Senior Gardener

GLASTONBURY ABBEY; Glastonbury; On-site; GBP 35,955,000 - 38,435,000; Part time

Job summary

Glastonbury Abbey is seeking a Senior Gardener to care for 40 acres of parkland, manage seasonal displays, and supervise garden areas including herb and kitchen gardens. You will work with the Grounds Manager on planting plans, biodiversity initiatives, and safety compliance while supporting volunteers and maintaining high standards.

The role requires experience in grounds maintenance, budgeting, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Essential: education and qualifications as listed.
• Desirable: gardening and grounds management qualifications.
• Essential: experience in garden management and volunteer management.

Responsibilities

• Carry out regimes to keep grounds in good order.
• Plan with Grounds Manager for training and development.
• Execute daily/weekly/monthly/annual work cycles as directed.
• Provide holiday cover for Grounds Manager.
• Care for gardens and biodiversity initiatives.
• Maintain hedges, shrubs and lawns; manage planting and displays.
• Assist with maintenance of fencing and pathways; minor repairs as needed.

Skills

Clear communicator

Well organised

Interpersonal skills

Volunteer management

Record keeping

Customer care

Problem solving

Education

GCSEs or equivalent

Horticulture qualification

Grounds management qualification

Job description

Senior Gardener

Salary: £13.46 per hour Contract: Permanent Hours: 30 hours per week Reports to: Grounds Manager

Principal working relationships: Grounds Manager, Head of Estates, Grounds team, Facilties Team, Commercial Activity team, Engagement team.

Purpose of the Post

The purpose of the post is to assist in the care and maintenance of Glastonbury Abbey’s 40 acres of parkland. In addition, to be responsible for the maintenance, planting, planning and ongoing care of the abbey’s principal garden areas to include: seasonal displays in the Abbey Yard, the Herb/Kitchen Gardens and Abbey House Gardens.

This job description sets out the principal accountabilities of the post. It does not include every task necessary to fulfil the purpose of the post.

Generic Responsibilities

• Adhere to the principles of Glastonbury Abbey’s vision and values at all times
• Maintain employee and organisational confidentiality in line with the General Data Protection Regulations
• Comply with all legislative requirements as well as all company policies, procedures and processes.
• Ensure compliance with Data protection rules and liaise with GDPR working team as required, maintaining policies and procedures as necessary.
• Observe equal opportunities, with respect to both visitors and members of staff. Treat everyone with respect and tolerance, regardless of faith, nationality, gender and sexual orientation and disability.
• Observe all Health and Safety at Work procedures as set out by Glastonbury Abbey. Be responsible for your own personal health and safety and that of others, including visitors.
• Observe all other policies and procedures set out by Glastonbury Abbey.

Key Tasks and Accountabilities

General Duties

• Work with the Grounds Manager to carry out the regimes needed to keep all the grounds in good order
• Liaise with the Grounds Manager regularly for planning, training and development as needed
• Carry out the daily, weekly, monthly and annual work cycles as directed by the Grounds Manager
• Provide holiday cover and deputise as necessary in the absence of the Grounds Manager

Landscape Management

• Work with the Grounds Manager to agree proposals for the care and management of the grounds and gardens for the best visual effects and implementation as agreed.
• Care for the grounds around the abbey ruins, maintaining weed free surfaces as necessary
• Implement and manage site biodiversity program
• Keep grassed areas in good condition and maintain the other areas to best effect
• Carry out hard landscaping as directed
• Work with the Grounds Manager to agree future planting of shrubs and plants and implement as agreed
• Ensure hedges, shrubs and garden areas are maintained to best effect
• Work with the Facilities Team to ensure cleanliness of all areas and provide holiday cover as needed

Plant Procurement and Propagation

• Plan seasonal bedding schemes and order plants and seeds as necessary to agreed budgets
• Plant and maintain seasonal displays in the planters at Abbey House, the Abbey Yard and other agreed areas
• Planting out, watering, feeding and maintaining new plantings in borders as needed
• Manage propagation to provide the needs of the grounds and plant sales as required.

Maintenance Works

• Assist with maintenance and repairs to fencing and pathways as necessary
• Assist with minor repairs to any areas damaged by vandalism being mindful of Listed status restrictions and Scheduled Monuments Consent as directed by the Grounds Manager

Health & Safety

• Ensure proper and secure storage of chemicals, equipment and machinery, complying with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations
• Ensure all Personal Protective Equipment is used as required
• Carry out safety checks on all machinery, keeping good records and taking action when necessary for safe and proper functioning
• Plan work in the grounds to ensure visitor safety and fit in with other activities planned in the grounds
• Be responsible for your own personal health and safety and that of others, including visitors
• Keep up to date on all training and qualification certificates for , hazardous chemicals and other H&S matters as required
• Observe and comply with risk / task assessments on all machinery and Volunteer activities
• Be mindful of access for all visitors widely across the grounds displaying notices where there are hazards
• Act as a qualified Emergency First Aider under the Health and Safety policy
• Observe equal opportunities, with respect to both visitors and members of staff.

Working with Volunteers and Work Placements

• Assist in the management of volunteer cohorts and work placements within the department.
• Ensuring safe working practices are followed at all times.
• The correct PPE is used as required.
• Ensure regular face to face meetings are held to discuss welfare and other issues.
• Twice yearly meetings are held with all volunteers within the department
• All work hours are recorded and passed on as required.
• Final assessments are passed on to the relevant college.

Person Specification

• Essential: Education & Qualifications
• Desirable: Minimum 5 GCsE's or equivalent Qualification in Horticulture.
• Desirable: Grounds Management qualification
• Essential: Experience
• Desirable: Experience as a Gardener: Experience of being responsible for Gardens management Experience of managing Volunteers Managing budgets and procurement Extensive knowledge of regional plant life Experience in Biodiversity management
• Desirable: Familiarity with landscaping design Operating grounds maintenance equipment (full training can be provided)
• Essential: Knowledge
• Desirable: Manage Health and Safety and work Change management within all legislations including COSHH / risk /task assessments IT operating systems
• Desirable: Knowledge of synthetic and natural fertilisers First aid training
• Essential: Skills & Abilities A clear communicator with strong
• Desirable: interpersonal and advocacy skills Well organised and methodical, able The ability to remain on to prioritise a changing workload Able to assess a situation quickly and think on your feet Identify solutions to complex problems Accurate record keeping Comfortable and used to working in Experience of customer a fast-paced environment Able to enthuse and motivate members of the public
• Desirable: Knowledge of local pests and how to eliminate them your feet for long periods of time A love of the outdoors and plant life Managing maintenance regimes and staff rotas care and dealing with
• Essential: Other
• Desirable: Commitment to equal opportunities Proactive approach Commitment to customer care A confident and professional representative for Glastonbury Abbey Commitment to promote the Abbey's charitable objectives Positive approach to change
• Desirable: to working with and managing volunteers within the department. Driving licence

All Glastonbury Abbey staff are required to:

Observe equal opportunities, with respect to both visitors and members of staff. Treat everyone equally with respect and tolerance.

Observe all Health and Safety at Work procedures as set out by Glastonbury Abbey. Be responsible for your own personal health and safety and that of others, including visitors.

Observe all other policies and procedures as set out by Glastonbury Abbey.

GLASTONBURY ABBEY

Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 06873912 Registered charity number 1129263

Registered Address Abbey Gatehouse Magdalene Street Glastonbury Somerset BA6 9EL

Telephone +44
(0)1458 832267