The Salvation Army Cooper Ipswich is a thriving church and plays an active role in the local community to provide a place of worship, support services and programs. Dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming space for all, the Landscape Architect/Designer – Community Gardener plays an important volunteer role in supporting this ministry by creating a welcoming atmosphere and a place of quiet reflection.

The Landscape Architect/Designer – Community Garden role is to provide professional input into the concept design, planning and development of the gardens surrounding The Salvation Army centre located in Ipswich, Qld. Ultimately, it will be the community who will benefit from a beautiful and abundant garden, both in its ongoing maintenance by volunteers and a place of peace and reflection for visitors and clients. The role ensures that the garden is to be well-planned with a practical and aesthetically- driven vision for the long term.

This volunteer role offers an excellent opportunity to expand upon your skills and build your landscape design portfolio.

Key tasks of the role will include:

• Consultation with key internal and external stakeholders on requirements and timelines for the garden
• Ability to work closely with TSA Officers and other relevant stakeholders during each stage of the design process and provide expert advice on material options and provide recommendations
• Providing on-going advice and monitoring during initial implementation
• Outline budget, providing alternative options
• Monitor and rectify any health and safety concerns within the garden and surrounding area. Where unable to address an issue escalated to the manager.
• Use Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) when completing any gardening activities.

Expected Outputs and measures will include:

• Expert advice is based on previous experience and research into similar community gardens
• Provide evidence based advice on various plants and materials to be used in the space available
• Ensure much of the practical aspect is achievable for volunteers to carry out
• Timeline planned according to requirements i.e. planting in early spring
• Ultimately set a vision for a therapeutic space that encourages connection, enjoyment and hope
• Provide limited on-going advice to ensure volunteers are guided according to plan
• Provide references to material costs
• Provide budgets based on agreed alternatives
•  Report any potential health and safety concerns to Manager including monitoring of condition of PPE and address issues with equipment with the manager.
• Complete hazard/ incident and accident form as required

Mandatory requirements of the role:

• Ideally the successful candidate will have qualifications in landscape design  or strong verifiable experience if no qualifications (i.e. portfolio) In addition to strong consultation experience in a similar role.
• A willingness to complete integrity and reference checks 
• Completion of The Salvation Army's volunteer registration process
• Complete TSA induction modules and any other training as required

Please advise availability in "Interests, skills & qualifications"

Times and days are flexible, approximately two days per week