Position: Kitchen Gardener (Part time – 4 days per week)

Salary: £21,000

Responsible to:Estate Gardens Manager

Target Audiences: Visitors, volunteers, students, & health referrals

Chiswick House and Gardens Trust

The Chiswick House and Gardens Trust was incorporated in 2004 to unite the Grade 1 listed, 65 acre estate and the Grade 1 listed Neo-Palladian villa under one management. The over-arching aim is to position this world heritage, Grade 1 listed site centre stage in West London and to attract a much wider audience (current visitor numbers to Chiswick House is 12,000 pa). In 2010, the Trust assumed the management of the gardens after a major restoration on behalf of the London Borough of Hounslow. On 1st April 2017, the Trust assumes management responsibility for Chiswick House from English Heritage Trust. A capital works programme is planned, subject to funding, to create a new visitor reception, disabled access, refurbished state rooms and a new permanent exhibition.

The objectives of the Trust are to advance education by the preservation, restoration, maintenance, repair and enhancement of the House and Gardens and its contents, for the benefit of the public, the historical and architectural heritage of England and for such purposes as are exclusively charitable.

In 2016 the Trust received two gold awards in the RHS’s London in Bloom competition – gold and overall category winner for ‘Heritage Parks and Garden’; gold for ‘Walled Garden of the year’ and a horticulture achievement award to the Kitchen Gardener.

The Kitchen Garden is 3.5acres, it is one of 3 of 4 walled gardens (Walled, Cherry Orchard, Secret) - a working kitchen garden, selling produce to the Chiswick House Café, Hammonds delicatessen and park visitors. Supported by two volunteer teams on two days per week. Community work - the kitchen garden is currently the centre for the Trust’s education programme, 30 primary school visits a year and a weekly visit by a group of young people with special needs.

Critical to success for this heritage site will be to:

  • Increase visitor numbers to Chiswick House A new website is currently under construction
  • Develop more community engagement through the public programme and education activities
  • Increase the revenue through commercial activities and fundraising

Overall purpose of the Position:

  • To take lead responsibility for the gardening and produce development in the Kitchen Garden at Chiswick House.
  • To run the community volunteering and wellbeing programme in the walled gardens to encourage a greater practical understanding about growing food and horticulture for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
  • To lead on produce sales for the estate.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Horticulture

  • Assist the Estate Gardens Manager in planning and implementing the horticultural programme to develop the walled gardens into full productive use, including use of the glasshouse for production.
  • Work with the Trust Director and Estate Gardens Manager to develop a 5 year plan for the community garden project including the Cherry Orchard Garden, focusing on areas which have the greatest value to the community and positive impact on partner organisations, potential investors and donors.
  • Work with the Estate Gardens Manager to develop a plan to bring the “Secret Garden” into use.
  • Participate in the Walled Garden category of London in Bloom competition, where a minimum achievement of Silver Gilt is expected.

Volunteer Management

  • Manage and supervise thevolunteer membershipincluding students, trainees and those seeking re-entry to the work place or social / therapeutic benefits.
  • Liaise with Health, Education and other organisations to provide opportunities for placements.
  • Devise, implement, monitor and manage volunteer training in horticulture and associated Risk Management and Health and Safety.
  • Ensure the fulfilment of all Health, Safety, CoSHH, pesticide and other regulations as they affect the operations of the gardens.

Community Programme

  • Contribute to the CHGT Education Programme by devising and assisting with practical school learning sessions on growing food.
  • Contribute to the formation and delivery of CHGT events programme and fundraising including open days and workshops.
  • Support and help run community activity programmes and open days in the Kitchen Garden for children and adults. All such programmes to be effective, rewarding for participants and contribute towards the quality and reputation of community and outreach objectives for Chiswick House and Gardens

Food Production and Produce Sales

  • Plan and oversee the development of produce sales to the public.
  • Work with Chiswick House Café to develop links between food production in the walled gardens/glass houses and the retail outlet.
  • Provide food production to local shops and food markets

Other and Administration

  • Provide reports and statistics on activities for the team and funders and quarterly reports for trustees
  • Assist the Garden Manager with the Kitchen Garden budget to ensure best value
  • Create and procure appropriate educational and garden resources and maintain volunteer equipment to ensure compliance with statutory and other requirements
  • Promote the value of fresh fruit and vegetables and regular exercise in gardening for a healthy lifestyle
  • Assist in the delivery of regional community engagement seminars dissemination of best practice.
  • Maintain the database of kitchen garden contacts

Other

You may be asked to carry out additional tasks as may arise and which may be reasonably accommodated within the post’s salary level. You will be required to act in accordance with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to take reasonable care for the health and safety of any person who may be affected by your acts of omissions at work.

Note

30 hours per week

Evening and weekend work will be required.

Remuneration

The salary for this position will be in the range of £21,000 pro rata

In addition, the post holder will receive 25 days paid annually pro rata , plus a 5% contribution to a personal pension scheme.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of managing volunteers in a garden or park setting open to the public
  • Experience in fruit, vegetable, cut flower and propagation for production
  • Experience of setting out and maintaining an ornamental garden
  • Appropriate professional qualifications e.g. NCH/NDor equivalentin amenity horticulture or a directly related field
  • Awareness of environmental good practice
  • A good knowledge of pest and diseases and treatments relating to vegetables
  • Full clean Driving license
  • PA1 and PA6

Highly desirable

  • Working in a historic garden setting
  • Proven experience of working with vulnerable people
  • Community event management
  • Bee keeping experience
  • Professional memberships

Skills and Ability

Essential

  • Good horticultural skills
  • Ability to work with, motivate and encourage people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities
  • Good presentation and communication skills, verbal and written
  • Proficient in IT
  • Team player as well as self-motivated
  • Creative,inspiring and caring person
  • Be physically fit and prepared to work in all weathers
  • Work flexible hours around seasons and tasks
  • Committed, responsible and highly organised

Highly desirable

  • Interest in historic properties and the ecological environment
  • First Aid training

Deadline for applications – 31st May 9.30am

Date of interview –6th June 2017

Thank you for your interest in Chiswick House and Gardens Trust. As we are a small team, if you have not heard from us by the date of the interview, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

May 2017