Head Gardener - Pitmedden, United Kingdom - National Trust for Scotland

Description

KEY PURPOSE

This job exists to ensure that the garden and policies of Pitmedden Garden and Haddo House are managed and maintained as nationally recognised gardens of high horticultural importance, contributing to the property's overall conservation and development, and its enjoyment by visitors and supporters in line with the Trust conservation procedures and Heritage Garden Management Plan.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Key Purposes of the job will be met by:

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:

Practical horticulture (e.g., managing trees and shrubs, roses, herbaceous plants, vegetable and fruit gardens and bulbs; turf care; pest/disease/weed control; composting and soil improvement; hard landscaping; path care, plant propagation; plant sales management, tree care, Arboricultural techniques, care & maintenance of garden machinery, tractors, and estate management equipment).

Plantsmanship (e.g., the identification, recording (using Plant databases), labelling of individual plants and other collections).

Research and development (e.g., research into historical precedents and practical contemporary solutions to inform proposed activities and projects).

Interpretation (e.g., through the development and delivery of events such as introductory talks, guided tours or practical demonstrations, contribution to guidebooks or leaflets).

1. Ensuring an appropriate management regime of the gardens and policies that includes the management of:

Staff: including the Regional Grass Cutter and volunteers (recruitment, induction, development, performance management) such that they are fully equipped and motivated to undertake their duties to the required Trust standards.

budgets (setting, phasing, monitoring, pro-active and re-active adjustments) such that both gardens' finances are sustainable within the context of the wider property budgets.

health, safety and the environment in line with stated Trust policies and approaches to ensure the health and welfare of staff/volunteers.

recognition of the Trust's Environmental Policy with respect to sustainable gardening activities, including energy, water, recycling, carbon reduction, peat & pesticide-use.

daily, weekly, yearly and longer-term operational work plans and reporting in the context of the properties' statements of significance and action plans (and contribution to these action plans) to ensure that activities are prioritised and planned to optimize the use of resources.

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.

Taking a lead property role in monitoring and reporting on hazardous tree inspections

administration to enable gardening activities to be undertaken and recorded efficiently.

1. Participating fully in the property's wider "management team" including

supporting the Operations manager strategically and practically with the operation of the properties, and assuming the role of "duty manager" as required

taking an active role in promoting the gardens and properties through digital media, events, workshops, presentations, and talks.

Managing turf areas, traffic flow and protecting the estate landscape features during major events including supervision of contractors.

Snow, ice, and storm management

Fire and security duties on a rota basis

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 direct Line Manager of two Assistant Head Gardeners based at each location; as well as a team of gardeners including: full time Gardeners, seasonal gardeners, and many volunteers.

Will work closely with other property colleagues (in particular other "heads of department", and will have some interaction with other technical/specialist advisory colleagues based in other locations and departments (e.g., Head of Gardens & Designed Landscapes, Gardens Advisory staff);

Will assume supervision of (and responsibility for) all other on-site staff/volunteers (all departments) when designated "Duty Manager" by the Operations Manager or Regional Director for the North East.

Will have regular (daily) interaction with members of the public of all ages and abilities.

Will have frequent interaction with suppliers and contractors.

Finance Management

Budget-holder.

Will regularly use computerised finance system for the raising of purchase orders for the supply of goods and service, monitoring and setting of revenue budgets and managing capital project work relating to garden activity at both properties.

Tools/equipment

Will be a frequent user of driven vehicles such as tractors, ride-on and pedestrian mowers.

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.