Full Time

KEY PURPOSE

Arduaine needs a capable, motivated, and knowledgeable First Gardener to work closely with the Head Gardener and help lead a small, dedicated team of gardeners and volunteers in an exciting period of redevelopment and restoration for this garden and nationally important plant collection.

CONTEXT

Arduaine Garden was established in 1898 by Ethel and James Arthur Campbell and is renowned for its nationally important collection of Rhododendron species, many of which were collected at the beginning of the last century. Arduaine grows a broad range of plants from all around the world including many tender plants which thrive in the garden’s mild climate, influenced by warm Atlantic currents. The garden covers 20 acres, divided into two main areas, a semi formal garden of shrub beds, mixed borders, lawns and ponds and an informal woodland garden.
In 1971 the garden was acquired by nurserymen, Edmund and Harry Wright. The brothers greatly improved the infrastructure of the garden and added to the existing Rhododendron collection before donating the garden to the National Trust for Scotland in 1992.
The garden regularly attracts 15000 visitors a year, though it is temporarily closed to facilitate the completion of the Shelterbelt Restoration project and additional arboricultural work relating to the project.
The Shelterbelt Restoration Project at Arduaine is in its final year and 1000 mature Japanese Larch have been removed after an outbreak of Phytophthora ramorum. The felling stage is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 and site preparation is already underway for the restoration of the garden shelterbelt, after which the garden will be intensively redeveloped and replanted to improve Arduaine’s nationally important collection of Rhododendron’s and diverse botanical collection.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Key Purposes of the job will be met by:
1. Ensuring the conservation and practical maintenance of the garden and policies – whether through delegation to other staff/volunteers, or personal participation – in terms of:
a. Practical horticulture (e.g. including managing trees and shrubs, herbaceous, pond plants and bulbs; turf care; pest/disease/weed control; composting and soil improvement; hard-landscaping and path care; soft landscaping and planting preparation; glasshouse care and plant propagation);
b. Garden Restoration/ Development (e.g planting and establishing newly introduced trees, shrubs and herbaceous; contributing to planning and design of new plantings and hard landscaping; processing of timber with training to use garden sawmill; use of pesticides to control regen for establishment of new plantings; use of chainsaw to process logs, stumps and brash for replanting.
c. Plantsmanship (e.g. the identification, knowledge and understanding of this high calibre plant collection, including recording [using Iris database], and labelling of individual plants and recognized collections);
d. Interpretation (e.g. through the development and delivery of events such as introductory talks, presentations, guided tours or practical demonstrations and workshops, garden trails, digital media and contribution to guide-books or leaflets) to include the impact of various forms of Phytophthora at the property.
2. Ensuring an appropriate management regime of the garden and policies that includes the management of:
a. Staff, Apprentice and volunteers (e.g. assisting in recruitment, induction, direction, development, performance management) such that they are fully equipped, organised and motivated to undertake their duties to the required Trust standards;
b. health, safety and the environment in line with stated Trust policies and approaches to ensure the health and welfare of staff/volunteers;
c. machinery and equipment (e.g. ensuring timely and appropriate repairs, purchases and servicing) and its use (e.g. training, risk assessments and HAVS logs);
d. recognition of the Trust’s Environmental Policy with respect to sustainable gardening activities, including energy, water, peat & pesticide-use;

e. customer service and care from garden staff/volunteers, and in the broader sense of facilities and “visiting experience”, to ensure that the properties’ reputation for excellence is maintained and enhanced;
f. administration to enable gardening activities to be undertaken and recorded efficiently;

KEY PURPOSE

As part of the property team, assist with the conservation and development of the properties and gardens to ensure that Craigievar Castle and Estate are presented at the highest standards to its visitors and guests.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Key Purposes of the job will be met by:
1. Undertaking practical maintenance of the garden (e.g. managing trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants, and bulbsturf care; pest/disease/weed control; composting and soil improvement; hard-landscaping; path care) to the required standards expected by the Trust and for the maximum safety of, and enjoyment by, visitors;
2. As requested, assisting with education/interpretation activities such as introductory talks and guided walks;
3. Fostering positive relationships promote the work of the Trust, and actively seek opportunities to increase Trust membership;
4. On occasion, working with volunteers and/or staff members to ensure they deliver required outputs at the appropriate standard, and gain benefit/satisfaction from their activities;
5. Demonstrating self motivation, organizing, planning, and prioritizing and good time management;
6. Undertaking such other reasonable duties as may from time to time be required to ensure the smooth running of the property as required by the Head Gardener.
7. Ensuring compliance with the Trust’s health, safety, and environment policies and procedures.

The current duties of this job do not require a criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) check to be carried out.

SCOPE OF JOB

People Management
 Not a line manager but will, on occasion, supervise volunteers and staff under instructions from Head Gardener;
 Will work closely with other property colleagues, and will have some interaction with other technical/specialist advisory colleagues based in other locations and departments (e.g. Gardens department);
 Will have regular (daily) interaction with members of the public and guests of all ages and abilities;

Tools/equipment
 May be required to be a user of driven vehicles such as ride-on mowers;
 May be a frequent user of powered tools such as, mowers, strimmers, hedge-cutters;
 Will be a frequent user of hand-tools such as spades, forks, trowels, rakes, hoes, shears, and secateurs.

JOB PURPOSE
To carry out maintenance and repair of upland footpaths and fences to assist delivery of the National Trust for Scotland’s management objectives on Ben Lawers NNR. Keeping the footpath network in good condition to minimise the impact of erosion on the landscape and important plant communities and areas of restored habitats protected from large herbivores.
The role is a physical one, requiring walking to worksites, some at high altitude, with appropriate tools, on a daily basis. Work may be alongside other staff and volunteers but there will be a requirement for lone working.
The role will be ambassadorial, building awareness and support for the National Trust for Scotland leaving those you meet with a desire to respect, protect, and enjoy the special natural environment and an understanding of how they can help to contribute their support to the property.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Upland path maintenance and repair
• Carry out maintenance and repair of upland footpaths as required.
• Lead volunteers as appropriate in safe maintenance and repair of upland paths.
• Assist with the maintenance and repair of other infrastructure associated with paths, such as gates, stiles and signage.
Fencing
• Assist with fence maintenance, repair and upgrade.
Visitor Engagement
• Actively and positively engage with visitors while carrying out practical tasks to raise and improve public awareness of key issues including footpath erosion and landscape protection, habitat restoration, responsible access and promoting the Trust.
Other duties
• Assist with other areas of property work if/when necessary.

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB

People Management
• Day to day responsibility for engagement with visitors.
• Liaison with other property and other Trust staff and volunteers, particularly the Footpath Team.