Key relationships

The Board, Curator, staff, Friends of Eastwoodhill, volunteers, visitors, sponsors, contractors, tertiary education providers.

Primary Objectives

• Detailed management, reporting and overview of operational and business activities that will ensure the organisation is fit for purpose and delivering across our wide-ranging activities. Including staff, budgets, projects (CAPEX and OPEX) and the advancement of the organisational purpose.

• To lead the arboretum for botanical, conservation and educational purposes.

• To ensure the safety of the public and staff by adopting safe working practices at all times and by carrying out visual tree hazards assessments as per the policy, involving track opening and closing when necessary.

Key Responsibilities:

1. General Operations and Reporting

Expected Outcome: The day-to-day operations of the Arboretum are carried out efficiently and effectively.

• Prepare and submit regular reporting for the Board via the Curator as required

• When required stand in for Curator on Arboretum updates and talk to reports at Board meetings

• In liaison with the Curator, ensure operating budget and overall resources are managed effectively with variances raised as appropriate.

• Ensure all the Trust property/assets are maintained.

• Ensure all policies and procedures are followed.

2. Arborist and Botanical Collection management

Expected Outcome: The botanical collection is enhanced year on year

• Propagation management.

• Maintenance of tree database, catalogue and mapping system.

• Overview of plant health and protection.

• Provide quality arboriculture support through one’s own skills levels and the use of specialist contractors.

• Developing good clear systems for arboreal and horticultural management in the park and gardens.

• Managing arborist contracting to the best possible benefit for Eastwoodhill given the time and financial constraints.

• Keeping abreast of issues in the parks, recreation, arboreal and horticultural sector to provide up to date advice to management and the Board.

• Pest management in the park.

• Manage tracks information, maps, signage and interpretation of special interest points.

• Update tree maintenance plan as projects are completed.

3. Public relations

Expected outcome: The Arboretum is well represented at all levels with clear and consistent messages around what is offered, the botanical collection available and how people can be involved. This will require work on the weekends at times.

• Development and delivery of botanical and interest group tours.

• Work alongside staff and Board to deliver great visitor experiences

4. Volunteer and community involvement

Expected Outcome: Volunteers and the wider community are engaged with the Arboretum and involvement increases year on year.

• In conjunction with the Curator, identify opportunities for volunteer groups, organisations and schools to participate in park activities.

• Involve Friends of Eastwoodhill as required.

5. Health and Safety

Expected outcomes: Eastwoodhill maintains clear health and safety records and policies to minimise risk within a systems approach subject to tracked assessment, analysis and implementation of continuous improvement.

• Risk minimisation planning and recording

• Tree Visual Hazard Assessment information is maintained and updated.

• All protective safety equipment is available, current and used at all times.

• Adherence to all health and safety policies and information.

• All accidents, near miss incidents and potential hazards are reported and recorded.

• All machinery records are maintained and services are kept up to date.

• Staff are appropriately trained.

• Assist with the Visitor Safety Plan for emergency assistance, evacuation and general visitor safety.

6. Human Resources

Expected Outcome: In liaison with the Curator, lead and support staff in their roles, make informed and fair and reasonable decisions to ensure a motivated and healthy workforce.

• Provide open and transparent communication with the team Plan work priorities and manage staff to achieve agreed business plans.

• Ensure payroll, timesheet and leave processes are followed

• Undertake performance reviews on a regular basis

• Regularly review and update organisation policies in a timely manner.

7. Project Management

Expected outcome: Projects are completed to achieve each project’s outcomes on time and on budget to the satisfaction of the Board

• Provide input and assistance as required by the Curator and the Board in the development of new programmes.

Qualifications

Preferred:

• New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture and or

• New Zealand Certificate in Arboriculture

• Bachelor of Science or similar

Experience:

• Management or team leader of staff

• At least three years in an arboretum or gardening

• experience

• Mature Tree management

• Propagation planning

Preferred:

• Exposure to a wide range of tree species

Competencies

• Team player 

• Flexibility 

• Willing to help others 

• Excellent time management 

• Ability to prioritise 

• Well organised 

• Confidence 

• Problem solver 

• Assertiveness to manage staff

Person Specification

Essential Skills/Experience

• Computer literate

• Staff management/delegation experience

• Current full and clean driver’s license

Preferred:

• Chainsaw ticket

• Ability to plan ahead and organise resourcing 

• Team Player 

• Assertiveness

40 hours per week

Starting salary $100k.