Job summary
An
exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head Gardener who will be responsible for
the provision of a gardening and grounds maintenance service for Springhill
Hospice and other local Hospice properties, including the efficient operation
of the organic allotment.
The
successful candidate will be encouraged to continually enhance the gardens to
meet our patients and service needs. The post-holder will be responsible for
the recruitment, retention, training, and day-to-day management of the Garden Volunteer
Team. The Head Gardener will also contribute to fundraising and marketing
activities and the procuring of materials and equipment.
Main duties of the job
The function
of the Head Gardener is to ensure the provision of a gardening and grounds
maintenance service to Springhill Hospice and other local satellite properties,
including the efficient operation of the allotment. The post holder will be responsible for the
recruitment, retention, training, and day-to-day management of the garden
volunteer team. The Head Gardener will also contribute to fundraising and
marketing activities, designing and enhancing the gardens and the procuring of
materials and equipment.
About us
This role is based at Springhill Hospice, Rochdale.
Springhill
Hospice providesthe following palliative care services to the local adult
population who are suffering from the effects of life-limiting and terminal
illnesses:
A 16-bed Inpatient
unit providing 24-hour medical and nursing care.
Hospice at
Home Service - supports people who
want to end their days in their own home by providing the support and symptom
management they need to be able to do so.
A Day
Therapies Centre for up to 16 patients, 4-days-a-week, offering
complementary therapies (e.g. reflexology, aromatherapy and massage);
creative and beauty therapies, social activities and clinical support.
Community
Service - provides specialist
palliative care and support to patients and families in their own homes
A 24-hour Palliative
Care Advice Line for patients, families, carers and health professionals.
Bereavement Support for relatives following loss.
Counselling
Services for patients, carers and
relatives, provided by a qualified therapist.
An Education
Unit - an in-house training facility for hospice staff and local health and
social care professionals, with the main focus of training being on the
Springhill Palliative Care Education Passport' (SPCEP) which ensures that core
palliative care skills are taught to all grades of staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Aim:The function
of the Head Gardener is to ensure the provision of a gardening and grounds
maintenance service to Springhill Hospice and other local satellite properties,
including the efficient operation of the allotment. The post holder will be responsible for the
recruitment, retention, training, and day-to-day management of the garden
volunteer team. The Head Gardener will also contribute to fundraising and
marketing activities, designing and enhancing the gardens and the procuring of
materials and equipment.
Main
Duties:
1.
Be responsible for the effective management and
development of the Hospice gardens and grounds.
2.
Maintain excellent standards of garden and
grounds presentation, following best horticultural and garden equipment
practices.
3.
Be responsible for the overall recruitment, training
and development, organisation and supervision of our regular garden volunteers.
4.
Co-ordinate the work of, and supervise
placements from, external agencies such as Hopwood Hall College and our corporate
volunteer groups, developing positive and mutually beneficial relationships.
5.
Oversee the work of garden subcontractors,
ensuring works are carried out in a safe manner and to the standard appropriate
for the site.
6.
Produce organically grown fruit and vegetables
for use by our Hospice Catering Team.
7.
Be proactive in identifying grounds maintenance
and garden developmental needs, and their associated resource/budget
requirements.
8.
Manage the departmental budget, identifying and
co-ordinating day to day expenditure and the purchase of items such as
gardening sundries, tools and equipment.
9.
Develop initiatives to generate income such as
plant and surplus crop sales, memorial schemes, Open Garden Day events etc..
in collaboration with the Fundraising Team.
10.
Contribute to bids for funding which have the
potential to facilitate garden projects.
11.
Contribute to on-site garden and landscaping
project management and co-ordination of capital developments.
12.
Monitor and maintain appropriate records for the
effective management of volunteers, health and safety responsibilities, and
equipment inventories.
13.
Co-ordinate with fundraising any requests for
memorial plants, garden furnishings and plaques, and liaising with families in
a sensitive manner.
14.
Be willing to attend to patients needs and
requests while still keeping up the high standards of maintenance of the
gardens.
15.
Be prepared to work in adverse weather
conditions and to contribute to the Hospice Severe Cold Weather Response, as
and when required.
General:
Read, understand and comply with all Hospice
policies and procedures, applying the principles appropriate to the role.
To be aware of individual specific responsibilities
in respect of the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, in relation to the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Aim:The function
of the Head Gardener is to ensure the provision of a gardening and grounds
maintenance service to Springhill Hospice and other local satellite properties,
including the efficient operation of the allotment. The post holder will be responsible for the
recruitment, retention, training, and day-to-day management of the garden
volunteer team. The Head Gardener will also contribute to fundraising and
marketing activities, designing and enhancing the gardens and the procuring of
materials and equipment.
Main
Duties:
1.
Be responsible for the effective management and
development of the Hospice gardens and grounds.
2.
Maintain excellent standards of garden and
grounds presentation, following best horticultural and garden equipment
practices.
3.
Be responsible for the overall recruitment, training
and development, organisation and supervision of our regular garden volunteers.
4.
Co-ordinate the work of, and supervise
placements from, external agencies such as Hopwood Hall College and our corporate
volunteer groups, developing positive and mutually beneficial relationships.
5.
Oversee the work of garden subcontractors,
ensuring works are carried out in a safe manner and to the standard appropriate
for the site.
6.
Produce organically grown fruit and vegetables
for use by our Hospice Catering Team.
7.
