Gardener at Kincarrathie House Care Home

**Job description**

**Gardener at Kincarrathie House Care Home (Annualised Salary Contract)**

If you are passionate about gardening, we are an employer that will match your commitment with a highly attractive reward package and a great working environment.

The Kincarrathie Trust is a non-profit making charitable trust which means that all income generated is invested back into Kincarrathie House Care Home and our Staff.

**Job Summary**

As part of a two-person team carry out a range of gardening/grounds maintenance and other duties in order to maintain the grounds and gardens around Kincarrathie House to a high standard. Produce seasonal fruit and vegetables to supply the home’s kitchen in our newly developed Walled Garden.

You will be part of a team that provides person-centred high standard of care to help residents retain personal dignity and individuality. You will be passionate about enhancing the lives of residents, with a kind and supporting nature to encourage our residents to engage in gardening activities.

You will have a genuine interest in working within a caring environment, possess good communication skills and be a good team player. A clear security check from PVG Scotland and two satisfactory references are essential. A RHS or C&G horticulture qualification is desirable as is experience in a similar environment.

The **Annualised contract hours** you will work are:
**March to October** 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (37.5 hrs per week)

**November to February **8am to 4pm two designated days Mon to Frid (15hrs per week)

£25 per day Weekend On-call Allowance bi-weekly for de

**MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

**SERVICE**
- Maintain a professional and welcoming approach at all times when dealing with residents, staff, visitors and general public in the grounds
- Undertake a range of general and more experienced gardening and maintenance tasks i.e. sowing seeds, plant and vegetable husbandry, grass cutting (using tractor and mowers) strimming, hedge trimming, weeding, pruning shrubs, clearance of leaves and litter.
- Preparing gardens for spring planting, i.e. digging and fertilising, and planting out spring and summer borders, and undertake tree maintenance as required, aim to ensure that that the House is provided with fresh flowers all year round
- Indoor house plant and fresh flower provision and care
- Maintenance of all gardening furniture
- Maintain ponds, nest boxes, bird feeders and bird bath
- Operate the winter maintenance programme for salting and snow clearing around the grounds of Kincarrathie House
- Drive Trust vehicles and conduct vehicle and equipment checks routine maintenance and cleaning
- General labouring jobs and associated maintenance programmes
- Cleaning and maintenance of tools and machinery
- Maintenance of compliance and safety records, including Risk Assessments for all undocumented works
- Aiding the Activities Team by encouraging and supporting residents with gardening activities in our newly redeveloped Walled Garden
- Ensure that the main driveway and emergency exits are kept clear at all times
- Ensure that the grounds are safe so residents, their relatives, staff and all authorised personnel have all year access to the walled garden
- Ensure all personnel in and around the grounds of Kincarrathie House are authorised to be there
- Within our Health & Safety framework, assist our Maintenance Officer in moving furniture within the Home.
- Attend mandatory training and e-learning course as required

**STOCK & EQUIPMENT**
- Assist in ensuring the safe and effective control of all stored materials and grounds maintenance products
- Ensure that stock levels are maintained and ordered in line with requirements
- Report all defective equipment and ensure it is taken out of use. Organise repairs and/ or replacement quotes

**Qualifications & Skills**
- RHS or City & Guilds Horticulture qualification preferred

3 years gardening experience required

Driving license (preferred)
- A genuine interest in working within a caring environment.
- Effective communication skills.
- Good team player.

**Benefits**
- Hourly rate £10.42-£11 per hour, depending on experience
- Generous pension scheme.
- Group Life assurance at three times annual salary
- Homemade meals whilst on duty
- We are committed to giving ongoing training and development
- Uniforms are provided which helps to create a relaxed and welcoming environment.
- There is a bus stop at our front entrance and free on-site parking.

Kincarrathie provides a first-class working environment. We have been consistently assessed as very good/excellent by the Care Inspectorate over the last 5 years. Surveys from Residents, Families and Health Care Professionals are always highly complimentary. Maintaining a good ratio of staff to residents is important to us.

If you can see yourself working for an independent, well managed care home that places a high value on staff, we would love to hear from you.

**Job