Community Gardener

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To maintain, develop and improve the community gardens, including planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, composting and general site upkeep.
• To promote, foster and sustain effective working relationships with volunteers,community groups, schools, local residents and partner organisations.
• To support the Project Manager in the delivery of specific gardening projects and the management of daily operations of SCGP in line with the organisation's objectives and relevant legislation.
• To plan organise and facilitate gardening sessions, workshops, and community events.
• To supervise, support and train volunteers to carry out gardening tasks safely and effectively.
• To contribute to the development of procedures, projects and initiatives related to food growing, sustainability and environmental awareness.
• To positively engage with residents of Shettleston and encourage participation in gardening activities.
• To assist with evaluations and monitoring of all SCGP gardening activities.
• To comply with the Equality Act 2010, Health and Safety Act 1974 and Data Protection Act GDPR 2018.
• To arrange and coordinate/facilitate gardening activities in line with project plans to create awareness and community involvement.
• To maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• To ensure accurate records of gardening activities are kept and contribute to the regular monitoring, reviewing and development of SCGP services.
• To prepare and present reports to the SCGP Board of Directors and external partner organisations as/when required.
• To prepare risk assessments for gardening activities and ensure the health and safety of staff, volunteers and community participants.
• To promote the work and ethos of SCGP and to comply with SCGP Equality Policy.
• To ensure that gardening tools, equipment and facilities are maintained and stored safely.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties, and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation. The job description will be reviewed and amended, in consultation with the postholder, as duties and responsibilities change.

Personal Training and Development

Undertake appropriate horticultural and community development training where necessary.

Person Specification and Method of Assessment

Essential requirements

Educational/ Training and Qualifications

• Experience in practical gardening, horticulture, landscaping or food growing.
• Working knowledge of Health and Safety at work.
• Experience in writing risk assessment reports
• Relevant work / other experience in partnership working in a community setting.
• Ability to communicate effectively with members of the public, volunteers, schools and partner organisations.
• Experience of working with and supervising volunteers.
• Experience of working as part of a team.
• Knowledge of community engagement methods.
• Knowledge of sustainability and inclusion within a community setting.

Particular Skills/Abilities

• Ability to carry out practical gardening tasks to a high standard.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to enable effective working in a community.
• Ability to write clear and accurate reports.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision: prioritising workload effectively to meet seasonal tasks and deadlines.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to motivate others and encourage participation in gardening activities.

Personal Qualities

• Flexibility, enthusiasm and the ability to lead and support a small team of volunteers.
• Ability to form productive working relationships with a wide variety of people.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivation and commitment to the ethos of community development.
• Ability to foster "a can-do" culture by actively seeking solutions to problems.

Any Additional Job-related requirements

• Willingness to undertake occasional evening and weekend work

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 12 months

Pay: From £17,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 21 per week

Benefits:

• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee mentoring programme
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person