Gardener

Job Purpose: To maintain and develop the historic ornamental grounds and gardens to the highest horticultural standards and contribute to the overall improvement in the quality of Lydiard Park.

Key Accountabilities:

1. To maintain the walled flower garden, courtyard garden and ornamental home circuit to the highest horticultural standards, working closely with the Lydiard Management Team.

1. To secure the continuing restoration of Lydiard Park gardens in accordance with the Council’s objectives, policies and agreed management plan. Contribute towards the periodic review of these policies and plans.

1. To work with the Lydiard Manager to implement the Commercialisation Plan for Lydiard House and Park, and to support the wider team in driving commercial opportunities.

1. To work with the Lydiard Education and Outreach Officer to devise, implement, monitor and manage programs of horticultural training, specific to Lydiard Park, for garden staff, apprenticeships, students, trainees and larger groups of volunteers of all abilities. Such programs to be effective, rewarding for participants, and contribute towards the quality, reputation, community and outreach objectives for the park.

1. To prepare, operate and monitor weekly, monthly and annual programs of work and costs for the garden team to include the maintenance and development of historic plant collections.

1. To supervise, monitor and direct garden staff, apprentices and volunteers, together with specialist external contractors and Council services, to ensure that work is carried out to the highest appropriate standards.

1. To provide reports to the Lydiard Manager as required.

1. To liaise and work closely with all members of the Lydiard Park and Culture Swindon

teams, St. Mary’s Church and other stakeholders.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Demonstrable skills, capabilities and interest in the restoration and management of an historic site with direct experience of the same, including historic gardens, plant collections and hardy plant propagation.
• NPTC certificates of technical competence with equipment and pesticides
• Experience of formal technical training
• Extensive experience in historic gardens open to the public
• Experience in planning garden development, preferably at historically and publicly sensitive sites
• Educated to HND standard or equivalent in Horticulture Management or a directly related field.
• Ability to supervise and monitor staff
• Experience of overseeing NVQ1-3 horticulture or equivalent
• Budget management experience and experience of developing commercial opportunities in gardens open to the public
• Experience of developing interpretation, education and events programmes