Mudlarks Garden

Special Branch Team Leader

Mudlarks is a Hertford based charity which supports adults and young people with learning disabilities and mental health concerns.

We are seeking a dedicated and skilled team leader with a horticultural background to organise and run our Special Branch gardening team carrying out gardening work for elderly and vulnerable people in and around Hertford.

This role involves supporting Mudlarks gardeners (people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health concerns) to provide a gardening service and working at our polytunnels.

  • Full Time Permanent: Monday – Friday
  • Hours: 9am – 5pm
  • Salary: £26,394 per annum

To apply email CV and covering letter to Victoria Broscomb vic@mudlarksgarden.org.uk

Closing date for applications: 17th February 2025

Duties

  • To support Mudlarks gardeners (people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health concerns) to provide a gardening service to elderly and vulnerable people.
  • To assess the jobs at each home before visiting with the gardening team, following up enquiries in a timely manner.
  • To create a positive relationship with our gardeners and the elderly people whose homes we are visiting.
  • Be able to work both independently when out with the gardening team, and in collaboration with all the allotment and office staff.
  • To ensure that the company vehicle is maintained and serviced as required

Additional Requirements

    • Provide information for reports and project review meetings.
    • To keep up-to-date with changes in policies/laws/regulations/practices and implement them in the Mudlarks ethos in all aspects of Mudlarks.
    • To safeguard the long-term future of the charity.
    • You may be required to carry out other duties, as within your capabilities and level of responsibility, in order to meet the needs of the organisation.

General requirements

  • To understand fully, and have a commitment to, carrying out the aims and objectives of Mudlarks
  • To work within the Mudlarks’ policies and procedures to provide a high quality of service and in particular to always have a high regard for the organisation’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
  • To act in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998).
  • To act in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the organisation’s Health and Safety policy statement.

Education, training and experience

Essential

  • A good level of literacy, numeracy and communication skills.
  • Experience of working with people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health concerns.

Desirable

  • Training and qualifications in care for people with learning difficulties and mental health issues.
  • Training, qualifications and experience in horticulture, conservation work or construction work.

Skills and abilities

  • Ability to work positively both as a member of a team and independently, within a clear framework of accountability.
  • Self-motivated and able to use own initiative.
  • Good verbal communication skills.
  • Clean full driving licence – driving the gardening team to work locations in the company vehicle is an essential part of the job.
  • Ability to work to deadlines.
  • Willingness to be flexible.
  • Prepared and able to work outdoors in all weather throughout the year.
  • Ability to think logically and creatively to provide practical solutions to a changing range of problems and issues.
  • Ability to deal with challenging behaviour.
  • Written communication skills necessary to present information in written reports and correspondence.