Jobs

KEY PURPOSE

Under the direction of the Head Gardener and as part of the property team, assist with the conservation and development of the gardens and designed landscape to ensure that the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum (RBBM) is presented at the highest standards to its visitors and guests.

PROPERTY CONTEXT
RBBM and its related properties include Burns Cottage, its surrounding gardens; a neighbouring remnant of the Burnes family smallholding; an Education Pavilion; a strip of parkland linking the Cottage site with the main Museum site; the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and gardens; the Burns Monument Gardens, containing the Burns Monument, a statue-house; the Brig o’ Doon, including a small area of riverside garden; Auld Kirk Alloway and its Kirkyard (separately maintained by the Local Authority) and two car parks. In addition, the property includes the Bachelors’ Club at Tarbolton and Souter Johnnie’s Cottage at Kirkoswald that may require occasional additional gardens maintenance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Key Purposes of the job will be met by:
1. Under the supervision and direction of the Head Gardener undertaking practical maintenance of the garden (e.g. managing trees and shrubs, fruit and vegetable cultivation, care and production, herbaceous plants, and bulbs; turf care; pest/disease/weed control; composting and soil improvement; hard-landscaping; path care; use of lawn mowers, strimmers, hedge cutters etc to the required standards expected by the Trust and for the maximum safety of, and enjoyment by, visitors.
2. Assisting with the management, conservation and development of the garden by using working methods that measurably improve the sustainability of our garden operations, reducing our negative environmental impact.
3. 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 Property Manager/Head Gardener.
4. Ensuring compliance with the Trust’s health, safety, and environment policies and procedures.
5. The post holder will be given training and supervision for the range of tasks to be undertaken in the garden.

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
 Will work closely with other property colleagues
 Will have regular (daily) interaction with members of the public and guests of all ages and abilities;

Finance Management
 Not a budget-holder.

Tools/equipment
 Will be an occasional user of powered tools such as mowers and strimmers;
 Will be a frequent user of hand-tools such as spades, forks, trowels, rakes, hoes, shears, and secateurs.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

The above outlines the key skills the post-holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition, either knowledge of or experience in the following is required:

Essential
 Enthusiasm and aptitude for sustainable, naturalistic gardening and a willingness to learn;
 Some previous experience of garden maintenance and development in professional or amateur contexts;
 An awareness of health and safety processes as they relate to garden management and a willingness to work within existing health and safety procedures;
 Enthusiasm and ability to engage with visitors and members of the public;
 Eye for detail and finish.

Desirable
 Experience in the use of basic garden tools, equipment and machinery;
 Experience of working in a garden open to the public;
 Current driving licence valid for driving in the UK.

The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.

Application Deadline: Sunday 21/05/2023