Overall purpose of the post



Blair Castle Grounds man and Relief Caretaker Job DescriptionAtholl Estates is an exceptional destination offering a mix of high quality and authentic visitor experiences that include Blair Castle and a range of outdoor activities, all amid spectacular scenery and a variety of accommodation options, most significantly Blair Castle Caravan Park. Our 2015 Forward Plan illustrates the range of our enterprises and our immediate plans for them.We currently attract 140,000 paying visitors and over 70,000 bed night guests each year.We are looking for a person to join our gardening team to support the maintenance and development of Blair Castle Gardens and Blair Castle Caravan Park. The role will also provide relief caretaking support to Blair Castle.Job Specification:Overall purpose of the postTo assist in the provision of efficient, high quality, skilled maintenance of Blair Castle Gardens and Caravan Park, as directed by the Head Gardener. To maximise visitor enjoyment by maintaining excellent standards of presentation of the historic environment.To ensure that the Garden continues to develop at a lively pace, the post requires a combination of:Dedication to the practice and development of high quality gardening and craft skillsDevelop widely based and broadly experienced plantsmanship, exercised through hands on gardening. Confident and capable to carry out any ground work that may be required during the season.Main responsibilities and dutiesTo undertake and assist as directed by line management in the provision of excellent standards of garden maintenance and presentation at all times generally through: Seasonal maintenance of flower, shrub, kitchen gardens, woodland gardens and parks, with specialised historic and botanic plant collections, including trees, hedges, shrubs, roses, wall trained fruit trees, climbers, herbaceous plants and annuals.Through guidance from line management provide assistance to other garden staff.Non - specialist propagation and plant production and maintenance under glass.General maintenance of all glasshouses, cold frames.Formative, seasonal and rejuvative pruning of deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, climbers and hedges.Use of garden machinery as necessary including mowers, strimmers, tractor and trailers, shredders, scarifiers, snow ploughs and other machinery and hired plant.Machine maintenance.Specialist turf maintenance.The appropriate, timely and safe use of pesticides, as directed.Optimum use of composting systems.Maintenance of paths, gates and other hard landscaping.To take on specific areas of responsibility within the garden, undertaking the practical maintenance of these areas, according to a programme of works set out by the Head Gardener. To develop a broad familiarity with the majority of plants within the garden, and to be completely familiar with those in any areas for which the post holder may be responsible. To develop an understanding of the garden’s history and plant collections.To follow the directives of the management plan and understand and encourage, where possible and appropriate, the diversity of wildlife within the garden to ensure optimum care of the garden’s exceptional wild flora and fauna.Relief Caretaking:The caretaker role provides immediate response to any fire or security issues across any 24 hour period and therefore residence in the immediate vicinity of the castle is a requirement of the role and accommodation will be provided. The role requires duty cover every third weekend which is day cover during the castle’s open season and on-call during the winter close season. It may also require some cover during periods of holiday, sick etc in the castle’s core caretaker team. The role includes:Operational response to castle fire and security systems, working with the Fire Brigade and Police when incidents occur.Opening up and close down duties for castle and grounds.Having a general security presence across the castle and immediate grounds.Operation of castle lighting, heating and ventilation systems and water supply.Preparation and dismantling for castle events.Routine maintenance and equipment testing.General repairs and closed season deep clean.Staff transportation, post and cash runs.Litter collection and cleaning support.Other:To treat members of the public with courtesy and to encourage their interest in the garden.To take on overtime duties as and when required on site for appropriate horticultural and castle operations. To undertake other similar tasks and development horticultural works as required by line management.To work effectively within the garden team of 4 and the wider castle and park teams as necessary.To undertake day to day record keeping and administration, as directed by the Head Gardener.PERSON SPECIFICATIONGardenerESSENTIALDESIRABLETRAINING, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONSNVQ Level 2 in amenity horticulture or equivalent An enthusiasm for gardening, with basic gardening skills and horticultural knowledgeCurrent driving licenseProven practical experience working in amenity horticultureProven experience of the cyclical maintenance of a high quality plantsman’s garden open to the publicNPTC spraying certificates PA1, PA6 KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLSBasic craft gardener skills to undertake seasonal maintenance work of a garden with specialist historic and botanic plant collectionsFamiliarity with the cultivation of a broad range of trees, shrubs, bulbs, glasshouse, annual and herbaceous plants and with their associated craft skillsAbility to use and demonstrate all necessary horticultural craft skills and operate machinery to the highest standardsTo have an understanding of all current health and safety legislationAbility to keep a full and accurate gardens log book of daily workAppreciation and understanding of the importance of the historic environment.Be familiar with the optimum use of composting systemsKnowledge and experience of machine operation and basic machine maintenance Ability to identify and treat appropriately the full range of horticultural pests and diseasesINTERPERSONAL SKILLSAbility to work efficiently, alone and in a team within the horticultural discipline with a considerable degree of independence Willingness to develop a full range of horticultural craft skills and operate machinery to high standardsPro-active – act on own initiativeCapable of undertaking all aspects of horticultural work and the physical challenges of the postAbility to communicate easily and efficiently with staff and the general publicOther RequirementsRegular refresher training will be provided. Full driving licence.Ability to work at heights.This is a description of the job as it is presently constituted and it may be examined at any time by management to ensure that it properly relates to the requirements of the job and to incorporate changes as necessary.? Management reserves the right to change a job description after consultation with the employee concerned, the aim being to agree reasonable changes consistent with the employee’s pay band and status. ................
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