Assistant Grower

Purpose:

Are you passionate about horticulture?

Do you enjoy working in the great outdoors?

You will work with the Head Grower to deliver sustainably grown fruit and vegetable to be used within our communities whilst enabling our Green Care opportunities to thrive. This includes assisting in the effective delivery of annual crop plans to deliver field-scale horticulture and polytunnel cultivation at our site in Botton.

Location:

Botton Village (Danby, North Yorkshire)

Botton predominantly comprises extensive acreage of productive farmland intertwined with sizable expanses of woodland. An environmentally conscious site, Botton has proudly held organic certification since 1955, a testament to its steadfast commitment a to organic farming practices. The farmland itself is a mosaic of improved pasture and lower-quality agricultural moorland edge land.

Duties & Responsibilities

As the Assistant Grower at Botton you will:

• Participate in all aspects of commercial growing, to include:
  • Setting plant growing activities to plan for growing activities that are consistent with planned production schedules.
  • Prepare space required for planned production.
  • Work to organic growing standards.
  • Monitor growing conditions.
  • Inspect and maintain crop conditions in line with quality standards.
  • Uphold and implement pest, disease and weed control practices commensurate with hygiene, health and Organic standards.
  • Maintain records of growing techniques and production to be used for review to identify trends and to forecast future space needs.
• Operate and use machinery including tractors, mowers, brush cutters and alike horticultural machinery.
• Ensure production and sales records are kept ensuring the value of produce is logged and there is accountability of stock in line with financial processes.
• To work under the direction of the Head Grower in the supervision of those we support and others using the day service, apprentices, and volunteers, to achieve agreed daily tasks. This may involve the instruction of new skills and the intervention and resolution of issues between clients and the reporting of any incidents.
• Undertake machinery maintenance and keep all machinery, equipment and premises clean and tidy.
• Lead and supervise volunteers in the practical delivery of agreed work programmes.
• To ensure all health & safety, COSHH and other legislative and regulatory stipulations and conditions are complied with, including all site risk assessments, safe working practices and staff training.
• Provide practical assistance to other Trust departments, as required.
• To be involved with and take pride in the wider estate management and visual appearance.
• Ensure safe operation, maintenance and cleaning of equipment, machinery, and vehicles. Carry out essential maintenance work, equipment checks, including daily and routine maintenance and duties as trained to do so.
• To drive and be responsible for a company vehicle when required and in accordance with health and safety and fleet policy and driver's handbook, including conducting daily vehicle checks.
• To always follow the Camphill Village Trust health and safety policies and procedures.

Person Specification:

Knowledge & Experience

• You will have proven practical experience in an organic garden.

• Experience of working in organic no-dig system is desirable.
• You will have plant identification skills with a demonstrable passion for nature, heritage and the outdoors.
• You will have great attention to detail and be able to manage your workload with minimal supervision.
• You have a demonstrable passion for nature, heritage and the outdoors.

Key Competencies:

• You react sensitively to other people and recognise different viewpoints, beliefs, values and opinions.
• You are creative and willing to learn new skills.
• You treat people with respect, dignity, honesty and equality.
• You have a positive and driven attitude for success.
• You have excellent interpersonal skills and are able to foster team spirit and empowerment of staff.

• You will have great attention to detail and be able to manage your workload with minimal supervision.
• This is a practical hands-on role where you will need to be comfortable working on-site outdoors within all weather conditions.

Qualifications

• A formal qualification in Horticulture or related subject is desirable.
• Qualifications in bush cutter operation are desirable.
• A certificate of competence or higher for tractor operation is desirable.
• A full driving licence with trailer (BE) would be an advantage.

As a national charity and not-for-profit organisation, Camphill Village Trust brings over 65 years of experience, knowledge, and passion to supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges, and complex needs.

Phone: 03301 221340
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