About the Role
Education is a key project aim and the Educational Gardener will provide a wide range of horticultural, educational, training and volunteering opportunities for local people of all ages and backgrounds including: long-term unemployed young people, individuals returning to work, young people in formal education, children & adults with additional support needs and older residents living in social isolation. Your role will promote life-long learning through providing educational aids, activities, displays and teaching both informally and formally through providing structured demonstrations and classes to community and school groups in good horticultural practice including, but not limited to: organic growing, bee keeping, orchard management, recycling, composting, propagation, horticultural maintenance and vegetable / fruit production and developing a commercial client base.
How to Apply
APPLICATIONS: Closing Date 31.01.2022
Interviews will be held week commencing 31st January 2022
Please email CV and covering letter (no more than one page) to: lcdtadmin@lanark.co.uk
If you would like to discuss the role in more detail or have any queries, please contact lcdtadmin@lanark.co.uk / 01555 728 329
Key Role Requirements
Essential Criteria
- Qualified to deliver RHS and/or other formalised horticultural courses.
- Experience of working with the educational sector in environmental fields.
- Experience of working with and supporting a wide range of community groups and individuals with additional support needs.
- Experience of working with volunteers and managing volunteer rotas / work programmes.
- The ability to prioritise work-load and to work on your own initiative
- Experience in horticulture and recycling techniques
Desirable Criteria
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Highly computer literate, specifically Microsoft applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Interest in the importance of public parks for community wellbeing
- Experience of ecological, biodiversity and sustainable activities and practices.
- An interest in beekeeping.
Key Skill Requirements
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Delivery, Resources and Activities
- Oversee the development and delivery of a volunteer engagement and opportunity programme through activities, events and initiatives.
- Manage the community growing space and liaise with the Admin Manager on the management of the learning facilities within the Community Learning Hub.
- Prepare a wide range of training and educational materials for community groups of varying ages and abilities (where appropriate, linked to the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland).
- Deliver an annual programme of accredited Royal Horticultural Society courses and manage creation / supply of relevant course materials.
- Lead or assist as appropriate in the delivery of volunteer/training activity in association with partner organisations including Clydesdale Community Initiatives and Skills Exchange Scotland.
- Assist in the development of community projects including, food growing schemes, gardening projects and school projects.
- Liaise with, and where appropriate work with, other organisations/partners to provide and educate on horticultural activities on a commercial basis.
- Maintain safe outdoor working practices and strict adherence to relevant Health & Safety legislation.
- Prepare and implement a structured programme of courses and demonstrations to classes, clubs etc. to suit service user needs.
- Manage the provision and purchasing of required tools and equipment for the centre & activities.
- Participate in community events held at the Horticultural Centre including guided tours, open days etc.
- Identify opportunities for volunteer development and upskilling.
Promotion and Reporting
- Maintain awareness of industry best practice and key learnings from successful operations at comparable sites.
- Assist the Admin Manager in producing regular communications / marketing materials to ensure the local community are aware of activities and opportunities taking place at Castlebank Horticultural Centre.
- Prepare and deliver presentations (PowerPoint) to the local community, partners and stakeholders.
- Liaise with the Admin Manager to manage dedicated project budgets and financial records.
- Assist the Admin Manager in preparing and circulating feedback and consultation activities with existing user groups and volunteers to continually evaluate activities and their success / room for improvement.
- Assist the Admin Manager in undertaking community consultation initiatives to ensure the centre is fulfilling their needs / requirements and to spot any new opportunities for growth and development.
- Provide full progress reports and financial information for funding reports as required.
- Devise a self-sufficient strategy for the post’s continuation after the 3-year contracted period.
