Discovery Programme Co-Ordinator/ Discovery Bus Driver

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew) is the world-leader in plant diversity science, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major visitor attraction that shows the importance of plants in all our lives. Kew’s mission is to inspire and deliver science-based plant conservation worldwide, enhancing the quality of life.

In this rewarding role, you oversee the Discovery programme which enables small groups of people with a variety of mobility and sensory needs and their carers to enjoy the Gardens. You will drive the Discovery Bus on pre-arranged tours, manage the bookings system for the Discovery Bus and Discovery walking tours and arrange vehicle maintenance. You will also oversee the volunteer Discovery Bus Drivers and Discovery Tour Guides.

A dedicated and enthusiastic individual, you will have experience of driving a passenger carrying vehicle and a full, clean manual passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) driver’s licence (Category D1). You will be qualified to GCSE level, or equivalent, in English and have excellent customer care skills, including sensitivity to people with special needs. You will be a good relationship builder and organiser, with the ability to plan, prioritise and organise efficiently. The ability to operate a mobility vehicle, safely and confidently, transfer visitors, including wheelchairs users, into and out of the Discovery Bus is essential, as is the ability to carry out First Aid, maintain an accurate booking system and use email and Microsoft Office programmes, such as Word and Excel.

Benefits include 30 days holiday per year, a choice of defined benefit or stakeholder pension, a flexible benefits scheme as well as a great working environment.