Head Gardener
About Us
Airfield is a 38-acre working educational farm and gardens located in Dundrum, Dublin 14, Ireland (www.airfield.ie). As one of Dublin’s leading visitor attractions, we welcome local, national and international visitors throughout the year. We provide a wide range of programmes and activities that aim to promote an understanding of agriculture, horticulture and the link between farming and food production.
Over the next five years, Airfield’s goal is to become a leading voice in food sustainability beyond the walls of the estate. The charity wishes to continue to be an educational and visitor attraction, while in parallel develop its credentials as a force for good in terms of advocating for food sustainability for all, through being a voice and a real influence in society.
The future Airfield Estate will be a leading, self-funded, business orientated, educational and recreational visitor attraction, with a purpose to help people to get to know their food, building on the story and legacy of the Overend sisters.
As an independent educational visitor attraction, Airfield will continue to appeal to its core membership and day visitor audience, whilst broadening its geographic range and attracting a wider “foodie” and food producer audience, including national and international tourists.
Role Summary
Airfield Estate requires a Head Gardener who will supervise the day to day operations of the garden, ensuring synergy between the ornamental and food garden teams and facilitating effective working relationships across the wider Estate.
Main Responsibilities
- Day to day people leadership of the garden team including craft gardeners and students.
- Oversee the delivery of agreed projects within the gardens, working with colleagues and stakeholders in the successful execution of such projects.
- Practical horticulture (e.g. managing trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants, turf care, pest/disease/weed control, compost, path care, plant propagation and hedgerow
- Plantsmanship (e.g. the identification, recording and labelling of individual plants)
- Support the planning and design of ornamental and food gardens.
- Support the day to day production of quality fruit, herbs and vegetables in Airfield polytunnels and food garden including ground preparation, propagation, cultivation, harvesting, and monitoring of overall health of soil, fruit and vegetables.
- Use and maintenance of garden/farm tools and machinery.
- Delivery of educational and bespoke garden tours.
- Ensure adherence to Health, Safety and best practice policies.
- Contribute to the annual budgetary process.
- Liaise closely with the rest of the Airfield team to ensure that the education remit and values of Airfield are upheld.
- Perform any additional duties that may be assigned by the line manager as this role evolves.
Person Specification
- Horticultural qualification with at least 3 years’ experience as a Head Gardener
- Experienced people manager, with an ability to work within a team in all- weather conditions.
- Good communication skills with an ability to share knowledge with all audiences.
- Competent DIY and machine operating skills. Chainsaw licence desirable.
- Relevant pesticide qualification PA1 & PA6.
- Full Irish driver licence.
- Passionate about food and sustainability.
- Be flexible in working hours in line with peaks and troughs of activity in the calendar year.
This private advert is being managed directly by the employer. English Country Gardeners are not involved in the hiring process and are therefore unable to share any additional information on this role. If you have any questions regarding this position, the best course of action is to apply for the job which will open a line of communication with the employer.
If you would like to view more information on the Professional Gardeners Guild, please click here and the Royal Horticultural Society, please click here
For more gardener roles please click here