Be proactive in identifying grounds maintenance
and garden developmental needs, and their associated resource/budget
requirements.
8.
Manage the departmental budget, identifying and
co-ordinating day to day expenditure and the purchase of items such as
gardening sundries, tools and equipment.
9.
Develop initiatives to generate income such as
plant and surplus crop sales, memorial schemes, Open Garden Day events etc..
in collaboration with the Fundraising Team.
10.
Contribute to bids for funding which have the
potential to facilitate garden projects.
11.
Contribute to on-site garden and landscaping
project management and co-ordination of capital developments.
12.
Monitor and maintain appropriate records for the
effective management of volunteers, health and safety responsibilities, and
equipment inventories.
13.
Co-ordinate with fundraising any requests for
memorial plants, garden furnishings and plaques, and liaising with families in
a sensitive manner.
14.
Be willing to attend to patients needs and
requests while still keeping up the high standards of maintenance of the
gardens.
15.
Be prepared to work in adverse weather
conditions and to contribute to the Hospice Severe Cold Weather Response, as
and when required.
General:
Read, understand and comply with all Hospice
policies and procedures, applying the principles appropriate to the role.
To be aware of individual specific responsibilities
in respect of the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, in relation to the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum Level 2 (RHS/BTEC/NVQ) in Horticulture or Amenity Horticulture.
- A good standard of general education.
Desirable
- Level 3 and above (RHS/BTEC/NVQ/BSc) in Horticulture or Amenity Horticulture
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of a wide range of plants and their growing requirements. Skilled in practical horticultural techniques e.g. propagation, pruning, pest control, soil and plant care
- Knowledge of health and safety compliance requirements, including correct use of PPE, COSHH, Manual Handling, Risk Assessments etc
- Recruitment, coaching and development of our garden volunteers
- Able to manage own time and workload effectively, and manage the adhoc and regular garden volunteer rotas, to ensure team coverage for all grounds areas and tasks
- Ability to lead, motivate, and manage a diverse team of volunteers effectively i.e. with varying motivation, age, gender, and physical and mental capacities
Desirable
- Knowledge of environmental sustainability and organic gardening methods i.e. composting, upcycling, water saving
- Develop and implement planting plans and schemes for attractive displays, including annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees
Experience
Essential
- Previous garden management and volunteer supervisory experience
- Maintaining a large and varied garden to a high standard, including maintaining garden paths, structures and buildings
- Proficiency in operating various garden tools and powered equipment
- Oversee all plant health and, seasonal pruning and cultivation activities, including growing edibles i.e. fruit, veg, herbs
- Training others on garden maintenance techniques and safe use of equipment
- Experience of lawn and meadow maintenance
- Monitor and address hazards such as severe weather conditions like heatwaves, snow, ice, and remove litter to ensure safety of visitors, volunteers and staff
Desirable
- Work within agreed budgets for grounds maintenance, garden development, and other supplies and services
- Maintain records, inventories, and prepare reports on grounds maintenance activities
- Experience of managing memorial plants and installations including liaising with fundraising and donating families
Other
Essential
- Good customer service skills and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with a wide range of people
- Confident with working autonomously and proactively making decisions in relation to the grounds/gardens dept.
- Willingness to collaborate with others and support Hospice fundraising events, marketing promotional activities and tours, and local corporate volunteers involvement
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum Level 2 (RHS/BTEC/NVQ) in Horticulture or Amenity Horticulture.
- A good standard of general education.
Desirable
- Level 3 and above (RHS/BTEC/NVQ/BSc) in Horticulture or Amenity Horticulture
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of a wide range of plants and their growing requirements. Skilled in practical horticultural techniques e.g. propagation, pruning, pest control, soil and plant care
- Knowledge of health and safety compliance requirements, including correct use of PPE, COSHH, Manual Handling, Risk Assessments etc
- Recruitment, coaching and development of our garden volunteers
- Able to manage own time and workload effectively, and manage the adhoc and regular garden volunteer rotas, to ensure team coverage for all grounds areas and tasks
- Ability to lead, motivate, and manage a diverse team of volunteers effectively i.e. with varying motivation, age, gender, and physical and mental capacities
Desirable
- Knowledge of environmental sustainability and organic gardening methods i.e. composting, upcycling, water saving
- Develop and implement planting plans and schemes for attractive displays, including annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees
Experience
Essential
- Previous garden management and volunteer supervisory experience
- Maintaining a large and varied garden to a high standard, including maintaining garden paths, structures and buildings
- Proficiency in operating various garden tools and powered equipment
- Oversee all plant health and, seasonal pruning and cultivation activities, including growing edibles i.e. fruit, veg, herbs
- Training others on garden maintenance techniques and safe use of equipment
- Experience of lawn and meadow maintenance
- Monitor and address hazards such as severe weather conditions like heatwaves, snow, ice, and remove litter to ensure safety of visitors, volunteers and staff
Desirable
- Work within agreed budgets for grounds maintenance, garden development, and other supplies and services
- Maintain records, inventories, and prepare reports on grounds maintenance activities
- Experience of managing memorial plants and installations including liaising with fundraising and donating families
Other
Essential
- Good customer service skills and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with a wide range of people
- Confident with working autonomously and proactively making decisions in relation to the grounds/gardens dept.
- Willingness to collaborate with others and support Hospice fundraising events, marketing promotional activities and tours, and local corporate volunteers involvement
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
