Regional Campaign for School Gardening Advisor – North West, Home Based

37.5 hours per week
Fixed Term until August 2013

Do you want to help the RHS Campaign for School Gardening (www.rhs.org.uk/schoolgardening) to achieve its aim of encouraging and supporting schools to develop and actively use a school garden? Could you help schools to provide hands-on learning opportunities, to grow plants and to garden sustainably? Could you inspire children, teachers, parents and volunteers to get involved? Then this rewarding role, supported by Manchester Airport, will suit you down to the ground.

We need a keen horticulturist with excellent communications skills to give schools in the North West the knowledge and skills and to put gardening at the heart of school life.

Working initially with fifteen schools in Manchester and the surrounding areas, you will provide interactive, practical gardening sessions to demonstrate seasonal tasks and planning with links to the curriculum and healthy eating. You’ll work closely with the schools to get everyone on board, including teachers, support staff, governors, parents and the local community. While helping these schools to develop, you’ll also carry out training events for teachers and school staff from the surrounding school area and provide technical support and advice.

Your work will additionally involve building relationships with RHS partners in the North West and helping them to play an active role in schools and communities. You will also contribute to the online communities of the Campaign for School Gardening.

The role calls for sound practical horticultural skills (to at least NDH level or equivalent) and familiarity with schools and/or the national curriculum is desirable. You will have had experience of organising and running training courses and communicating with people from all walks of life. Experience of working with volunteers will be useful. Lastly, you’ll need a good level of IT competency, particularly in Microsoft Word and the web. In return we offer excellent benefits, including 25 days annual leave with an additional 5 days by arrangement, Group Personal Pension Plan and private medical insurance and the satisfaction of introducing young people to a skill that will last their whole lives.

Benefits include 25 days annual leave with an additional 5 days by arrangement and Group Personal Pension Plan.

Apply by completing the RHS Application Form and send with your CV and a covering note highlighting how you match the knowledge, experience and skills requirements of the role to: recruitment@rhs.org.uk. Please ensure you attach a completed Equal Opportunities Form from the downloads section.

All applications should be received by 4pm Wednesday 10 August 2011.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 17 August 2011 (venue tbc).

The Application and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Forms are editable saveable documents.