At a Glance
- Tasks: Help new members grow their own food and create a vibrant community at Newbottle Fields.
- Company: Roots, a welcoming outdoor space for gardening enthusiasts.
- Benefits: Earn £13.45 per hour with opportunities for pay increases as the site grows.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic outdoor environment with flexible hours and a supportive team.
- Why this job: Be the heart of a community, teaching and inspiring others to grow their own food.
- Qualifications: Experience in growing and a passion for helping others succeed.
The predicted salary is between 10700 - 11500 £ per year.
Most people wait years for a council allotment. At Roots they turn up and start growing. You would be the person who makes that happen at Newbottle Fields in Durham.
We think this is the best job at Roots.
You are outdoors for nearly all of it, on a site full of people who are genuinely pleased to be there, and how the place feels is largely down to you.
Some days that is mowing and watering.
Some days it is showing a nervous new member which way up a seed potato goes.
Some days it is talking the yoga teacher, the beekeeper or the person who bakes into putting something on for everyone.
Two days a week, 16 hours, paid at the real Living Wage as a minimum.
That is the Living Wage Foundation rate of £13.45 an hour, not the government minimum of £12.71.
Above that floor your pay rises as the site fills.
The bottom of the range is where a site starts.
The top is what it pays once every patch is taken.
- A week on site
- Teaching people to grow. Most members arrive having never grown anything and quietly expecting to fail, and your job is to make sure they do not
- Getting new members started on their patch, then going back to see how they are getting on
- Running the things that make a growing year feel like one. Sowing days, seed swaps, and working out what to do with a glut of courgettes nobody can eat
- Finding the people locally who would add something to the site. Growers, beekeepers, ecologists, teachers, artists, whoever is nearby and interested
- Looking after our flagship patches and the ones we donate to local schools, so there is always something worth showing someone
- Keeping the site looking loved. Mowing, pruning, watering, edging
- Showing people round who are thinking of joining
- Cleaning the toilets. Somebody has to, and on a good site it is nobody's job and everybody's.
There is some work at a computer, but not much, and we would rather you were outside.
- What we are after
- You grow, and have done for a few seasons. You do not need to be an expert, but you should know what a bad year feels like
- You can teach it without making anyone feel stupid
- You like people. You are the only Roots face most members ever meet, and a site takes its mood from whoever runs it
- You will get stuck in. A mower, a strimmer, and a wheelbarrow with a flat tyre
- A driving licence and a car, because you will be shifting kit and materials
- Close enough to Durham to be on site properly
You do not need horticultural qualifications.
Our Patch Managers have come to us from teaching, nursing, hospitality, photography and running their own small businesses.
What they have in common is that they grow, and people like being around them.
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Patch Manager Newbottle Fields in North East employer: ROOTS Allotments
Roots Allotments is an exceptional employer that fosters a strong sense of community and environmental stewardship in Croydon. With a focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities to develop gardening skills while engaging with like-minded individuals in a supportive work culture. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our members and contribute to the beauty of our allotment sites.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Patch Manager Newbottle Fields in North East
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like ROOTS Allotments.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like ROOTS Allotments.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at ROOTS Allotments; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Patch Manager Newbottle Fields in North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at ROOTS Allotments.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Patch Manager Newbottle Fields.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what ROOTS Allotments is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at ROOTS Allotments a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at ROOTS Allotments
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at ROOTS Allotments might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
