Experienced Gardener
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced and skilled gardener/groundsperson to join a high-profile 180-acre private estate nestled in the heart of Ashdown Forest, an ancient open heathland of great ecological and conservation value within the High Weald AONB in East Sussex. The stunning grounds and gardens, delivered to high horticultural standards, are Grade II* listed, and include a 1.5-acre walled kitchen garden, an orchard, 11 state-of-the art glasshouses, formal terraces, fine lawns, diverse shrub, herbaceous and seasonal borders, landscaped lakes, formal ornamental pools, and extensive parkland and woodlands with valuable Rhododendron and tree collections that thrive in the acidic soil characteristic of the area.
The scope of work of the Grounds and Gardens Team is wide, encompassing most aspects of productive and ornamental horticulture, grounds maintenance and woodland management. Therefore, suitable candidates should be able to offer an all-round set of skills, and a willingness to support the gardening operations in undertaking a wide variety of tasks, as and when required. The role is, however, primarily focused on the management and maintenance of the estate grounds and wider landscape and woodlands, including elements such as formal and informal hedges, shrub borders, lakes, specimen trees, lawns, meadows, paths, land drains and hard landscaping features. Thus, the successful candidate should be able to bring comprehensive grounds maintenance experience, including the operation of a broad range of garden machinery, all-terrain vehicles, ride on mowers and tractors.
This is a senior position within a team of 8, reporting to the team’s Foreman and to the Head Gardener, which might require occasionally line-managing junior members of staff. A team player, the successful candidate will bring dedication, commitment, professionalism, a strong work ethic, a high degree of physical fitness and the capability to work outdoors in all weathers. The position is ideal for a driven, experienced professional looking for a fulfilling role in a magnificent setting, working as part of a friendly and motivated team.
Suitable candidates will ideally possess formal qualifications, at least five years of relevant grounds maintenance experience, preferably within the context of historic country gardens, and vocational qualifications for utilising knapsack sprayers (PA1, PA6) and operating chainsaws (CS30, CS31). The estate is committed to developing staff, and the successful candidate will look forward to continual support, training, and career development.
An annual salary of £28–32K pa, depending on skills, experience, and qualifications, is offered to the successful candidate. Working hours are 37.5 a week with 20 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with the requirement to occasionally work outside formal hours to facilitate additional support for the gardening operations during busy periods and to be part of the weekend duty rota for watering and glasshouse management duties. All overtime hours are paid at a rate of time and a half. The position includes a comfortable three-bedroom cottage with a wood-burning stove and a private garden within walking distance of the workplace. Most of the gardening team lives on site, and candidates with children and/or pets are welcome to apply.
A valid full UK driving license is an essential requirement for the position.
Candidates are requested to include a covering letter alongside their CV with their application, and are encouraged to apply early.
This private advert is being managed directly by the employer. English Country Gardeners are not involved in the hiring process and are therefore unable to share any additional information on this role. If you have any questions regarding this position, the best course of action is to apply for the job which will open a line of communication with the employer.
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