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Job description

The Horticulture Assistant will be a member of the Horticulture Team and support community groups throughout Northern Ireland to create new community gardens and maintain existing gardens. Working with the Horticulture Lead and with the support of volunteer gardeners, they will help to maintain GWNI’s four community gardens based in East, West, North and South Belfast. They will support colleagues to develop new initiatives involving horticulture and deliver training to groups. Undertake any other work appropriate with the evolving objectives of the post and as may reasonably be requested by the Management Team. In accordance with national provisions for the protection of children and adults at risk, applicants for jobs will be required to undergo Access NI checks with the Police Service for Northern Ireland..

Responsibilities

• Sow seeds, transplant seedlings, weeding, watering and monitoring for pests and disease.
• Assist the Horticulture Leads to ensure the gardens and polytunnels are cleaned and organised, stocked with supplies, and working efficiently.
• Assist the Horticulture Leads to deliver projects within the local communities.
• Assist the Horticulture Leads to build capacity by engaging and mentoring community groups.
• Attend training sessions to learn about horticulture and community gardening.
• Developing & delivery of community programmes/sessions.
• Basic project management.
• Successional planting.
• Best practice/best organic practices.
• Supporting volunteers.
• Planting.
• Propagating.
• General garden health and safety.
• Basic IT/administration i.e., use of Outlook, document preparation file management.
• Ensure adherence to all GWNI policies and procedures.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• The Horticulture Assistant will have an outgoing, professional manner, and will work well to deadlines.
• A facility to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions is highly desirable. Have a commitment to self-development and have a strong personal commitment to the aims and objectives of Groundwork Northern Ireland.
• Basic IT/administration skills i.e., use of Outlook, document preparation, file management.
• Ability to plan and manage workload effectively.
• Willingness to undertake regular travel and to work out of office hours where necessary.

Desirable Skills

• Basic project management.
• Site management skills.
• Supporting volunteers.
• An interest in the environment.
• A full driving licence that enables the holder to drive in Northern Ireland and access to a car for official business (or access to a form of transport which will enable the applicant to meet the requirements of the post in full).

Further Information

The Employer is: GROUNDWORK NORTHERN IRELAND. Although this is a part-time temporary opportunity, hours may be extended and it could lead to a permanent position. The job advert may end before the closing date if requested by the employer. Salary: 16-17 £6.40, 18-20 £8.60, 21 plus £11.44 per hour.

Application Information

JOBSTART IS OPEN TO 16-24 YEAR OLDS. If you are on UC contact your Work Coach via your Journal. If you are in receipt of JSA, IS or ESA phone a Work Coach on 0300 200 7807. If you are 16-24 years old, unemployed, not in education or training and not in receipt of benefits phone 028 90726788.