Gardener

Office of Public Works; Dublin; On-site; EUR 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of Public Works invites applications for the position Craft Gardener at St. Stephen’s Green.

You will join a team maintaining formal and informal garden layouts and plant collections, with duties spanning propagation, plant records, pest control and seasonal displays. The role requires a horticultural qualification and at least 1 year’s craft gardening experience, plus a valid driving licence, and eligibility to work in Ireland.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Horticulture or HETAC Level 7 or equivalent.
• Minimum of 1 year Horticultural experience as a Craft Gardener.
• A full, clean driving licence, category B & W.
• A valid Employment Permit if applicable for non-EEA nationals.

Responsibilities

• Planting, cultivation and maintenance of plants, including plant collections, nursery stock and bedding schemes.
• Prepare plant layouts for beds, shows and exhibitions and maintain plant records.
• Identify and control pests, diseases and weeds; supervise staff as required.
• Plan daily/weekly work programmes and ensure safety and use of PPE.

Skills

Horticulture experience

Plant collections

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor of Science in Horticulture

HETAC Level 7 or equivalent

Job description

The Office of Public Works (OPW) invites applications for the positions of Craft Gardener at St. Stephen’s Green. We are looking for someone dynamic with a flair for both formal and informal garden layouts and plants and working with a team of garden staff on maintaining and developing these gardens and plant collections.

Competition Reference: 2026/077

Essential Eligibility Requirements (at the closingdate)

• Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, Hetac Level 7, or equivalent; *
• Minimum of 1 year Horticultural experience as a Craft Gardener. (post qualification) Experience of working with Plant Collections and designed historic landscapes is desirable;
• A full, clean and current driving licence, minimum category B & W.
• A clear copy of their Employment Permit, if applicable (a non-EEA national, unless exempted, requires an employment permit to work in Ireland).*3

Note: * Irish or Foreign qualification (deemed in a similar field of study) recognised as equivalent to the above qualification on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.

Note:** (1) If your Irish driving licence is restricted to driving cars with an automatic transmission only (denoted by the code 78 appearing on the licence), you are not eligible. (2)From 1 January 2021 if you are resident in Ireland and hold a UK/NI driving licence it is no longer valid to drive on here in Ireland. It is not legal for driving purposes and must therefore be exchanged. It is vital that you have a valid driving licence and that you are legally allowed to drive in Ireland by exchanging a UK/NI licence for an Irish driving licence. Further information available on: www.ndls.ie

Eligible candidates must be:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who has a stamp 41 or a Stamp 5 visa;

1 Please note that a 50 TEU visa, which is a replacement for Stamp 4EUFAM after Brexit, is acceptable as a Stamp 4 equivalent.

To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.

All non-EU/EEA citizens must hold a valid work permit prior to and for the duration of their contract. The work permit must allow you to work full time for the Office of Public Works. It is the responsibility of individual employees to ensure that you have a valid work permit. If at any stage during your contract you cease to hold a valid work permit you must immediately advise the Office of Public Works and your employment will cease with immediate effect

The following list of duties is not exhaustive but indicative of the role of Craft Gardener with the OPW:

• Planting, cultivation and maintenance of plants, including plant collections, nursery plant stock, fruit & vegetable gardens, bedding schemes, climbers, herbaceous borders, trees and shrubberies, with a particular emphasis on both formal and informal styles; Propagation of all plants, including collections, bedding etc.(where appropriate);
• Supervise collection, cleaning, packeting, numbering and listing of seed/vegetative material for distribution;
• Prepare plant layouts for beds, shows and exhibitions;
• Prepare and update records of plant collections in allocated sections, in conjunction with management team (including identification, verification, labelling, documentation);
• Identification and control of pests, diseases and weed;
• Care and maintenance of lawns;
• Arboriculture and tree management works on completion of training;
• Supervise and participate in the carrying out of developmental work in conjunction with the management team;
• Participate in work scheduling and note actions to be taken;
• Plan daily/ weekly work programmes and implementation of project;
• Maintain a record of daily work being carried out and plan both daily and weekly work programmes;
• Prepare lists of plant and material requirements;
• Ensure that work is carried out in an efficient and safe manner, and that personal health and safety of staff, students and members of public is not compromised. Complete all relevant health & safety record keeping including risk assessments, safety methodologies, job safety plans etc.;
• Ensure that personal protective clothing supplied is worn as tasks dictate, STC boots compulsory at all times;
• Use, care and maintenance of tools and equipment;
• Take responsibility for the fabric of sections/gardens including buildings, walks, seats, litter bins etc. and report any damage observed, also note and report any environmental issues of note;
• Opening, clearing and closing of glasshouses, gardens as relevant;
• Monitor and adjustment of climatic controls, boilers, heaters, demineralising plant, including checking of water P.H.;
• Supervision and allocation of work to General Operatives/horticultural assistants etc.;
• Supervision, training and assessment of students/apprentices, keeping of absence records in conjunction with management team;
• Supervision and training of transition year students;
• Supervision of Horticultural Assistants;
• Supervision of contractors;
• Ensure the attendance and good timekeeping of staff and students;
• Arrange and participate in practical skills training and assessment of students;
• Take responsibility for rostered overtime, ensuring cover if unavailable;
• Execution of garden security duties;
• Liaise with the public, disseminate information, answer queries and give guided tours and lectures as requested;
• Attend and successfully achieve the required standard in all training as deemed necessary;
• Attend trade shows, conferences, courses, as deemed necessary;
• Deputising for the Chargehand (Head) Gardener/Foreperson as deemed necessary;
• Carrying out the instructions of the Chargehand (Head) Craft Gardener, Foreperson, Management, etc.;
• Operating equipment and machinery;
• Day to Day management of site;
• Report writing e.g. Accident/Incident;
• Daily Horticultural maintenance and development of the site;
• Giving tours/ lectures as requested;
• Interior plant-scaping;
• Delivering Health & Safety in line with OPW Policy and Safety Statement;
• Upkeep/maintenance/presentation of all site facilities for the staff and public;
• All other duties commensurate with the post.