgow Empire Exhibition in 1938. Today this water sprite statue is perhaps one of Greenbank's most treasured features. The sundial found in the garden is also of some local significance, and is thought to predate Greenbank House.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To ensure that gardens at Greenbank are managed, maintained and developed as an internationally recognised site of horticultural importance, in line with the Trust’s conservation policies, priorities, performance standards and targets to ensure that enjoyment of the property by visitors and members is maximised and that commercial, financial and development objectives are achieved.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Ensuring the conservation and practical maintenance of the garden and policies – whether through delegation to other staff/volunteers, or personal participation - in terms of ensuring best practice is followed in:
  2. Practical horticulture(e.g. managing trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants, half-hardies, annuals and bulbs; pond care; turf care; pest/disease/weed control; composting and soil improvement; hard-landscaping; path care; glasshouse care, plant propagation; arboricultural works (preventative and reactive) to the required standards expected by the Trust and for the maximum safety of, and enjoyment by, visitors;
  3. Plantsmanship (e.g. the identification, knowledge and understanding of this high calibre and complex plant collection, including recording [using Demeter database], tagging, labeling, assessment and management of individual plants and recognized collections, appropriate acquisition and deaccessioning);
  4. Research and development (e.g. research into historical precedents and practical contemporary solutions to inform proposed activities and projects; support to the planning, design and implementation of restoration and/or development projects;
  5. Interpretation (e.g. through supporting the development and delivery of events such as introductory talks, presentations, guided tours or practical demonstrations and workshops, garden trails, digital media and contribution to guide-books or leaflets. In particular, the Head Gardener may take an active role in promoting the garden and property through digital media);
  6. Working with volunteer groups (e.g. planning Conservation Volunteer weekends and Thistle Camp weeks with the appropriate members of staff and group leaders, liaising with individuals and organizationsthat provide volunteering opportunities within the garden).
  1. Ensuring an appropriate management regime of the garden and policies that includes the management of:
  2. Staff including volunteers (recruitment, induction, development, performance review and management) such that they are fully equipped, informed and motivated to undertake their duties to the required Trust standards);
  3. Health, safety and the environment in line with stated Trust systems, policies, procedures and approaches support the Gardens and Designed Landscapes Managerto ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff/volunteers; ensuring that legislative and regulatory requirements are met. This will include regular recording of path, bridge, step, barrier, seat and structure conditions and tree inspections and taking appropriate remedial action. Also the maintenance of COSHH records, fire procedures, closure in the event of extreme weather or incident, accident, incident and near miss report and investigation;
  4. Recognition of the Trust’s Environmental Policy with respect to sustainable gardening activities, including energy, water, peat & pesticide-use;
  5. Daily and weekly operational workplansand reporting in the context of the property’s statements of significance, action plans and other plans (and contribution to those plans) to ensure that activities are prioritized and planned to optimize the use of resources;
  6. Customer service and care from garden staff/volunteers, and in the broader sense of facilities and “visiting experience”, to ensure that the properties’ reputation for excellence is maintained and enhanced (e.g. litter collection, opening/closing of the garden and security);
  7. Administration to enable gardening activities to be undertaken and recorded efficiently;
  8. Machinery and equipment (e.g. ensuring provision of fuel, relevant checks are carried out, timely and appropriate repairs, purchases and servicing, withdrawal from use, cyclical replacement, legal compliance - MOT, display of tax disc- and its use e.g. training, risk assessments and HAVS logs);
  1. Participating fully in the property’s wider “management team”, supporting theGardens and Designed Landscapes Manager and the Property Managerstrategically and practically with the operation of the property. Participate / contribute to the programme of public / private events run within the wider Estate. Managing change at the property to ensure the best use of resources.

The current duties of this job do require a criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) check to be carried out.

SCOPE OF JOB

People Management

  • Is a Line Manager of a team of gardeners which includes: 1 x full time First Gardener (Grade D) and 1 x full time Gardener (Grade B)
  • Management of volunteers
  • Will delegate responsibilities as appropriate to ensure the smooth running of the gardens, maximising the strengths of individual staff;
  • Will work closely with other property colleagues, and will have some interaction with other technical/specialist advisory colleagues based in other locations and departments;
  • Will assume supervision of (and responsibility for) other staff/volunteers when designated local “duty manager” as and when required;
  • Will have regular (daily) interaction with members of the public of all ages and abilities;
  • Will have regular interaction with suppliers and contractors (specifying, commissioning, overseeing and evaluating).

Financial

  • Has delegated responsibility for the Garden budget;
  • Will regularly use computerized finance system for the raising of Purchase Orders for the supply of goods and service; producing finance reports, monitoring of revenue budgets and managing capital project work relating to garden activities;
  • Generate income, such as through plant retail.

Tools/equipment

  • Will be a frequent user of driven vehicles such tractors (including trailers and other attachments) and garden vehicles;
  • Will be a frequent user of powered tools such as chainsaws, mowers, strimmers, hedge-cutters, etc.;
  • Will be a frequent user of hand-tools such as spades, forks, trowels, rakes, hoes, shears, and secateurs;
  • Will be a frequent user of IT equipment.

Technical

  • Is responsible for the control of pests and diseases;
  • Will attend technical update meetings and training.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

The above outlines the key skills the job holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition, either knowledge of or experience in the following is required:

Essential

  • Botanic Garden Diploma/ HND/ HNC in amenity horticulture or related subjects equivalent to NVQ/ SVQ Level 3;
  • Must also hold qualifications & experience demonstrating practical horticultural knowledge, e.g. NVQ/ SVQ Level 2 in amenity horticulture or City & Guilds Level 2 or demonstrable equivalent experience;
  • PA1 and PA6a spraying certificates;
  • Driving Licence, valid for driving within the UK including, if age relevant, Category E entitlement to tow trailers;
  • Substantial relevant practical experience in general amenity – and heritage gardening;
  • Sound demonstrable plantsmanship, including propagation skills and experience;
  • Sound knowledge of basic tool and machinery use and maintenance;
  • Sound practical knowledge of Health and Safety processes and procedures and the ability to work effectively within these processes;
  • Demonstrable experience of overseeing a team of staff and/or volunteers;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; confident in interacting and dealing with a wide range of people; and able to represent the Trust;
  • Good organisational and time-management skills – including the ability to prioritise work where necessary;
  • Competency and self-sufficiency in use of IT (email, internet, word-processing, spreadsheets, databases);
  • Tractor driving training and certification – including use of trailers (or willingness to train and use).

Desirable

  • Experience of managing retail plant sales;
  • Skills in arboricultural techniques, as a minimum basic chain-saw certificates CS30 & CS31 (or willingness to train and use);
  • Experience of working in a garden open to the public;
  • An appreciation of Scottish garden history in general;
  • Experience of tree inspections and advanced CS units;
  • Current First Aid certification (or willingness to train and use);
  • PA9 certification (or willingness to train and use).

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

As a Band D role, this role would be expected to exhibit the following competencies at Level 1 (see separate document for details of each level):

The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.

Applications

Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Greenbank Garden, Flenders Road, Glasgow, G76 8RB, by mail or by email via , with a closing date of Sunday, 14th May 2017 at midnight. Interviews will take place at Greenbank Garden on Tuesday 16th May. The successful candidate will hopefully be available for an immediate start however reasonable notice periods will be considered.