Thank you for your interest in this full time position at our Community Tree Nursery.
Please read the below information to find out more about the role. The full job description and person specification document is available as a download at the bottom of this page.
If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please email [email protected]
If you feel this opportunity is for you, we do hope you follow up your interest by applying for this important and exciting position. We look forward to hearing from you!
- Job Title: Nursery Manager
- Type: Full Time 12 month fixed-term contract
- 40 Hours a week and 28 days Annual Leave
- Location: Emmaus Community Tree Nursery based at Trewoon, St Austell, Cornwall.
- Responsible to: The Chair of the Board of Trustees of Emmaus Cornwall or any nominated Trustee
- Responsible for: Volunteers
Job Purpose
To oversee the planning, organising and control of the Nursery site which includes polytunnels and open field areas, establishing and coordinating the activities of a volunteer workforce and growing increasing numbers of best quality trees, hedging and other plants for sale.
We are a registered charity, based in Cornwall and this exciting, innovative and far reaching project is the starting point for our development of a community of previously unemployed people -offering them a home for life and appropriate work opportunities. We are looking to produce best quality trees at the same time as we are offering life enhancing opportunities to our volunteers, building skills, confidence and supporting well being. This is therefore a challenging, and highly rewarding, opportunity for a suitably talented, experienced and qualified person. This role really is about plants and people and the appointed person will have an important role in all of our futures.
Job Tasks
- Manage the tree nursery to grow a wide range of trees for the trade and retail market, whether cell, pot or field grown. To grow other plants that may from time to time be relevant (for training purposes or to satisfy an identified niche market)
- Organise the day to day operation of the nursery, arrange volunteer attendances and their appropriate workload to set priorities, both on site and during seed collection.
- Work towards meeting the accreditation needs for the existing and developing quality and biosecurity standards
- Maintain excellent relationships with potential and actual customers, looking to exceed expectations and letting people know we exist
- Allow groups of volunteers to engage in their activities, complete the tasks set, enjoy the activities and the company of others, in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere where possible
- Ensure that all risk/hazard assessments have been completed, informing working practices so that all involved are working safely.
- Construct polytunnels, benches, shelters etc.
- Maintain oversight of the plants, their health (or otherwise) and their needs
- Operate all relevant equipment safely, or oversee appropriately trained others
- Provide necessary training for volunteers and maintain a Training Register
- Maintain up to date records of all activity in whatever formats are required
- Manage the budget for the operation, controlling costs, making savings where possible whilst maximising sales and income.
- Network with other local community organisations, support structures to continue to develop our pool of volunteers, manage volunteer booking system and social media content
- Be aware of and operate within the set policies and procedures of Emmaus Cornwall
- Be interested in their own continued personal and professional development
- Make the Board aware of any and all opportunities for the project’s continued development that may arise. To report back to the Board at regular intervals.
Skills and Experience
- Experience of managing and cultivating plant production – preferably in a commercial setting.
- A good knowledge of successful plant propagation
- Experience of maintaining strict hygiene, pathogen and pest control
- Experience of supporting people with a range of skills and abilities
- Ability to motivate others and create a rewarding culture for all, whatever their role.
- Experience of business planning in a horticultural setting.
- Able to thrive on enabling and supporting others to learn and develop in horticulture
- Able to build genuine connections with people, think holistically and take responsibility for the team’s welfare whilst at work
- Have the energy, enthusiasm and aspiration to enable others to develop and to keep developing.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Education
Essential: Level 4 Horticulture qualification or equivalent, practical experience of nursery management in commercial setting, coordination of people and resources.
Desirable: Knowledge/experience working with trees, knowledge of management principles, strategic planning, resource allocation and leadership, budgetary experience
Experience
Essential: Running a plant nursery, inc trees, organising and supervising volunteers, production and processing of plants, previously worked to a budget.
Desirable: Experience of working in a charity, growing British trees, sales & marketing, personnel and HR, entrepreneurial skills in seeking new revenue streams and business models, experience of delivering effective PR and marketing activities, experience of successful fundraising.
People Skills
Essential:Excellent social and interpersonal skills to support people from across the social spectrum, effective communicator verbally and using all media with everyone concerned, exercising responsibility in a controlled and friendly manner.
Desirable: Experience of working with volunteers, awareness of, and ability to support people with differing needs.
General Skills
Essential: IT literate inc database, social media.
Desirable: Customer service & relationship management.
Knowledge
Essential: Nursery management and maintenance, knowledge and experience of machinery and tools, coordinating and monitoring production
Desirable: Knowledge of relevant B.S., I.S.O. and other relevant standards and how to achieve them.
Personal Qualities
Essential: Positive mental attitude, problem solver/decision maker.
Physical Ability
Essential: Able to work for a whole day in the field, regularly taking part in labour intensive tasks.
Desirable: Able to lift up to 20kg.
Other
Essential: A belief in the potential of each individual and an understanding of the importance of the Community in helping an individual achieve their potential, able to welcome people into the Community with no prejudice, awareness and understanding of Equal Opportunities, able to work flexible hours, ability to travel within the local area and to attend meetings, full and current driving licence, confidence to take on and resolve difficult issues.
Desirable: Commitment to environmental sustainability and social development, own transport.
How to apply
As you can see, this is an important and involved position. If you have a ‘can do’ attitude, a straight-forward approach and want a role that makes a real difference to people and the planet, then we’d love to hear from you.
Please email your CV and cover letter to: [email protected]
Applications will be a reviewed as they arrive, so please do not delay.
After interviews, the successful candidate will need to provide evidence of right to work in the UK and complete a DBS check.