Allotment Officer

Full UK Driving Licence required

 

Are you passionate about gardening and community development? Do you have experience in managing outdoor spaces and supporting local projects? We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Allotment Officer to join our team and help manage and enhance our allotment sites, ensuring they are thriving, sustainable, and accessible to the local community.

 

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Site Management: Support the day-to-day operation of allotment sites, ensuring they are well-maintained, secure, and welcoming for all users.
• Tenant Support: Act as the main point of contact for allotment holders, providing guidance on plot management, and ensuring all tenants comply with site rules and regulations.
• Health & Safety: Ensure all safety standards are met, including risk assessments, and general site safety for tenants.
• Administration: Keep accurate records of allotment usage, manage plot allocations, and handle any relevant correspondence.
• Environmental Sustainability: Promote environmentally friendly gardening practices and support initiatives for biodiversity, composting, and sustainable water use.

 

About You:

• A keen interest in gardening, horticulture, or community development.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage with people from all backgrounds.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations related to outdoor spaces.
• Ability to resolve issues diplomatically and effectively.
• Previous experience in managing allotments or similar community-focused roles would be an advantage.

 

You’ll be part of a team that relies on everyone to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

 

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

 

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

 

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

 

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact recruitment@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 23rd March 2025

Interview Date: to be confirmed

 

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.