Social & Therapeutic Horticulture Technician

Job Description

2-year fixed term contract

3.5 days per week

£18,650 per annum

An exciting opportunity has arisen for someone to support the Social and Therapeutic Horticulture team in the therapy garden at Vounder Farm in Eden’s outer estate. Initially a 2-year contract, the successful candidate will work with the Horticultural Therapy Practitioners to support horticultural activities designed for the benefit of vulnerable groups of participants. The successful candidate will also be responsible for the maintenance of the living collection of plants, both ornamental and crops, utilising a wide variety of tools, equipment and practices.

A friendly, positive and non-judgemental outlook is essential to this role. Candidates ideally should have a Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture and 2 years’ experience of working in the field. You will need to be a team player and be enthusiastic about using gardening to benefit people’s wellbeing.

The closing date for this position is Monday 23rd of March 2026

JOB DESCRIPTION                                                  

                                                                                                                  

Job Family Definition

Roles within the Engagement, Learning and Entertainment job family focus upon the Eden experience, providing interpretation, activities, learning programmes, encounters and events, which engage, inspire and entertain, thus enhancing individuals’ understanding, experience, skills and enjoyment.

                                                                                                                                           

Role Purpose

Implements the effective propagation, cultivation, maintenance of plants, landscapes and ecosystems within Eden’s existing Therapy Garden at Vounder Farm in Eden’s outer estate. Works with the therapeutic horticulture practitioners to support activities designed for the benefit of specialist, groups of vulnerable participants.

                                                                                                                  

Key Accountabilities

• Maintains the various growing areas at the Therapy Garden in a timely manner and with quality expected considering the environmental strategy, ethical values and educational aspirations of Eden.

• Implements maintenance programmes, ensuring appropriate soil preparation, cultivation, propagation, irrigation, amelioration and pest control activities to the required standards in terms of timescales, quality and budget.

• Monitors, evaluates and gives feedback to the management for improvement of quality, efficiency and experience. Ensuring all activities are carried out with adequate training and instruction in compliance with company policy and Health & Safety regulations.

• Determines the requirements for supplies and equipment.

• Actively engages and interacts with participants, visitors and colleagues, providing practical guidance and imparting horticultural knowledge to support Therapy Garden participants.

• Actively promotes the work of the Therapy Garden within other areas of the organisation, thereby developing and maintaining the culture of collaboration and co-operation across all departments and functions.

Demands of the Role

Education & qualifications

Preferred level of education: Level 2 horticultural qualification.

Knowledge & skills

Minimum of 2 years’ experience within the field of horticulture. An accomplished and knowledgeable practitioner within the subject field with practical and professional expertise developed within horticulture. The job holder must possess a willingness to excel and eagerness to learn and develop within the fields of horticulture and particularly in its application in Nature Based Therapy.

Decision- making

Ability to work alone as well in small teams and make balanced practical decisions on plans and priorities.

Resourcefulness

Collaborates with colleagues and other staff to devise innovative and practical ways to improve planting schemes, habitats, landscaping and foremost knowledge transfer. The job holder will be required to be flexible and use creative thinking to resolve unusual practical challenges or situations.

People & asset management

Implements projects by example. Shares knowledge with colleagues and participants and shares responsibility for the health, integrity, maintenance of the therapy garden. Identify procurement requirements as well as sourcing and ordering for approval by budget holders.

Operational environment

The role regularly requires physical effort and prolonged work within a variety of demanding and at times harsh climatic environments.

Character

The job requires a decisive practical orientated, flexible, communicative person with a social creative personality who cares about the world we live in and understand and agrees the Therapy Garden’s aims and the Eden mission. Someone with a positive responsible outlook wishing to make a difference in this world both for the environment and for the people who live in it.

Additional Features

The job holder is required to continuously develop their technical expertise and skills while keeping abreast of current Health & Safety regulations.

The job holder will need to have a clean driving license and be prepared to drive company vehicles in the course of their work.

Be prepared to undertake relevant training to support them in doing the job.

Job Details

• Pay Type
• Salary