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Bridgend Farmhouse is an award winning, community-owned and led organisation in South East Edinburgh whose aim is to enable people to learn, work and grow together to create a flourishing community and place.

This is a pivotal role, with overall responsibility for the development, operations and sustainability of Bridgend Farmhouse’s community facing activities, volunteering and external partnerships. We were one of first urban asset transfers in Scotland in 2015, and opened as a community hub in 2018, when our first staff joined us. So, Bridgend Farmhouse is relatively young as a staffed organisation, but has its origins in community development activities dating back over eleven years. The challenge for this role is to increase the profile and reposition Bridgend Farmhouse, a Community Benefit Society with Charitable status which has survived the negative impacts of COVID-19, whilst providing a range of vital services during the pandemic, and is beginning to emerge from lockdown. We have also just completed a large piece of community action research with other 400 households and detailed governance review with over 45 members, staff, trustees and volunteers.

The successful candidate would support the Board of Directors/Trustees to implement recently agreed structural changes, strengthen its governance and be responsible for the day-to-day organisation of a vibrant community hub which serves South East Edinburgh.  We need a highly organised, resilient self-starter for this challenging but very rewarding role.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced manager who has an understanding of working with a community-led organisation. You will have a strong track record of operational and project management in a comparable setting, and be competent and confident in managing budgets and financial performance. You will have excellent people management skills and a record of creating strong working partnerships with organisations, community groups and volunteers.  Experience of working to a Board of voluntary directors and of monitoring, evaluating and reporting on outcomes is also essential.

Introduction to Barrmill and District Community Association

The Barrmill Conservation group operate under the Barrmill and District Community Association.  The aim of the BCG is to actively encourage locals to spend time in the local outdoor environment to benefit from green health practices and to contribute to the protection of the local biodiversity of the area. 

The role of the Community Gardener

We are now seeking a community gardener who will support volunteers in the development and maintenance of the community garden.

The work will require engaging with volunteers to work on small scale horticultural projects.

Job Description

• Assist the Community Development Worker in providing a varied programme of garden jobs to engage and upskill existing volunteers and attract new volunteers.
• Plan and organise jobs required to keep the community garden maintained to a high standard ensuring that it is an attractive place for locals and visitors to spend time.
• Offer horticultural support and advice to volunteers in the development and maintenance of the community garden at weekly and monthly volunteering sessions.
• Delegate garden tasks to volunteers relative to their needs and experience.
• Work with the Outdoor Community Development Worker and Therapeutic Gardener to create therapeutic areas within the garden.
• To work co-operatively with the BDCA Directors, Outdoor Community Development Worker, Therapeutic Gardener and other members of the BCG and partner organisations to deliver agreed objectives. Attend and participate in meetings as necessary, including Directors meetings, volunteer meetings and partnership meetings where required.
• Liaise with the Outdoor Community Development Worker with regards to purchases to effectively deliver the role.   Be willing to source material and / or resources from our partners as required.  
• Comply with the BCG health and safety policies and procedures.  Be willing to undergo PVG checks and first aid training. Adhere to and carryout risk assessments as required.
• Account for work undertaken and provide briefings to the Outdoor Community Development Worker as required.  Be responsible for the upkeep and submission of timesheets.
• To undertake other duties appropriate to the post in support of the BCG aims and objectives.

This post requires a PVG check. This Job Description is not contractual and will be subject to review.

Essential skills and qualities

• Horticulture related qualification and/or a minimum of 2 years consistent horticultural experience relative to the post. 
• Experience in using practical knowledge/experience of horticulture to support volunteers in the development and maintenance of a community garden.
• Experience of undertaking onsite risk assessments and being responsible for the safety of everyone on site, including members of the public, ensuring that Covid-19 guidance is followed.
• Ability to work independently and as part of the team.
• Ability to keep records including time sheets and monitoring and evaluation data. 
• Self-motivated and well organised with good time management skills. 
• Ability to build a rapport with and enthuse a range of volunteer groups.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Good IT competences and able to use of Microsoft Office and email.
• Willingness to undergo a PVG check and First Aid training
• Able to work flexible hours as required. 
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Desirable Skills and Qualities

• Experience of working in a volunteer led environment.  
• An interest in healthy living/green health. 
• Experience of organic gardening.
• Experience of partnership working.   
• Experience of working with individuals or groups in a therapy setting.
• Experience of working with young people and youth groups, including those with challenging behaviour. 
• Emergency First Aid certificate. 
• Experienced in the use of Social Media to promote a community project.

