Assistant Gardener

THE ROLE Reporting to the Assistant General Foreperson or Executive Parks & Landscape Officer and/or Senior Parks and Landscape Officer and/or appropriate officer the post holder is responsible for the management of all Parks & Recreation Department operations and the supervision of all staff associated within the designated area.

Responsibilities/Duties To act, under the direction and supervision of the Assistant General Foreperson or Executive Parks & Landscape Officer and/or Senior Parks and Landscape Officer and/or appropriate Officer in their absence as required, in connection with the management and maintenance of the parks and open spaces under the control of the Parks & Recreation Department and such other relevant duties as may be required including: The successful candidate will be expected to carry out the non-inclusive list of duties set out below: The Assistant Gardener shall arrange under the direction of the Assistant General Foreperson or their appointed representative, the efficient execution of all works in their area of charge and discharge all other duties related to their work including the following:

Duties The duties of the post include, but are not limited to, the following: • To develop, co-ordinate and implement the parks, open/green space planting, maintenance and development programme, • Maintain high levels of presentation in public parks, gardens and open spaces, • Planting and weeding flower beds and borders, • Planting & pruning trees and shrubs, • Checking the health of plants by identifying any pests or diseases and controlling them, • Applying nutrients to plants and watering containers, • Responsibility for cleaning and maintaining tools, machinery and equipment, • Apply plant knowledge, • Use all new technology and machinery as required, • Comply with all Health and Safety requirements as required, • Document & maintain tasks in accordance with Cork City Council Health & Safety Management System, • Undertake any training as may be decided upon by the local authority from time to time, • Any other duties which may be assigned from time to time.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST 1. Character Each candidate must be of good character. 2. Health Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would enable him/her to give regular and efficient service. 3. Education, Training, Experience, Etc. Each candidate must on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: (a) Hold at a minimum, a recognised qualification in Horticulture (QQI Level 5 in the National Framework of Qualifications), or equivalent qualification in Horticulture. (b) Have experience in planning, planting and maintaining greens spaces and/or have a demonstrable aptitude for this type of work. (c) Have experience in the care and use of tools, machines and appliances used in the maintenance of parks, gardens and open spaces. (d) Have had satisfactory experience of organising and setting out work. (e) Have a reasonable knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations. 4. Drivers Licence Candidates must hold a current clean driving licence (Class B) for the relevant vehicle class they are driving, free from convictions and medical limitations that do not permit them or prevent them driving their own vehicle, or a vehicle provided by Cork City Council. Should you be disqualified from driving you may be subject to an appropriate sanction which may include demotion/suspension or other disciplinary action. Desirable Skills It is desirable that candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong ability in the following areas: • Delivering Quality Work and Services, Communicating Effectively, Personal Effectiveness. • Hold a current, unendorsed full driving licence at C1. • Hold a current Safe-Pass card. • Relevant experience in working in local authorities or similar. • Have satisfactory knowledge and a keen interest in horticulture, relevant to public open spaces, gardens and parks. • Have good communication skills and have the ability to engage with a wide range of people. • Have good organisational skills. • Have the ability to work as part of a team. • Have the ability to organise their own work and work schedule in an efficient manner. • Be capable of working on their own initiative, in an independent environment and without constant supervision. • Demonstrate a willingness and ability to stay up-to-date and adapt to current developments within the sector; such as the protection and enhancement of biodiversity and the implementation of nature-based solutions in relation to climate change adaptation. Remuneration Remuneration for the position of Assistant Gardener Parks & Recreation Department is – €745.43 - €749.05 - €752.57 - €754.58 - €756.65 - €758.63 - €760.61 - €762.66 - €764.78 - €767.00 - €767.00 - €767.00 - €767.00 (Max) Applicants should note that entry point to the salary scale will be determined in accordance with circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning, & Local Government. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale at the minimum point.

Hours of Duty The successful candidate will be required to work 39 hours per week. The role may, on occasion, include evening and weekend work. Candidates may be required to work reasonable overtime for which appropriate overtime rates will be paid. The hours of work may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy. Holders of the post may be called for duty at any time in accordance with arrangements made by local authorities. The Council reserves the right to alter hours of work from time to time.

Garda Vetting This post will come within the scope of the Local Authorities Garda Vetting Scheme. Please consult our Candidate Information Booklet where further information on Garda Vetting can be found. We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive place of work and have a robust strategy to enable this. We are an equal opportunity employer and through our recruitment process, we welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability. The above represents the principal conditions of services and is not intended to be the comprehensive list of all terms and conditions of employment which will be set out in the employment contract of the successful candidate. Candidates are advised to view our Candidate Information Booklet where they will find further information on the Format of the Competition, our Principal Conditions of Service and General Data Protection Regulation