Job Title: Garden Maintenance Person

Contract Type: Specific Purpose Contract, based on a 39 hour week Monday to Friday

Department Name: Gardens & Retail

Reporting to: Head Gardener

Based at: The primary base for the position will be in our HQ at Old Connaught Avenue, Bray, Co Wicklow. As part of our strategic growth, we are relocating to Belfield House, Kilpedder, Co. Wicklow within a timeframe of 2 years. This role will immediately operate across both locations in preparation for and in support of this move.

Primary Purpose of this Role: As an integral part of the Garden Team, support the maintenance and development of Festina Lente’s tranquil gardens to their full potential in terms of the green areas being a resourceful support and medium for wellbeing and social inclusion.

Responsibility: 

As part of the gardening team:

Beds Maintenance

• Planning, planting and maintaining all flower beds in the ornamental garden for the spring and summer season,
• Maintaining the raised beds at the entrance,
• Grass cutting, fertilising, spraying of weeds and general lawn care,
• Maintaining and cleaning all paths and edging,
• Supporting volunteers in the guidance of their work,
• Tidying and maintaining allotment plots after the season is over (January).

Shrub/Tree Maintenance

• Hedge cutting and seasonal pruning of the trees.

Seasonal Maintenance

• Assisting in the maintenance of the ponds and pond life,
• Seasonal tasks (bulb planting, dividing and transplanting, selling Christmas trees),
• Operational support for the manure and composting stations,
• As required, preparing plants for sale in the garden shop,
• Preparing the garden for up-and-coming special events and activities and assisting in the hosting of these events where necessary

Equipment Handling

• Operating and safe use of machinery e.g. hedge strimmer, leaf blower, driving a tractor and trailer, lawnmowers etc.
• Handling sprayers in accordance with health and safety guidelines.

Woodland/Sensory Trail

• Maintaining the sensory, woodland trails and meadows.

Garden Projects

• Assisting with garden projects as they contribute to the overall strategic planning of Festina Lente Gardens,

Health & Safety 

• Complying with the Health & Safety requirements of the organisation and legislation.

Training and Development

•  Attending all designated training workshops as it pertains to equipment use and horticulture skills development,
• Active participation in team and staff meetings.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across a team setting,
• Strong intrapersonal skills including self-motivation, flexibility, problem solving and creativity,
• Committed to fostering a culture of social inclusion across diverse teams.
• Enjoys the outdoor environment and be physically able and fit for the strenuous nature of the post.

Education & Experience

• Proven garden maintenance experience, with a solid working knowledge of plants, shrubs and trees,
• Proven experience with garden tools, machinery and vehicles,
• Fluent English,
• Full and clean Irish driving licence.
• Permit to Work in Ireland
• This job description is not exhaustive, and the other duties may be assigned from time to time in accordance with the needs of the service. This job description may be revised to take account of changing circumstances or requirements.

Benefits Include:

Annual Leave: 22 days’ annual leave

Health Plan: HSF Health Plan and EAP [FC1], fully subsided by Festina Lente. Benefit subject to BIK.

Development: Access to professional training and continuous development programmes.

On-site parking