Specific Tasks

• Ensure the garden is planned, organised and attractive for both participants and the wider public.
• Develop and deliver volunteering opportunities at the garden that promote the objectives and values of Forfar Open Garden
• Responsible for the maintenance of buildings, tools and equipment, and security of the garden.
• raising awareness of the charity and its work at local and national levels
• Identify and support opportunities to generate income from plant, produce sales and workshops aimed at paying customers to support aims of garden.
• increasing funds by researching and targeting charitable trusts whose criteria match our charity's aims and activities in relation to Forfar Open Garden
• Research and engage individuals, companies and businesses interested in developing therapeutic, community Gardening.
• Developing Forfar Open Garden to be a forum for discussion, idea sharing, undertake co-operative actions and develop courses dependent on identified needs of those attending.
• Organising and running public engagement events.
• Research, develop and plan programmes of events and courses at the Garden and other sites where appropriate
• Promote the garden via the provision of talks, presentations and participation in events and activities.
• report your performance to managers and Trustees

Education Attainment & Accreditation

• Formal qualification (degree or similar) in a horticultural/biological/environmental science/countryside management or education discipline. Other subject areas or equivalent experience will be considered.

Professional Skills & Experience

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to produce promotional materials, develop web site pages and maintain social media
• High standard of computer literacy (Excel, Word, Power Point and Outlook and the Internet).
• Understanding and interest in horticulture, wildlife, ecology and nature conservation.
• An appreciation of local and central government policies and directives

Interpersonal Skills & Qualities

• A proven enthusiasm for the outdoors and education and an ability to share it with others.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a good facilitator who can integrate and coordinate the work of others to deliver results
• Demonstrable ability to plan and prioritise own workload with minimum supervision.
• Ability to work as a member of a close-knit team
• Unwavering ethical, safety, environmental and responsibility value
• networking and negotiating skills
• a creative approach to problem solving
• organisation, planning and administration skills
• skills in researching, analysing and writing reports

Operational Planning

• Organisation and management of HOPE Garden, staff, trainees and volunteers
• Responsibility for trainees’ health and wellbeing, and involvement in HOPE projects. 
• Developing appropriate learning programmes for people with learning difficulties.
• Facilitating regular garden meetings with those involved in the project, in order to gather feedback and evaluate the project
• Develop the long term potential of the garden by participating in strategic discussions.
• Foster an open teamwork approach between colleagues, trainees, volunteers and other stakeholders 
• Help with the implementation of relevant areas of HOPE Business Plan 
• Liaise with Trustees on development of new garden projects
• Identify funding sources and prepare applications for the charity 
• Provide regular reports for trustees meetings
• Attend joint staff/trustees meetings 

Day to Day Operational Management

• Develop volunteer programme including recruitment, training, support and supervision of current and new volunteers
• Organise volunteer support meetings and identify any training needs
• Develop a range of opportunities at the garden
• Provide support for Head Gardener and organise and record staff team meetings
• Provide support and supervision to the Shop and Admin Assistant
• Organise User Group yearly meeting and/or development days.

Communication and organisational duties 

• Support the HOPE ethos of valuing all individuals and supporting people to reach their potential
• Communicate the work and ethos of HOPE to outside agencies 
• Actively seek out links with organisations and schools which could contribute to HOPE’s development 
• Attend relevant training sessions, seminars and conferences 
• Support fundraising and income generation activities and develop new funding initiatives 
• Promote HOPE through presentations to local community groups and organisations

Person specification

• Excellent people and project management skills
• Experience of working with vulnerable people 
• Commitment to person-centred values 
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work well as part of a team 
• Ability to work in a patient, flexible and non-judgmental manner 
• Self-reflective, self-aware and able to give and accept feedback 
• Willingness to undertake additional training as appropriate
• A current driving licence and access to a car is essential
• IT skills essential, including use of Excel, Word and PowerPoint