Horticulture Assistant
Hours: 38 hours per week
Duration: Fixed Term – dependent on recurring funding
Employer: Kilcreggan Homes
Location: Kilcreggan Garden Centre, Elizabeth Avenue, Carrickfergus
Project Description
Kilcreggan Homes is a non-profit making organisation, which provides housing with support in the Elizabeth Avenue area of Carrickfergus for adults with a learning disability, autism and acquired brain injury. Kilcreggan’s philosophy is to make the most of the strengths and interests of each individual and to direct energy towards assisting them to find a place in their local community.
Kilcreggan Homes supports 25 people to live in their own homes on one site and alongside this they run a small Urban Farm and Garden Centre, which is part of a unique initiative intended to improve and enhance the vicinity of Elizabeth Avenue. It acts as a focus to draw together the different sections of the community, in particular children and young people, men and women with a learning disability and elderly people.
The Garden Centre consists of 2 growing/working tunnels and a large sales area, specialising in bedding, hanging baskets, perennials and garden accessories.
Duties:
- Sales and customer service activities in Carrickfergus Garden Centre at Kilcreggan
- Adhere to Plant Health regulations
- Maintaining seasonal stock levels
- Care for and maintain all plant material to a high standard
- Seasonal promotions using social media
- Upkeep of Garden Centre premises and surrounding site
- Cash handling/credit card payments
- Reconciling cash
- Following the relevant Kilcreggan policies and procedures
This is a summary job description of the above post and is not meant to be restrictive. It may be altered from time to time to meet the changing needs of the project.
Essential Criteria:
- Experience of working in a garden centre or related horticultural field
- Excellent plant and product knowledge
- A passion to provide outstanding customer service and sales
- Have excellent verbal and communication skills
- Good standard of IT skills
- Minimum level 2 relevant qualification
Desirable Criteria:
- City and Guilds Certificate or Diploma in Horticulture
- Have a knowledge of using social media platforms for seasonal promotions and advertising
- Experience of growing large quantities of plug plants in heated polytunnels.
You should have a passion for horticulture and be able to maintain stock levels according to seasonal demands. You will be expected to assist customers and advise them about plant choice and care, take in deliveries and maintain all plants to a high standard. Ability to creatively display stock and plant seasonal planters and hanging baskets. You will be responsible for operating a till and checkout. Evening and weekend working required.
How to apply?
Please complete the form in black ink and return to: The Recruitment Manager, Kilcreggan Homes, Elizabeth Avenue, Carrickfergus, BT38 7UY or return by email to: gayle@kilcreggan.org.uk. Applications has been extended to the 6th May 2022.