Festina Lente Mission Statement
Festina Lente provides a unique range of equestrian and horticultural activities, training, recreational events and employment services options with a strong emphasis on social inclusion, choice and personal development
Job Title: Garden Maintenance Person / Groundskeeper (Pobal Funded)
Location: Old Connaught Avenue, Bray, Co Wicklow
Reporting to: Head of Horticulture and Garden Retail
Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer
Main purpose: This role is important in the strategic development of horticulture side of the charity. You will play a valuable part in maintaining the gardens to a high level so that your work will help to create a space that promotes wellbeing and footfall in the gardens.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Main responsibilities of this position include:
- Working as part of a team planning, planting and maintaining all flower beds in the ornamental garden for the spring and summer season.
- Maintaining the raised beds at the entrance.
- Grass cutting and general lawn care.
- Maintaining and cleaning all paths and edging.
- Assisting in the maintenance of the ponds and pond life.
- Working with colleagues maintaining the sensory, woodland trails and meadows.
- Hedge cutting.
- Pruning of the trees for summer and winter.
- Seasonal tasks (bulb planting, dividing and transplanting, selling Christmas trees).
- Operating and safe use of machinery eg. hedge strimmer, leaf blower and lawnmowers etc.
- Assisting with garden projects.
- Tidying and maintaining allotment plots after the season is over, this work is undertaken in January of each year.
- Attending all designated training workshops.
- Active participation in team and staff meetings.
- Complying with the Health & Safety requirements of the organisation and legislation.
- Building and maintaining excellent working relationships with colleagues, learners, service users and customers of Festina Lente
- Contributing to the overall strategic planning of Festina Lente Gardens
- Undertaking any other reasonable duties which may be assigned to you by the CE
Please Note: This role is a CSP Supported Position (POBAL Funded)
Qualifying Criteria for all applicants applying for CSP Supported Positions:
- People who are in the workforce but unemployed and seeking to return to work i.e.,
- people who are in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB), Jobseekers Allowance (JA);people who are signing for credits
- Qualified Adults (Adult dependants of those in receipt of social welfare payment)
- People with Disabilities (PWD) i.e. in receipt of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Partial Capacity Benefit, or other disability benefit.
- Ukrainians (displaced by the war)
- Migrants, Refugees & Asylum Seekers
- Irish Travellers & Roma
- People coming from a labour activation scheme i.e. Community Employment, TUS, or RSS placements
- One Parent Families (people who parent alone without sufficient resources and are in receipt of social welfare payments)
- People who are deserted, separated, divorced or widowed (People in receipt of
- Widow/er’s non-contributory pension, surviving Civil Partner’s non-contributorypension, or deserted Wives allowance/benefit)
- Carers (people in receipt of Carers Allowance/Benefit who want to return to the workforce)
- People who are homeless
- Stabilised and recovering drug misusers
PERSON SPECIFICATION
- To be physically fit, hard-working, with a positive attitude, the ability to demonstrate initiative and a good eye for detail
- Safe pass and manual handling certification preferable
- Highly motivated and willing to work hard and in all sorts of weather
- Team player
- Landscape maintenance and Horticultural experience
Personal Attributes
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience of being a team player
- Proven ability to work on own initiative within a flexible, co-operative team structure
- Solution focused
- Ability to work well on their own, working to schedules and within time frames
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Working Hours: 8.30am – 5pm Mon-Tues; 8:30am- 12:30pm Wed
- Salary: €13.40 per hour
- Working Week: Monday to Wednesday
- Hours : 19.5 hours per week
Benefits Include:
Access to a company sponsored HSF Health Plan
Ongoing training and Development
Free on-site parking
Bike to work scheme
Annual Leave: Annual Leave will be 20 days per annum. Entitlement to Public Holidays will be in accordance with the Working Time Act of 1997.
Location of the position: Successful applicants will be required to work at Festina Lente, Old Connaught Ave, Bray, Co Wicklow
HOW TO APPLY:
Closing Date for Applications: 31 August 2026
Please send your CV to Lisa at [email protected]
SELECTION PROCESS:
Selection will involve short listing of applicants for interview based on the criteria for the position as outlined in this job description.
A file may be formed for future vacancies.
Festina Lente is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes suitably qualified applicants from all sections of society.
For Your Information:
The position advertised is supported through Pobal. Pobal administer and manage Government and EU funding to address disadvantage and support social inclusion.
Evidence of your eligibility for this position as laid down in Pobal Guidelines must accompany your application. Please see above criteria for eligibility.
FESTINA LENTE CHILD PROTECTION POLICY / GARDA VETTING / MANDATORY DECLARATION
Garda Vetting for all employees and volunteers is compulsory and those candidates invited for interview will be invited to complete a Garda Vetting procedure online.
The successful candidate will be provided with a copy of the Festina Lente Child Protection Policy and will be required to sign their acceptance of the contents of this document.
A Mandatory Declaration Form must be signed in advance of commencement of employment.
Festina Lente is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes suitably qualified applicants from all sections of society
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: €13.40 per hour
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Company events
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Are you eligible for CSP Funding as per the criteria listed?
Education:
- Leaving Certificate (preferred)
Experience:
- Horticulture: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Manual Handling Certificate (required)
Work Location: In person
