Apprenticeship in Horticulture

Overview

Apprenticeship in Horticulture at Ards and North Down Borough Council

Location: Throughout the Borough. Reports to: Head Gardener. Directorate: Community and Wellbeing. Department: Parks and Cemeteries. Salary: Scale 2 to 3 (SCP 4 – 7) £25,185 – £26,403 per annum. Car User Status: Casual.

Note: The postholder may be required to work outside normal hours, including weekends and public holidays. The postholder will be based initially at Bangor Walled Garden and may be moved to an alternative location as training and operational requirements dictate. Pay progression to Scale 3 occurs on completion of NVQ Level 3 in Horticulture.

Purpose and Function of the Post

Working as a member of the Horticulture team, this apprentice position is intended for someone motivated to pursue a career as a professional horticulturist and contribute to the maintenance and development of facilities managed by the Parks & Cemeteries Service. The post holder will undertake a four-year apprenticeship scheme, attending formal college and receiving workplace tuition.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop horticultural skills and knowledge, undertake ongoing work-based informal skills assessments including plant identification and keeping a work diary.
• Participate in training through day release leading to the successful achievement of qualifications in Horticulture, involving formal taught courses and assessments.
• Assist with the maintenance and upkeep of Council Parks and other open space areas, including all labour associated with horticultural and grounds operations.
• Rotate around the different areas of the Service under the guidance of experienced horticulturists to gain practical experience with each of the Parks Teams in locations throughout the Borough.
• Apply pesticides in line with good operational practice when the PA1 & PA6 qualification has been acquired.
• Operate a wide range of powered hand tools and pedestrian powered machinery including grass cutting, hedge cutting and pruning works.
• Carry out labour associated with soil cultivation, site preparations, construction, planting, and maintenance; assist in designing planting schemes when necessary.
• Assist with sport pitch maintenance works including marking, spiking, scarifying, topdressing, fertilising, turf laying, seed sowing, sweeping, sanding and erection and dismantling of posts within facilities.
• Assist with fine turf works to maintain high standards across Council-owned fine turf locations (e.g., golf greens, bowling greens, cricket grounds).
• Maintain tools and machinery in satisfactory condition, including light maintenance such as fitting spark plugs, blades, and equipment cleaning.
• Assist with community park events and work with the public in daily duties.
• Support the operation and implementation of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and contribute to its targets.
• Comply with and promote equality, health and safety in accordance with Council policies and legal requirements.
• Any other appropriate duties identified by Parks and Cemeteries Service management to achieve the post’s purpose and function.

Note: The postholder may be required to move location across the Borough as training and operational requirements dictate.

Person Specification

The person specification provides information on the qualifications, experience, knowledge, and skills required to carry out the duties of the post. Essential criteria will be used for shortlisting and as part of the selection process.

Essential Qualifications

• 2 GCSEs including at least grade C in English and Maths (or equivalent).

Experience

• Minimum of 40 hours work or volunteering experience in environmental, gardening or horticulture.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of horticulture; awareness of good health and safety practice.
• Ability to demonstrate, with personal examples, an interest in horticultural and grounds maintenance within a parks/open spaces environment.
• Basic understanding of environmental issues.

Key Skills & Abilities

• Good teamwork.
• Good communication skills.
• Understanding and appreciation of public needs.

Other Requirements

• Agreement to complete Essential Skills in Numeracy and Literacy if stated qualifications are not held.
• Agreement to work towards NVQ Level 3 in Horticulture.
• Agreement to work towards PA1 & PA6 pesticides spraying certificate.
• Agreement to work towards a driving licence.
• Agreement to Council Learning, Training and Development Policy.
• Prepared to work outside normal hours, including weekends and public holidays.
• Appointment may be subject to completion of a medical questionnaire including pre-employment drugs and alcohol screening.

Other Notes

The selection panel reserves the right to enhance shortlisting criteria to facilitate the process when necessary.