Role: Head Gardener / Business Glasgow & West Built Heritage Region
Reports to: Gardens and Designed Landscapes Manager, Glasgow & West / Pay Band/Starting Salary: Band E Starting £26,969
Location: Crarae Garden / Type of Contract: Permanent/ Full-time
Terms and conditions:
- The post is subject to the standard terms and conditions provided with the application pack
- The following special terms also apply: hours of work = 40 per week on 5 days out of 7 and at times to suit the needs of the job (this may include regular weekend duties on a rota basis.
- Accommodation to rent may be available at the property.
CONTEXT
Crarae Garden is situated on the north side of Loch Fyne some ten miles south-west of Inveraray. The property in total extends to around 50 hectares and is divided into Crarae Garden itself (25 hectares approximately) and the Forest Garden, Waterfall and the ‘hill’ ground of Barr Mor and Droversland.
Lady Campbell, aunt of Reginald Farrer, began the development of Crarae Garden from woodland in 1912, although the land had been owned by the Campbell family since 1825. Her son Sir George was given the estate in 1925 and he lived there until 1967, greatly extending the plant collection. His son, Sir Ilay Campbell, inherited, then generously gave the gardens to the Crarae Garden Charitable Trust in 1978, becoming a Trustee himself. Crarae was gifted to the NTS in 2002 by the Crarae Garden Charitable Trust and following a public appeal which raised £1.5m to secure the future of the garden.
The main garden at Crarae is unique, with a strong ‘sense of place’. Set on a hillside down which tumbles the Crarae Burn, the scene is reminiscent of a Himalayan gorge. The surrounding tree and shrub collections are rich and diverse, planted for artistic and naturalistic effect. The garden contains one of the best collections of the genus Rhododendron in Scotland, unusually rich in cultivars, as well as part of the National Collection of Nothofagus and particularly good representations of Acer, Eucalyptus, Eucryphia and Sorbus. An extensive path network takes visitors to all corners of the garden, criss-crossing the burn via a series of bridges. The Forest Garden consists of a large number of experimental forest plots begun in 1932 and includes critical stocks such as Picea koyamae.
Visitor numbers are currently in the region of 8k pa. There is a visitor centre with scope to develop commercial income.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
To ensure that gardens at Crarae are managed, maintained and developed as an internationally recognised site of horticultural importance, in line with the Trust’s conservation policies, priorities, performance standards and targets to ensure that enjoyment of the property by visitors and members is maximised and that commercial, financial and development objectives are achieved.
The Head Gardener will be expected to help raise the profile of Crarae to generate more visitors; work with the Friends of Crarae to increase fundraising opportunities and develop proposals to “restore” the Forest Garden. In the absence of the Head Gardener at Arduaine Garden, the Head Gardener will help lead the team there and will support appropriate sharing of staff and resources.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
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 ensuring best practice is followed in:
a. Practical horticulture (e.g. including managing trees and shrubs, herbaceous and bog plants, half-hardies and bulbs; pond care; turf care; pest/disease/weed control – in particular Cottony Camellia Scale; composting and soil improvement; hard-landscaping and path care; plant propagation and biosecurity; arboricultural works (preventative and reactive – including urgent works post-storm);
b. Plantsmanship (e.g. the identification, knowledge and understanding of this high calibre plant collection, including recording [using Demeter database], tagging, labeling, assessment and management of individual plants and recognized collections, appropriate acquisition and deaccessioning);
c. Research and development (e.g. research into historical precedents and practical contemporary solutions to inform proposed activities and projects; support to the planning, design and implementation of restoration and/or development projects e.g. the proposed development of the Forest Garden);
d. Interpretation (e.g. through supporting the development and delivery of events such as introductory talks, presentations, guided tours or practical demonstrations and workshops, garden trails, digital media and contribution to guide-books or leaflets. In particular, the Head Gardener may take an active role in promoting the garden and property through digital media);
e. Working with volunteer groups (e.g. planning Conservation Volunteer weekends and Thistle Camp weeks with the appropriate members of staff and group leaders, liaising with individuals and organizations who provide volunteering opportunities within the garden).
