Horticulture Team Leader

Horticulture Team Leader

Location: North East Essex / South Suffolk (working across project sites in the region)

Salary: £14,000 – £15,500 per annum (£32,500 – £36,000 FTE)

Hours: 16 hours per week initially, with the possibility to increase to full-time as the charity grows

About the Role

Market Field Farm is a charity formed in 2020 to provide skills training and paid employment to young people with learning disabilities, autism and ADHD. Market Field Grows is our environment and horticulture branch. It exists to improve the extremely low employment rate (4.8%) for adults with learning disabilities in the UK, through tree planting, gardening, grounds maintenance and nature reserve preservation across North East Essex.

Now in its sixth year, Market Field Grows is restructuring to strengthen its model and create more opportunities for young people. That's where you come in.

As our Horticulture Team Leader, you'll lead a small team of young people with learning disabilities and autism, making sure conservation, gardening and maintenance services are delivered professionally and safely. You'll give each team member individualised support to succeed in their work. It's a hands-on, outdoor role across all seasons, and every day will be different. You might spend a few weeks on one project or visit several sites in a single day.

You'll report directly to the Grows Project Coordinator and the Market Field Charity Manager.

What's in it for you:

• Work that makes a real difference to the young people you work alongside, to wildlife, and to the communities you'll serve.
• Relevant training courses, paid for by the charity.
• The chance to help shape new conservation initiatives as Market Field Grows develops.
• A charity vehicle for travel to sites, with fuel and garage costs covered.
• 5.6 weeks paid annual leave, including bank holidays (pro rata).
• Automatic enrolment in the charity's workplace pension scheme.
• The possibility of moving to full time as the charity grows.

Key Requirements

Essential:

• Full driving licence and confidence driving a large utility vehicle.
• Enhanced DBS check.
• Horticulture, gardening or landscaping experience or education.
• Experience of working with young people.
• A clear communicator.
• A willingness to learn and grow your own skills.
• The ability to work on your own initiative and prioritise tasks.
• Health and safety awareness.
• Excellent timekeeping.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of silviculture or planting for conservation.
• Workplace tickets for power tools.
• Emergency First Aid at Work qualification.
• Experience of working with young people with SEND.
• Team leader or supervisory experience.
• A qualification in horticulture or garden maintenance.
• An interest in wildlife, sustainability and community work.

Key Tasks:

• Lead on and carry out a variety of gardening, landscaping and general maintenance work.
• Direct, support and supervise your team of young employee Gardeners with SEND.
• Brief your team and make sure all equipment is collected, ready and loaded each morning.
• Drive to work locations and handle basic vehicle upkeep, including AdBlue, diesel and garage appointments.
• Keep the services calendar up to date.
• Complete timesheets, employee development records, and safeguarding and health and safety records.
• Check equipment and consumables stock and reorder as needed.
• Pass any new work enquiries to the Project Coordinator.
• Identify and attend relevant training courses.
• Contribute ideas to the ongoing development of Market Field Grows.

Interested?

If you'd like to lead a team that's cultivating bright futures, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now with an up-to-date CV.