KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Key Purposes of the job will be met by:
Ensuring the conservation and practical maintenance of the garden and policies – whether through delegation to other staff/volunteers, or personal participation – in terms of:
Practical horticulture (e.g. including managing trees and shrubs, herbaceous, pond plants and bulbs; turf care; pest/disease/weed control; composting and soil improvement; hard-landscaping and path care; soft landscaping and planting preparation; glasshouse care and plant propagation).
Garden Restoration/ Development (e.g planting and establishing newly introduced trees, shrubs and herbaceous; contributing to planning and design of new plantings and hard landscaping; use of chainsaw to process logs, stumps and brash for replanting.
Plantsmanship (e.g. the identification, knowledge and understanding of this high calibre plant collection, including recording [using Iris database], and labelling of individual plants and recognized collections).
Interpretation (e.g. through 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) to include the impact of various forms of Phytophthora and plant disease at the property.
Ensuring an appropriate management regime of the garden and policies that includes the management of:
Staff, Apprentice and volunteers (e.g. assisting the Head Gardener in recruitment, induction, direction, development, performance management) such that they are fully equipped, organised and motivated to undertake their duties to the required Trust standards.
Health, safety and the environment in line with stated Trust policies and approaches to ensure the health and welfare of staff/volunteers.
Machinery and equipment (e.g. ensuring timely and appropriate repairs, purchases and servicing) and its use (e.g. training, risk assessments and HAVS logs).
Recognition of the Trust’s Environmental Policy with respect to sustainable gardening activities, including energy, water, peat & pesticide-use.
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.
Administration to enable gardening activities to be undertaken and recorded efficiently.
3. Supporting the Head Gardener, Operations Manager & Visitor Services Manager strategically and practically with the operation of the property.