Community Orchard Team Manager

Opportunity to join the Brighton Permaculture Trust team!

Everyone should have access to seasonal food grown in their neighbourhood. Our
Community Orchard work puts the skills needed to grow fruit trees in the hands of local
communities. Fruit trees are great because, once established, they keep on giving. Community
Orchards also support wildlife, sequester carbon, engage communities, and support wellbeing.

Over the last 20 years, we have planted over 2,800 fruit trees creating over 220 community
& school orchards & 10 food forests. We are now expanding our Community Orchard work to
cover more areas in Sussex and are looking for someone to join our diverse Community Orchard
team.

We are looking for someone to manage the team and coordinate our orchard planting and
maintenance for approximately two days per week.

You will work closely with our existing Orchard Strategy & Development Manager (Jenni
Cresswell), with a focus on the daily management of the Orchard Team workers and coordinating
our orchard planting and maintenance. The work will include site assessments, record-keeping,
coordinating stock as well as hands-on tree planting and aftercare with communities. 

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