Estate Officer - Gardens & Ground - REQ001843

Job title: Estate Officer - Gardens & Grounds

Salary: SO2 £36,124 - £37,938
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Temple Newsam

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you
To lead on the management and continued development of the historic gardens and grounds in line with the Strategy and to assist in the continuing development of management and development plans. As an Estate Officer you will bring to the role:

The ability to manage and work as part of a team.
Relevant skills to maintain a top quality attraction.
Embrace the Council Values.
Treat people fairly and with respect.

About the role

To contribute to delivering an excellent heritage visitor attraction through the management of staff, budgets, operational activities, services, assets and infrastructure in line with service objectives and management plans. This role will lead on the development, management and delivery of the historic gardens and grounds and their use for public access and events.

What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Mark Darwell, Estate Manager- email Mark.Darwell@Leeds.gov.uk.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job purpose To contribute to delivering an excellent heritage visitor attraction through the management of staff, budgets, operational activities, services, assets and infrastructure in line with service objectives and management plans. This role will lead on the development, management and delivery of the historic gardens and grounds and their use for public access and events.

Responsibilities

To lead on the management and continued development of the historic gardens and grounds in line with the Strategy and to assist in the continuing development of management and development plans.
To encourage public access and volunteer involvement working with colleagues to promote the site through activities, events and positive visitor experiences. Participate in consultation and monitoring of feedback to enable continual improvement.
To provide on-site support to external organisers of events and activities and ensure that health and safety and legal requirements are met.
To undertake team management and ensure that staff are well briefed and trained for their role, tackling issues immediately, monitoring and evaluating impact and implementing learning. To effectively manage all resources to maximise efficiency. Provide regular financial performance reports to the Estates Manager. Motivate and develop the gardens and grounds team to deliver a commercial approach to the running of the visitor attraction.
To manage supplier and contractor relationships and monitor performance ensuring goods and services conform to contract requirements.
To ensure the procurement of goods and services is in accordance with financial regulations, corporate policy and legal requirements.
To represent the Climate Energy and Greenspaces service at all appropriate internal and external meetings.
To assist with recruitment, retention and development of staff to ensure maximum productivity. Be responsible for team training programmes, including skills development, training provision, and that appraisals are completed in a timely manner.
To deliver the internal communications strategy, ensuring all staff are kept informed of all key messages and site developments.
To be responsible for health, safety and security, ensuring checks are done on a regular basis and paperwork is kept up to date, adhering always to current health and safety guidelines and to deal with emergency situations in line with policy, ensuring a nominated person is responsible when off duty.
Willing to take personal responsibility and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
Willing to abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

A relevant minimum NVQ Level 3 or suitable period of relevant experience
Ability to effectively inspire, lead, motivate and manage individuals and teams.
An ability to marshal written and numerical data along with arguments in order to present written or verbal reports.
Ability to monitor and review performance
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
Ability to plan and manage budgets effectively.
Ability to manage a diverse range of service issues.
The ability to manage and prioritise multiple and conflicting tasks to meet tight deadlines.
An ability to manage and deliver projects to agreed timescales.
To work within a project team environment.
An ability to demonstrate good ICT skills (e.g. email; word processing; spreadsheets; database).
An ability to lead and manage services in accordance with Leeds City Council’s values and equality standards.
Knowledge of best practice in horticulture in an historic environment
Knowledge of the management of an estate or visitor attraction
Knowledge of health and safety management
Full UK driving licence
Experience of delivering excellent quality grounds and gardens.
Experience of managing events
Significant experience of leading and developing staff.
Experience in budget management
Proven ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Implementation of performance and management systems.
Experience of managing events and activities
Production and implementation of management plans

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Effective written and oral communication skills with a wide range of people including Members of Parliament, Elected Members, Senior Council Managers and members of the public.
Local government decision making processes.
An understanding of the principles of performance management
Knowledge of current operational, managerial and performance management systems
Knowledge and understanding of marketing principles in visitor attractions and commercial outlets.
Current grant funding processes.
Current legislation and issues affecting land based recreational facilities.
First aid qualification
Experience of managing within a visitor attraction with historic park and garden
Liaising with external agencies regarding land acquisition, disposal and ownership issues
Experience of planning promotion and outreach
Experience of producing interpretative materials.
Experience of working in an urban greenspace

Apply for this job