Orchard team: Operational manager wanted
We are looking for someone to manage the team and coordinate our orchard planting and maintenance for approximately two days per week. The work will include site assessments, record-keeping and hands-on tree planting.
Over the last 20 years, we have planted over 2,800 fruit trees creating over 220 community & school orchards & 10 food forests.
We want everyone to have access to seasonal food grown in their neighbourhood. Fruit trees are great because, once established, they keep on giving. Orchards also support wildlife, sequester carbon, engage communities and support wellbeing.
Our tree planting work is now expanding to cover more areas in Sussex and our current main areas of work mostly lie between Worthing and Eastbourne.
We would particularly like to hear from anyone living within our current key focus areas in:
• Brighton & Hove: Bates Estate, Bevendean, Coldean, Craven Vale, Hollingbury, Hollingdean, Moulsecoomb, Whitehawk;
• Lewes: Landport Estate
• Seaford: all areas
About Brighton Permaculture Trust
We teach 30+ courses a year in permaculture, eco-building, orchard management and food-growing. We plant 100 trees each year in school and community orchards. We save 30 tonnes of locally grown fruit from going to waste and turn it into delicious juice, cider, crumble and jams.
We run over 450 volunteering sessions a year, giving our volunteers opportunities to connect with nature and learn new skills.
We manage a permaculture demonstration plot, Racehill Community Orchard and several other small orchards for the benefit of wildlife and the community. We are in the process of acquiring stewardship of a small plot of woodland in central Brighton that will be managed as an urban oasis for wildlife.
Our Permaculture ethics are central to everything we do:
Earthcare – enhancing natural resources and biodiversity; celebrating seasons
Peoplecare – valuing diversity, embracing differences; supporting health and well-being by connecting people to nature and to healthy food
Fairshare – inspiring people to create solutions for sharing resources wisely, today and for future generations.
Salary: £16 per hour (paid monthly in arrears)
Hours: This is a part-time freelance post, amounting to 14 hours per week. The work can be completed flexibly, but hours worked must be responsive to the requirements of the tasks.
Key responsibilities:
- Managing the operational delivery of the orchard team, currently eight part-time contractors
- Coordinating and scheduling regular work sessions in community orchards for the team and volunteers.
- Leading practical volunteer sessions with training elements in tree planting and maintenance in community orchards. Working with fruit & nut trees as well as other tree crops, edible edges & hedges, shelter, food & wildlife belts and forest gardens.
- Coordinating site assessments and planting plans; specifications, ordering and arranging deliveries.
- Working with communities to develop and maintain engagement on existing and new orchard sites
- Working closely with the Community Orchard Strategy & Development Manager to ensure effective delivery of strategic aims
- Providing timely feedback from each work session to Community Orchard Strategy & Development Manager
- Liaising with the Volunteer Coordinator in setting up and reporting back on volunteer sessions
- Keeping records for each location including trees planted, work carried out and future work required
How to apply:
- See the full version of the Job Description by clicking here
- Complete our application form showing how you meet the Key Competencies outlined in the Job Description (click here to download our application form)
- Send your application via email to Christian (click here to show email address) no later than 5 pm on Monday 20th May 2024.
Closing date: Monday 20th May 2024 at 5 pm
Interview date: Monday 3rd June 2024
Start date: July 2024
Further information:
Contact Christian via email (click here to show email address) for more information and to arrange an informal chat with a trustee.