Walled Garden Manager

Walled Garden Manager

Directorate: Initially Community and Wellbeing, however, may be required to work in any Directorate of the Council

Department: Initially Parks and Cemeteries, however, may be required to work in any Council Department

Location: Bangor Walled Garden

Reports to: Assistant Area Manager

Salary Scale: SO2, SCP 27,-,29

Car User Status: Casual

PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF THE POST

To manage the horticultural employees and volunteers in the ongoing maintenance of the Walled Garden and City Hall grounds and develop horticulture initiatives across the Borough as required.

Ensure a customer focused approach by engaging with key stakeholders to identify and implement environmental and commercial measures and sustainable project solutions.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manage the ongoing maintenance of the Walled Garden and City Hall grounds from an ornamental, amenity horticultural and historical perspective and to ensure the highest standards of presentation, maintenance and horticultural practice and to develop the garden and any other areas throughout the Borough in both conservation and restoration.
2. Manage and participate in all aspects of horticultural maintenance and design of soft and hard landscaping within the Walled Garden, City Hall and other locations throughout the Borough. This includes to manage the use of external contractors as and when required.
3. Assist in the production of annual budgets, procurement of materials, plants and equipment as required and in accordance with Councils Procurement Policy, including preparing specifications.
4. Maintain horticultural records and botanical labelling in an accurate and up to date manner.
5. Assist in identifying and pursuing internal and external sources of funding, ensuring compliance with financial requirements, to assist with the development and delivery of the service.
6. Investigate, implement solutions and report as required on management and maintenance of horticultural areas and on any circumstances that may impact on the highest levels of horticultural practice and to maintain and conserve wildlife habitats within the parks and open spaces portfolio, and enhance the future creation and management of same.
7. Monitor the hard landscape, structures and buildings and report defects in same.
8. Act as a key holder within areas of responsibility and ensure effective management of the same
9. Manage the use of volunteers in the Walled Garden to assist in the maintenance and event support as appropriate.
10. Manage, plan and deliver events, activities and programmes within the garden and provide education, interpretation and promotion of horticulture to service stakeholders and assist in the development of Parks education potential.
11. Support the operation and implementation of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and develop opportunities for contributions to LBAP targets.
12. Co-operate with the Councils Grounds Maintenance Teams for the efficient provision and allocation of equipment, tools and materials to ensure delivery of the annual works programme and other required works.
13. Ensure that all plant, machinery, tools and equipment are correctly cleaned and maintained to ensure they operate to their maximum efficiency and safety levels.
14. Undertake and maintain inspection records, employee records including timesheets, work completed sheets, inventories and the receipt of sickness certificates including the checking, coding and approval of timesheets on a weekly basis. Participating in recruitment and selection interviews for staff and monitor employee absence and attendance records, conducting back to work interviews, absence review meetings in accordance with the Council absence policy when applicable.
15. To manage, train and undertake and identify employee development within the walled garden workforce particularly in traditional methods of horticultural practice.
16. To comply with and promote equality, health and safety in accordance with Council Policies and legal requirement. Carry out practical risk assessments and reduce / eliminate risk as appropriate. Ensure compliance with legislation and best practice including chemical use etc.
17. Provide cover for the other Officers within the Service Area as necessary and liaise with others to identify and develop opportunities for partnership working to deliver a more efficient and effective service.
18. To undertake any other appropriate duties as may be allocated from time to time in accordance with the general nature of the post.

Note: The post holder may be expected to work outside hours at weekends, evenings and public holidays as dictated by the needs of the service