2. Ensuring an appropriate management regime of the garden and policies that includes the management of:
a. Staff including volunteers (recruitment, induction, development, performance review and management) such that they are fully equipped, informed and motivated to undertake their duties to the required Trust standards);
b. Budgets (setting, phasing, monitoring, pro-active and re-active adjustments) such that the gardens finances are sustainable within the context of the wider property budgets);
c. Health, safety and the environment in line with stated Trust systems, policies, procedures and approaches support the Gardens and Designed Landscapes Manager to ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff/volunteers; ensuring that legislative and regulatory requirements are met and that the Trust’s Safety Management system is regularly reviewed, updated and implemented. This will include regular recording of path, bridge, step, barrier, seat and structure conditions and tree inspections and taking appropriate remedial action. Also the maintenance of COSHH records, fire procedures, closure in the event of extreme weather or incident, accident, incident and near miss report and investigation;
d. Recognition of the Trust’s Environmental Policy (with respect to sustainable gardening activities, including energy, water, peat & pesticide-use);
e. Daily, weekly, yearly and longer-term operational workplans and reporting in the context of the property’s statements of significance, action plans and other plans (and contribution to those plans) to ensure that activities are prioritized and planned to optimize the use of resources;
f. 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 (e.g. litter collection, opening/closing of the garden and security);
g. Administration to enable gardening activities to be undertaken and recorded efficiently;
h. Machinery and equipment (e.g. ensuring provision of fuel, relevant checks are carried out, timely and appropriate repairs, purchases and servicing, withdrawal from use, cyclical replacement, legal compliance - MOT, display of tax disc- and its use e.g. training, risk assessments and HAVS logs);
3. Participating fully in the property’s wider “management team”, supporting the Gardens and Designed Landscapes Manager and Visitor Centre Manager strategically and practically with the operation of the property. Participate / contribute to the programme of public / private events run within the wider Estate. Managing change at the property to ensure the best use of resources.
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 Line Manager of a team of gardeners which includes: 2 x full time Gardeners (Grade B);
· Will delegate responsibilities as appropriate to ensure the smooth running of the gardens, maximising the strengths of individual staff;
· 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;
· Will assume supervision of (and responsibility for) other staff/volunteers (all departments at Crarae) when designated local “duty manager” by the management team;
· Will assume supervision of (and responsibility for) other staff/volunteers (all departments at Arduaine) when designated local “duty manager” by the management team;
· Will have regular (daily) interaction with members of the public of all ages and abilities;
· Will have frequent interaction with suppliers and contractors (specifying, commissioning, overseeing and evaluating).
Financial
· Has delegated responsibility for the Garden budget;
· Will regularly use computerized finance system for the raising of Purchase Orders for the supply of goods and service; producing finance reports, monitoring and setting of revenue budgets and managing capital project work relating to garden activities;
· Generate income such as, through talks, tours and courses and also through the sale of plants;
· May be a Project Manager.
Tools/equipment
· Will be a frequent user of driven vehicles such tractors (including trailers and other attachments) and garden vehicles (including on-road);
· Will be a frequent user of powered tools such as stump-grinders, winches, 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.
Technical
· Is responsible for the control of pests and diseases;
· Will attend technical update meetings and training;
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
The above outlines the key skills the job holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition, either knowledge of or experience in the following is required:
Essential
· Botanic Garden Diploma/ HND/ HNC in amenity horticulture or related subjects equivalent to NVQ/ SVQ Level 3;
· Must also hold qualifications & experience demonstrating practical horticultural knowledge, e.g. NVQ/ SVQ Level 2 in amenity horticulture or City & Guilds Level 2 or demonstrable equivalent experience;
· Skills in arboricultural techniques, as a minimum basic chain-saw certificates CS30 & CS31;
· PA1 and PA6a spraying certificates;
· Driving Licence, valid for driving within the UK including, if age relevant, Category E entitlement to tow trailers;
· Substantial relevant practical experience in general amenity – and heritage gardening;
· Sound demonstrable plantsmanship, including propagation skills and experience;
· Sound knowledge of basic tool and machinery use and maintenance;
· Sound practical knowledge of Health and Safety processes and procedures and the ability to work effectively within these processes;
· Demonstrable experience of managing a team of staff and/or volunteers;
· Demonstrable experience of being a budget-holder;
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; confident in interacting and dealing with a wide range of people; and able to represent the Trust;
· Specialist knowledge of woody plants, in particular in relation to rhododendrons.
· Good organisational and time-management skills – including the ability to prioritise work where necessary;
· Competency and self-sufficiency in use of IT (email, internet, word-processing, spreadsheets, databases);
· Tractor driving training and certification – including use of trailers (or willingness to train and use).
Desirable
· Experience of working in a garden open to the public;
· An appreciation of Scottish garden history in general;
· Ability to plan, design and execute garden redevelopment projects;
· Experience of tree inspections and advanced CS units;
· Current First Aid certification (or willingness to train and use);
· PA9 certification (or willingness to train and use).
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
As a Band E role, this role would be expected to exhibit the following competencies at Level 2 (see separate document for details of each level):
The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.
Applications
Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Human Resources Department (Applications), The National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF, by mail or by email via , by first post (i.e. 10.00am) on Friday 28th April 2017. Interviews are likely to be held at Crarae during May.