Anexciting opportunity has arisen for a Head Gardener who will be responsible forthe provision of a gardening and grounds maintenance service for SpringhillHospice and other local Hospice properties, including the efficient operationof the organic allotment.
Thesuccessful candidate will be encouraged to continually enhance the gardens tomeet our patients and service needs. The post-holder will be responsible forthe recruitment, retention, training, and day-to-day management of the Garden VolunteerTeam. The Head Gardener will also contribute to fundraising and marketingactivities and the procuring of materials and equipment.
Main duties of the job
The functionof the Head Gardener is to ensure the provision of a gardening and groundsmaintenance service to Springhill Hospice and other local satellite properties,including the efficient operation of the allotment. The post holder will be responsible for therecruitment, retention, training, and day-to-day management of the gardenvolunteer team. The Head Gardener will also contribute to fundraising andmarketing activities, designing and enhancing the gardens and the procuring ofmaterials and equipment.
About us
This role is based at Springhill Hospice, Rochdale.
SpringhillHospice providesthe following palliative care services to the local adultpopulation who are suffering from the effects of life-limiting and terminalillnesses:
A 16-bed Inpatientunit providing 24-hour medical and nursing care.
Hospice atHome Service - supports people whowant to end their days in their own home by providing the support and symptommanagement they need to be able to do so.
A DayTherapies Centre for up to 16 patients, 4-days-a-week, offeringcomplementary therapies (e.g. reflexology, aromatherapy and massage);creative and beauty therapies, social activities and clinical support.
CommunityService - provides specialistpalliative care and support to patients and families in their own homes
A 24-hour PalliativeCare Advice Line for patients, families, carers and health professionals.
Bereavement Support for relatives following loss.
CounsellingServices for patients, carers andrelatives, provided by a qualified therapist.
An EducationUnit - an in-house training facility for hospice staff and local health andsocial care professionals, with the main focus of training being on theSpringhill Palliative Care Education Passport' (SPCEP) which ensures that corepalliative care skills are taught to all grades of staff.
Job responsibilities
Aim:The functionof the Head Gardener is to ensure the provision of a gardening and groundsmaintenance service to Springhill Hospice and other local satellite properties,including the efficient operation of the allotment. The post holder will be responsible for therecruitment, retention, training, and day-to-day management of the gardenvolunteer team. The Head Gardener will also contribute to fundraising andmarketing activities, designing and enhancing the gardens and the procuring ofmaterials and equipment.
MainDuties:
1.Be responsible for the effective management anddevelopment of the Hospice gardens and grounds.
2.Maintain excellent standards of garden andgrounds presentation, following best horticultural and garden equipmentpractices.
3.Be responsible for the overall recruitment, trainingand development, organisation and supervision of our regular garden volunteers.
4.Co-ordinate the work of, and superviseplacements from, external agencies such as Hopwood Hall College and our corporatevolunteer 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 appropriatefor the site.
6.Produce organically grown fruit and vegetablesfor use by our Hospice Catering Team.
7.Be proactive in identifying grounds maintenanceand garden developmental needs, and their associated resource/budgetrequirements.
8.Manage the departmental budget, identifying andco-ordinating day to day expenditure and the purchase of items such asgardening sundries, tools and equipment.
9.Develop initiatives to generate income such asplant 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 thepotential to facilitate garden projects.
11.Contribute to on-site garden and landscapingproject management and co-ordination of capital developments.
12.Monitor and maintain appropriate records for theeffective management of volunteers, health and safety responsibilities, andequipment inventories.
13.Co-ordinate with fundraising any requests formemorial plants, garden furnishings and plaques, and liaising with families ina sensitive manner.
14.Be willing to attend to patients needs andrequests while still keeping up the high standards of maintenance of thegardens.
15.Be prepared to work in adverse weatherconditions and to contribute to the Hospice Severe Cold Weather Response, asand when required.
General:
Read, understand and comply with all Hospicepolicies and procedures, applying the principles appropriate to the role.
To be aware of individual specific responsibilitiesin respect of the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, in relation to the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Minimum Level 2 (RHS/BTEC/NVQ) in Horticulture or Amenity Horticulture.
* A good standard of general education.
* Level 3 and above (RHS/BTEC/NVQ/BSc) in Horticulture or Amenity Horticulture
Knowledge and Skills
* 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
* 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
* 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
* 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
* 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
* 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.
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