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Assistant Community Gardener

Employer
Hammersmith United Charities
Location
Hammersmith and Fulham, London (Greater)
Salary
Up to £24,600k (pro rata) depending on experience.
Closing date
27 Jun 2023

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Contract Type
Contract
Hours
Part Time
Function
Gardening Jobs
Sector
Charity & Voluntary, Horticultural Specialist
Seniority
Junior

About Us

Hammersmith United Charities was founded in 1618 and makes grants to community organisations helping local people address complex social issues such as poverty, inequality or mental ill health. We also have two alms houses in Hammersmith, for older members of our community. The gardens at both sites are not only beautiful, but creative spaces where our residents can get involved if they choose to, or simply relax and enjoy. The gardens are based on organic principles. Showcasing plants that attract butterflies, bees and birds, and plants that are stimulating in colour, aroma and texture. In addition, residents can tend to their own hanging baskets, pots and allotments and get involved in various gardening projects and workshops that are run to help and support residents in engaging with the
gardens. Our gardens have won many awards at the London Garden Society competition, which are judged according to Royal Horticultural Society guidelines.


The Role 

This is an exciting opportunity for a hardworking, enthusiastic assistant gardener. Working under the direction of the Community Gardener to ensure the charity’s award-winning communal gardens are cared for and maintained to the highest standards. Utilising your skills, knowledge and experience, to ensure the gardens continue to provide a warm and inviting space for residents and visitors alike throughout the year. To explore and develop
opportunities to involve residents in gardening activities that might also enable them to use the garden to improve their health and wellbeing.  

Hours: 4 days per week/30 hours a week

Appointment Type: Maternity Cover, Fixed term of 9 months

About You

You will need to have previous experience working in practical horticulture or should have completed an industry related qualification. We are looking for someone with imagination and creativity, who has good communication skills, a caring disposition who is empathetic, with an unrelenting capacity to encourage and support our residents. This is a maternity cover position with a fixed term contract of 9 months however this may be extended. It would be an ideal position for an individual with horticultural experience/knowledge who is interested and motivated to work within the charitable sector
of the industry and who has a passion for supporting the community and individuals through gardening and nature-based activities.


Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • To cultivate and maintain the shrubs, climbers and herbaceous plants in beds and borders, weeding, irrigating, staking, dividing, pruning and planting as required.
  • To maintain the lawns as instructed. Mowing, seeding, weeding and edging. Leavingsome areas and continuing to establish long grass areas encouraging wildflowers and enhancing biodiversity across the site.
  • To sweep, weed and tidy paths and maintain free of hazard. This includes all concreted, paved, cobbled, gravelled and asphalted area.
  • Care for trees, irrigating and observing for pest and disease.
  • To assist the Community Gardener in creating new planting designs in containers, beds and borders.
  • To keep the garden sheds and greenhouses neat and tidy.
  • To assist with the running of the greenhouses at both sites, carrying out propagation tasks, watering, feeding and monitoring for pest and disease.

Community Support and Events

  • Assist with the preparation, supervision of and cleaning up after events at the sheltered schemes.
  • Encourage and enable residents to benefit from the health and wellbeing benefits of the garden and carrying out gardening tasks.
  • Assist with the planning and supervision of workshops for residents as well as providing advice and support to the residents of what and how to grow in their garden spaces.
  • Work with Head of Grants and Community to encourage community involvement of the work of Hammersmith United Charities.

Health and Safety

  • To ensure that appropriate PPE is worn as required.
  • Ensure that all equipment is fully serviceable before use.
  • Ensure a personal safe working environment before starting a task.
  • To keep hand tools and small garden machinery in good clean condition.
  • To undertake any ‘winter weather’ work including salting and gritting the paths as well assnow clearance where required.
  • Report any machinery or equipment defects when inspecting to Community Gardener.

Personal Development

  • To seek opportunities to advance in your chosen career and discuss with line managers.

Person Specification
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

  • Recognised qualification in horticulture (NVQ Level 2 desirable).
  • Pa1 & Pa6 spraying certification (desirable).
  • Enthusiasm and passion for gardening.
  • An eagerness to learn and undertake formal and on-the-job training.
  • Good team-working skills.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Ability to work under minimal supervision.
  • Fitness to carry out physically demanding roles of the job
  • The ability to work and communicate well with people at all levels, including residents, contractors, staff and volunteers.
  • Good team-working skills.
  • The ability to work flexibly in line with the demands of the role and to be willing to go that extra mile to ensure the gardens are kept to the highest standard.
  • Experience of working with garden tools, machinery and equipment following Health and Safety guidelines.

This is a physically demanding role, working outside all year round, in all weathers. The role involves carrying out tasks requiring high levels of manual dexterity, as well as physically demanding tasks, such as shovelling, digging, mulching, lifting and carrying.

The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS Check.

We value and respect all the differences that make us who we are, including: age, cultural background, disability and mental health, ethnicity and race, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and social background.

How to Apply
If you have any questions or are unsure about whether this is for you, please feel free to contact India White on 07884 220658 for an informal chat. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

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