Job Description

Post Details

Roots and Shoots Gardener

Role purpose

Responsible for the care and cultivation of The Roots and Shoots Garden and the support of horticultural Community and Education programmes.

Overview

The Alnwick Garden is registered charity and award-winning visitor attraction, located in Alnwick Northumberland. With excess of 360,00 visitors annually The Garden is commercially driven, and visitor focused; whilst also operating as a charity (with associated values) - this provides a unique culture.

"Roots and Shoots" lies adjacent to The Alnwick Garden and is a dedicated space for food growing and community engagement. By combining food growing with education, wellbeing initiatives, and skills development, Roots and Shoots creates a thriving community resource that promotes health, resilience, and opportunity for everyone involved.

A range of community initiatives are delivered from Roots and Shoots including:

"Roots and Shoots" delivered to schools, enabling children to gain practical experience in food growing, learn about healthy living and sustainable food choices.

Programmes that support beneficiaries by offering activities that promote wellbeing, build confidence, and enhance pathways into training and employment.

Gentleman's Garden Weekly Sessions for people aged over 55, providing opportunities for social connection, physical activity, and continuous learning.

Young Gardeners - Monthly sessions for young people with special educational needs and their families to build skills, friendships and support networks.

Climate Action - Community Fridge, Apiary and Climate Action Hub.

All programmes are subject to funding and may change accordingly.

Duties and Responsibilities

To undertake a comprehensive range of horticulture tasks to a very high standard. The tasks will cover the whole of the Roots and Shoots Garden.

1. Planting, pruning and garden maintenance.

2. Weeding the garden to a high standard.

3. Working well and safely with machines.

4. Working with Community and Education (C&E) colleagues to support the delivery of C&E programmes

5. Supporting in the planning and organisation of C&E programmes and activities

6. Ensuring plants and gardening equipment stock are available and where necessary ordered for C&E activities.

7. Working with children and vulnerable adults whilst working on C&E programmes.

8. Maintaining good plant knowledge.

9. Maintaining a positive working relationship with all colleagues.

10. Supporting the Garden Team when capacity permits, this will usually be when there is reduced horticultural activity in the winter months.

11. Assisting in the installation and removal of displays, exhibitions and decorations specific to The Alnwick Garden events programme, including Christmas, Halloween and summer holiday related themes.

12. Produce and prepare plants for sale to the public, this may involve cash handling.

13. Any other duties as requested by the Strategic Head of Community and Education / Head Gardener to enable the smoothing running of Community Programmes and The Garden.

Person Specification

The successful applicant will have

1. A solid foundation of gardening knowledge and experience.

2. Strong interpersonal skills to build positive working relationships with colleagues, partner organisations and beneficiaries.

3. Ability to prioritise workloads and work to agreed deadlines.

4. Ability to understand the challenges and priorities of colleagues and capacity offer support where possible.

5. Ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.

6. Ability to undertake gardening tasks to a good standard using sustainable and environmentally responsible methods.

7. Excellent planning and organisational skills

8. The capacity to work collaboratively and enthusiastically with teams and individuals at all levels of the organisation

9. Ability to work in a values driven organisation and adhere to the Values of The Alnwick Garden

10. Willing to develop people skills and gardening skills through relevant training opportunities

11. Driving licence (desirable)

Our Values

Be able to demonstrate and practice:

Trust -

We are committed to build relationships of trust between each other and with our customers and beneficiaries. Our relationships will be grown on a foundation of openness and transparency. We will always strive to do what we said we would do and act at all times with honesty and integrity.

Caring -

We strive to be compassionate and kind to each other, our visitors and our community. Carefully listening to concerns and feedback is key to formulating a caring response.

Respect -

We will always endeavour to respect The Garden, its vision and everyone's role in the team that makes The Garden successful.

Collaboration -

We acknowledge that teamworking is the key to success. We commit to investing in each other's success and will do what we can to support each other. We will have the strength to constructively challenge each other and will take such challenge as a supportive action.

Positivity -

We will strive to ensure that The Garden is always seen as a symbol of positivity with a 'can do' mentality. Any challenge can be overcome with commitment, team work and a positive approach.

Accountability -

We understand that things may not always go to plan but we will take responsibility for when things go wrong. We will ask for help when needed. We will identify errors as learning opportunities and do all we can to rectify mistakes promptly.

Quirky -

We are proudly different and will never shy away from thinking outside the box and trying new things. We will always emphasise creativity and boldness and these traits will be embedded in The Garden's design and entertainment programmes.

Inclusivity and Accessibility -

The Garden is a place for everyone to visit and enjoy regardless of background or viewpoint. We encourage everyone to express themselves and bring new ideas and new ways of working to the workplace. As an organisation we pride ourselves on having open doors and every employee having access to managers and department heads when needed.

Diversity -

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We recognise that the different perspectives and characteristics our people bring with them can only benefit the organisation. By actively engaging with colleagues, we seek to create a positive environment where everyone from any background can do their best work and will not accept any actions which prevent that.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From 24,761.88 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme Employee discount On-site parking Sick pay
Work Location: In person