Our client, a Further Education College specialising in land-based training, is looking to recruit a Resource Technician and Practical Instructor to support the teaching staff across all courses within the College’s specialist land-based programmes.

About the College

Capel Manor College based in Greater London, is a Centre of Vocational Excellence for Horticulture, Landscaping and Garden Design, Floristry, Business Enterprise, Animal Care and Saddlery.

Description of duties

Reporting to the Centre Head, main duties and responsibilities:

• Maintaining the horticultural resources and the centre’s ground, including the safe and orderly storage of materials and the appropriate control of weeds, pests and diseases as required.
• Liaise with members of teaching and support staff to co-ordinate demonstration sessions, to ensure smooth transition between classroom studies and practical sessions.
• Undertake demonstrations and technical instruction of students enrolled at Capel Manor on a range of full-time and part-time courses at the direction of the teaching staff.
• Assist with the assessment of students’ practical abilities.
• Ensure that all requirements and regulations relating to health and safety are adhered to at all times.  Ensure that the health and safety of students is maintained whilst undertaking practical sessions.
• Ensure, along with other technical support staff, the adequate security of machinery, tools and equipment at all times. Maintain an appropriate monitoring system for all tools loaned to students on practical and project sessions.  This to include the safe return of all equipment to the store in a clean and satisfactory condition and reporting broken or non-functioning equipment in need of repair to the Centre Head.
• Establish and maintain a range of educational demonstrations and visual aid materials.  Assist in the preparation of display material for College shows and events and external exhibitions.
• Assist in overseeing the general welfare of students and report any matter of concern affecting an individual, or group of students, in the first instance to the relevant Course Tutor.
• Drive college minibuses, or hired vehicles including vans in agreement with the Centre Head.  Undertake regular maintenance checks on vehicles owned by Capel Manor including tractors and other road vehicles.
• Assist teaching staff in visiting and assessing students on work placement and assessing the workplace offered to the student for work experience.           
• Maintain accurate records of resources ordered and used including costs.

Experience / Qualifications

Successful candidates will need the following qualifications, experience and skills:

• A horticultural qualification at minimum of level 2
• Experience of working in an educational or training environment; or experience of working in a supervisory role within
• Experience of working within the horticulture/landscaping industry
• Ability to carry out maintenance and minor repairs of hand tools and horticultural machinery
• Possess a broad range of horticultural practical skills
• Have good plant identification knowledge
• Effective communication and organisational skills
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• Familiarity with IT systems
• Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Able to instruct and assess practical skills in horticulture at up to level 3
• Able to liaise with garden staff and manage/co-ordinate practical work in gardens
• Flexibility, responsive and committed to the area of work
• Skilled in liaison and negotiating with others

It is extremely desirable for candidates to posses the following:

• Teaching qualification (PTTLS)
• Certificate of competence in the safe handling and use of pesticides (PA1 & PA6A/PA2A)
• Hold a full, clean driving licence without any serious convictions
• Permit to drive minibus (if test taken after 01.01.97, will need to provide evidence that relevant tests have been undertaken and passed)
• Experience of working with 16 year olds and above
• Experience of working with students with moderate learning difficulties

The post-holder will be required to attain the PTTLS and CTTLS certificate during the course of his/her employment

Start Date: ASAP          Hours: Full Time

Closing date: 17.12.09

This post is subject to enhanced disclosure.

It is anticipated that candidates who progress from the application stage will not be asked to attend the College for an interview until after Christmas. Therefore, if you do not hear from the College by the middle of January you may assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

To apply, in the first instance, please send a copy of your CV along with covering letter to: Richardl@r21media.co.uk