A rare and interesting opportunity has arisen for a River Keeper/ Estate Gardener/ Water Bailiff to join a Paper Mill Estate within the heart of the Kent countryside.

Our client owns a fishery which includes course and trout fishing lakes as well as river fishing and clay shooting. The 26-acre estate comprises a Trout Lake, Coarse Fishery, River, Woodland and Lawn. They currently seek an enthusiastic and driven River Keeper/Estate Gardener/ Water Baliff to maintain the fishery, as well as carry out other general gardening and maintenance duties around the estate. 

The successful candidate will maintain the garden consisting of grass, flower beds, trees, hedges, gates and fences on site. He / She will be responsible for the security of the house and fisheries site including the care park and fire station. Controlling the levels of the River and the Lakes is part of the role and must be managed at all times, therefore the candidate is responsible for the handover of this duty to a specific individual when leaving the site. He / She will test the fire pump, hydrants and fire hoses on the site in conjunction with the Mill Engineer.

In additional, the successful candidate will be responsibility for all mowers, boats, tools and equipment owned by the client. He / She will manage the upkeep and maintenance of the stock, fishery and shooting grounds including vermin control. Other duties may be necessary for the smooth running of the estate, the fishery and Shooting Grounds including maintenance of the swimming pool. He / She will assist in the organising and the running of corporate let days as well as the organising and leading of working parties to carry out specific tasks at the fishery / shooting grounds.

You must be able to use your own initiative, work efficiently and should be able to use a chainsaw, back pack sprayer, tractor mower and be able to swim. He / She will be dog friendly as they would be expected to look after the owner’s dogs in their absence.

The position requires being based on site therefore a 2-bedroom unfurnished cottage is offered with this opportunity. All bills including council tax, water and electricity are the responsibility of the tenant. Logs to fuel the central heating boiler may be gathered from the estate.

The Rota (Hours and days of work) will be mutually agreed in advance and set on a weekly / monthly basis.  You will be entitled to four weeks paid holiday per annum in addition to the Statutory Bank Holidays. Should any of these need to be worked, time off in lieu will be given. 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who truly enjoys a real country keeper way of life.