At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead gardening sessions, support volunteers, and ensure a beautiful garden experience for visitors.
- Company: Amisfield's unique eight-acre walled garden in East Lothian.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, rolling annual contract, and the chance to work outdoors.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on wellbeing while working in a stunning garden environment.
- Qualifications: Strong gardening skills and excellent communication abilities required.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow volunteering capacity and develop your horticultural knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
37.5 hours per week: Wed–Sat (or some variant thereof) April–Sept and Mon–Fri Oct–March. Address: Amisfield’s eight-acre walled garden just outside Haddington – Amisfield.org.uk - in East Lothian is unique in being a visitor attraction, a volunteer project and a therapeutic gardening resource. We are seeking an Assistant Garden Manager to help ensure that Amisfield is a well-maintained, safe, secure, and beautiful year-round space which enhances the wellbeing of visitors and volunteers.
Whilst formal horticultural training is NOT essential for the position, you must be able to demonstrate understanding of:
- Plant propagation
- Composting
- Soil management and organic weed control
- Fruit and vegetable growing
- Basic pruning technique
Most importantly, you will have excellent communication skills, and experience working with a range of people, either in a professional or previous volunteering capacity. As the garden is open seven days a week from April to September, you will be working a five-day shift pattern, working with the Garden Manager to ensure at least one of you is in the garden each day, including weekends, during those months. You will manage your working hours in a flexible, responsible way, to meet the seasonality of the demands on your time – you are likely to work more hours during the growing season with time off in lieu during the winter months. You will report to the Garden Manager.
We’re looking for someone who thrives in both collaborative and independent work settings – there are days when you will be working alone; with wide knowledge of plants and horticultural principles; and confident in dealing with a diverse range of people of all ages and abilities, and with volunteers. You need good organisational skills to help the Garden Manager plan, coordinate and deliver a range of activities. You will have experience of working with volunteers, some of whom are vulnerable, and will be able to develop and grow our volunteering capacity and opportunities. The post will be on a rolling annual contract. The intention is to offer continuity of employment subject to satisfactory performance and the Trust’s financial position. A job share might be considered, but is not the preferred option.
Key Responsibilities
- Volunteer and Visitor Support: Lead practical gardening sessions, provide guidance for volunteers, and ensure a high-quality experience for visitors.
- Day-to-day Management: Take full responsibility for opening and closing the garden, public safety, volunteer supervision, and garden security during solo shifts.
- Assist the Garden Manager in planning, coordinating and delivering volunteer sessions.
- Overlap with the Garden Manager for one day a week to conduct handovers.
Requirements
- RHS Level 2 or strong practical gardening skills gained through extensive personal experience, in a nursery, garden centre, estate or large garden.
- Patience and communication skills for volunteers of varying abilities.
- Reliability and confidence to manage a large public garden independently.
- IT literacy and familiarity with social media.
- Current First Aid qualification or a commitment to obtain one immediately.
- PVG clearance.
How to apply
Please send a CV and accompanying letter (maximum 2 sides of A4) outlining how you meet the job requirements.
Assistant Garden Manager in London employer: Trellis Scotland
Contact Detail:
Trellis Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Garden Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the garden! Before your interview, take a stroll around Amisfield’s walled garden. Familiarise yourself with the layout, the plants, and the vibe. This will not only impress the Garden Manager but also help you speak confidently about how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your people skills! Since you'll be working with volunteers and visitors, think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully communicated or led a group. We want to see that you can connect with a diverse range of people.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about your gardening knowledge! Brush up on plant propagation, composting, and organic weed control. Even if you don’t have formal training, showing that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about these topics will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Amisfield. Don’t forget to highlight your flexibility and organisational skills in your application!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Garden Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gardening: When writing your application, let your love for gardening shine through! Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your skills in plant propagation, composting, and organic gardening. We want to see your enthusiasm for creating a beautiful space!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to match the job description. Highlight your relevant experience with volunteers and your ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups. This will help us see how you fit into our team at Amisfield.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to understand your qualifications and experiences without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your materials and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and ready to engage with our online community.
How to prepare for a job interview at Trellis Scotland
✨Know Your Plants
Brush up on your knowledge of plant propagation, composting, and organic weed control. Be ready to discuss your practical experience with fruit and vegetable growing, as well as basic pruning techniques. This will show that you understand the core responsibilities of the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be working with a diverse range of people, including volunteers, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led sessions or guided others in gardening tasks.
✨Flexibility is Key
The job requires a flexible approach to working hours, especially during the growing season. Be prepared to discuss how you manage your time effectively and adapt to changing demands, ensuring that you can meet the needs of the garden throughout the year.
✨Highlight Your Volunteer Experience
If you've worked with volunteers before, share specific examples of how you've supported and developed their skills. This will demonstrate your ability to enhance the volunteering capacity at Amisfield and ensure a positive experience for everyone involved.