Craft Gardener

The Position:

Limerick City and County Council is seeking enthusiastic, skilled and dedicated individuals to join our team as Craft Gardeners. This is an exciting opportunity to make a visible and lasting contribution to the county’s environment, biodiversity and quality of life while working outdoors in a rewarding and varied role.

Successful candidates will be placed on a panel from which temporary and permanent vacancies may be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

Why Join Us?

As a Craft Gardener, you will have the opportunity to:

• Create and maintain vibrant parks, gardens and green spaces enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors.
• Showcase your horticultural expertise through planting design, cultivation and landscape development projects.
• Contribute to biodiversity, sustainability and environmental enhancement initiatives across the county.
• Work closely with local communities, Tidy Towns groups and residents' associations to deliver attractive and welcoming public spaces.
• Develop your skills through ongoing training, new technologies and varied project work.

What We’re Looking For:

• Motivated, reliable individuals.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate professionalism and sound judgement.
• Are comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Can work independently and as part of a team.
• Have a strong sense of responsibility and public service.

What We Offer

• A dynamic and inclusive work environment.
• Opportunities for training, development, and career progression.
• A culture that values employee engagement and wellbeing.

Employee Benefits

• Salary: €1,628.32–€1,872.46 per fortnight.
• Leave: 25 days annually.
• Hours: 39 per week.
• Automatically entered into a pension scheme.
• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave.
• A range of Family Friendly Policies.
• A range of Learning and Development Opportunities.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• To develop, co-ordinate and implement the parks, open/green space planting, maintenance and development programme.
• Maintaining high levels of presentation in public parks, gardens and open spaces.
• Designing planting schemes.
• Planting and weeding flower beds and borders.
• Raising plants from seeds or cuttings and division.
• Planting and 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.
• Managing green waste and composting.
• Apply plant knowledge.
• Assist with planting and maintenance of the Council’s Nursery.
• Carry out hard landscaping works, such as concrete works, low level walls, fencing, paving etc.
• Liaise with Tidy Towns and residents groups.
• Competent in the use of ICT Systems.
• Use all new technology and machinery as required.
• Comply with all Health and Safety requirements as required.
• Document and maintain tasks in accordance with LCCC 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.

Recruitment Process:

• Email completed application form to recruitment@limerick.ie before the stated closing date.
• Selection Process.
• Eligibility check.
• Shortlisting may apply.
• Competitive interview (online/in person).
• Panel formation for future vacancies.

The PersonQualifications

1. CHARACTER

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. HEALTH

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE ETC:

Candidates shall on the latest date for receipt of applications:

(a) Hold at a minimum, an Advanced Certificate in Horticulture (QQI Level 6), or equivalent qualification in Horticulture.

(b) Have comprehensive experience in planning, planting and maintaining green 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 a thorough knowledge of the cultivation of plants, both indoor and under glass, as well as a good knowledge of decorative and landscape gardening.

(e) Have had satisfactory experience of organising and setting out work.

(f) Hold a current, unendorsed, full driving licence (minimum Class B).

(g) Hold a current Safe Pass Registration Card.

(h) Have a reasonable knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations.

Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. Overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Desirables:

• 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.
• Have satisfactory working knowledge and experience of:

Terms and Conditions1. The Post

Subject to the availability of suitably qualified candidates, a panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Director General.

The panel may be used by Limerick City and County Council to fill permanent and temporary positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

2. Annual Leave

The successful candidate will have 25 days annual leave (inclusive of Good Friday).

3. Salary

Salary scale: €1,628.32–€1,872.46, paid fortnightly inclusive of LSIs. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

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 for the position at the minimum point (currently €1,628.32).

4. Location

Limerick City and County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any department or premises in use by the Council, now or in the future.

Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation.

The person appointed will be required to travel to and from work at their own expense.

5. Hours of Work

The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty nine hours working week. Hours may vary from time to time.

The working hours may be reviewed at any time by the Council. The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary. No additional remuneration will be paid in respect of such activities.

The provisions of Limerick City and County Council’s Time and Attendance Policy are applicable to this grade at the current time.

6. Sick Leave

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

7. Superannuation

The Local Government Superannuation Scheme applies.

8. Travel

Holders of the post should hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles and shall be required to drive a motor car in the course of their duties and, for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.

Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and local authority Travel and Subsistence Policy.

Limerick City and County Council, as employer, must be indemnified on your insurance policy.

If during your employment your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

9. Residence

The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

10. Safety and Welfare

The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Limerick City and County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan.

The successful candidate shall make themselves aware of the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety clothing and equipment.

11. Training

It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

12. Taking Up Appointment

The local authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of four weeks and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint them.