Horticulture and Environment Assistant

JobStart Scheme; Ballycultra; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

An environmental volunteering charity in Northern Ireland seeks a team member to assist with native tree horticulture. The role involves supporting projects, collecting seeds, transplanting seedlings, and managing polytunnels. Ideal candidates should have a willingness to learn about horticulture and undertake outdoor tasks year-round. This position offers up to 25 hours per week, with possible additional hours. Join us to make a difference in environmental conservation!

Responsibilities

• Support local team in environmental projects and lead volunteers.
• Assist in planning and preparation of project materials and tools.
• Collect seeds from native trees and plants.
• Sow seeds, transplant seedlings, and monitor for pests.
• Manage polytunnels and assist staff in delivering projects.
• Promote TCV's profile and recruit volunteers.
• Prepare TCV resources and tools for daily tasks.
• Maintain nursery infrastructure and support construction.
• Assist in delivering environmental education workshops.
• Learn and maintain good health and safety standards.

Skills

Interest in production horticulture

Willingness to support team

Ability to undertake outdoor tasks year-round

Job description

THE EMPLOYER IS: THE CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS - CULTRAEstablished in 1959, the Conservation Volunteers (TCV) are one of UK’s leading environmental volunteering charities, in 2024 we transformed over 1,500 green spaces for the benefit of local communities. TCV Northern Ireland have been growing native trees from seed for over 35 years. For the majority of these years TCV were based at Clandeboye Estate Walled Garden. In 2021 we relocated our nursery to the Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra. Our Native Tree Nursery project is a prime example of how TCV enable local people to reduce their carbon footprint whilst preserving the genetic heritage of native Ulster provenance trees. The TCV Tree Nursery is unique and very special, as it encapsulates all the processes to grow our own indigenous tree stock; seed collecting, processing, stratifying, sowing, lining out and finally planting in their own native forever home. The role is based at our busy Tree Nursery with a focus on production horticulture to grow native tree species from seed. This is an outdoor role with direct participation in the seasonal work related to growing native trees. Examples of work include: tree seed collection, processing and sowing, transplant seedlings, tree planting, construction of raised growing beds, and monitoring for pests and disease.

Responsibilities

• Support the local TCV team in the delivery of practical environmental projects and helping to lead volunteers.
• Assisting in the planning of projects, including helping to prepare materials and tools.
• Helping to collect seeds from native trees and plants.
• Sow seeds, transplant seedlings, weeding, watering and monitoring for pests and disease.
• Management of polytunnels.
• Assist TCV staff to deliver projects and learning events to local communities and schools.
• Helping to promote TCV’s profile and achievement in the local area, raising awareness of TCV’s activities and helping recruiting volunteers.
• Handle bareroot trees with care, helping to prepare bulk tree orders for delivery.
• Undertake responsibility to prepare TCV resources, PPE, tools and materials for daily tasks, stock-take, and cleaning at the end of the day.
• Support the ongoing construction and maintenance of our nursery infrastructure, including polytunnels, water systems, raised growing beds, and access paths.
• Support the Project Leader to prepare and deliver community engagement, environmental education and natural craft workshops when required.
• Learning about and maintaining good standards of health and safety.

Skills and Qualifications

• Have an interest in learning more about supporting production horticulture focused on native tree species and other aspects of heritage horticulture.
• Willing to support our team in the planning, preparation and delivery of horticulture and environmental activities, which supports our tree production process.
• Able and willing to undertake practical outdoor tasks all year round.

Further Information

The Employer is: THE CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS - CULTRAJobStart Opportunity - Working Hours Information-Standard Hours: up to 25 hours per week.-Flexible/Reduced Hours: May be available upon approval by a Work Coach.-Additional Hours: The employer may offer extra hours depending on availability. This should be discussed directly with the employer before starting employment.The job advert may end before the closing date if requested by the employer.

Application Information

JOBSTART IS OPEN TO WORKING AGE BENEFIT CLAIMANTS WHO ARE DEEMED ELIGIBLE BY A WORK COACH. If you are on Universal Credit, please contact your Work Coach via your Journal. If you are in receipt of any other working age benefit, please contact your local Jobs & Benefits Office on 0800 001 5782.