Senior Gardener

Community Gardener

St John’s Churchyard / The Bridge At Waterloo

St John’s Churchyard, Waterloo Road, SE1 8TY is a remarkable, award winning (Green Flag and Silver in London in Bloom) urban garden in the centre of London. It is maintained by St John’s Church and its sister-charity The Bridge At Waterloo. It has exceptional potential as an urban community garden while retaining its reputation for interesting planting. We are seeking a Community Gardener to help us make our vision a reality.

The Bridge at Waterloo (TBAW) is a secular social enterprise founded by St John's Waterloo (SJW) to reduce inequality and unemployment – through creative therapies, employment training and practical emotional support – for marginalised groups in Lambeth and South London.

What are we looking for? For this role, we are seeking someone responsible for:

·       Maintaining and creatively developing this beautiful and historic churchyard garden.

·       Taking responsibility for agreed operational planning within the garden.

·       Establishing and extending volunteer involvement in its upkeep.

·       Liaising with other community and voluntary groups within the local area, identifying partnership opportunities where appropriate.

·       Ensuring the maintenance of good standards of horticultural practice.

·       Promoting sustainability and increasing ecological diversity.

·       Ensuring that the garden is tidy and litter free on work days.

·       Assisting with the recruitment, co-ordination, support and supervision of our existing garden volunteers, some of whom have special needs.

·       Identifying the relevant educational needs of our volunteers and finding accredited training if appropriate.

·       Ensuring all relevant health and safety standards are met. Conducting and reviewing risk assessments as required.

·       Making the Churchyard an accessible and practical resource for TBAW’s wider work in the community, liaising with TBAW’s Outreach and Engagement Officer and supporting their off-site community gardening work when necessary.

·       Being responsible for the proper use, maintenance and safe storage of all plant, machinery, tools and equipment.

·       Overseeing and carrying out monitoring and evaluation of work in the churchyard, including outreach engagement, budgets and projects.

·       Attending staff meetings for SJW and TBAW as well as project meetings with TBAW team, reporting on all relevant matters.

·       Upholding all TBAW’s and SJW’s policies and procedures.

·       As required, undertaking some additional duties commensurate with the post, including working flexible hours and occasional weekends if possible.

Who are we looking for? For this role, we are seeking someone with the following qualifications and experience:

Qualities/Skills/Attributes 

Essential (E) or Desirable (D) 

Recognised Level 2 qualification in Horticulture or a related subject E

Demonstrable knowledge of and excitement for plants and the potential to improve the garden E

Evidence of successful garden project planning E

Experience of supervising vulnerable volunteers, including an ability to teach by example and working within a safeguarding framework E

Willingness to understand other community-based organisations and promote useful partnerships E

Knowledge of relevant health and safety regulations E

Reliable and organised, self-motivated and flexible E

Friendly and approachable D

Qualified first aider or willing to acquire this qualification D

Employer: The Bridge at Waterloo (TBAW), registered sister-charity of St John’s Waterloo (SJW) 

Accountable to: The trustees of TBAW  

Line Manager: Artistic Director of The Bridge at Waterloo

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 14 hours/2 days per week, with specific days and times to be agreed

Pay: £33,822 per annum pro rata.

Looking after our clients and visitors: TBAW and SJW are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers interacting with these groups to share this commitment. This position will be subject to satisfactory DBS and reference checks.

Administrative support: The Community Gardener will have access to the office facilities and equipment as required in order to carry out their responsibilities as outlined (printing, photocopier, stationery etc.). They will also have access to our data and monitoring tools.

To apply: Send your CV describing and listing tasks of relevant educational, extra-curricular and employment experience together with a cover letter (max. 1 side) explaining why you want the role and how your skills and experience match the specification including details of a recent gardening project that demonstrates the skills required for this type of role. Kindly include contact details for two referees.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to work in the UK.

Closing date: 5pm, 18th April 2024 | Interviews: week of 6th May 2024

Start: second half of May 2024