Gardener
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen on a large historic estate in Dorset, for an experienced gardener in search of a rewarding role within a small team. This role will suit a skilled and practical gardener with at least five years’ experience and a genuine love for their profession.
This nationally significant ‘Capability’ Brown site of over 40-acres dates back over 400-years, is open to the public and is Grade 1 listed. The gardens comprise a wide range of ornamental planting, specimen trees and native woodland, a lake, glasshouse, beds/borders, and expansive areas of lawn.
Reporting to the Gardens Supervisor, the successful candidate will assist in the maintenance of the gardens and grounds and conduct a range of horticultural and landscape maintenance operations. The position would suit a knowledgeable gardener with private estate gardening experience and a strong working knowledge of a range of garden machinery including pedestrian, ride-on and ideally, tractor mounted mowers. The ideal candidate will hold a recognised horticultural qualification, spraying certificate (PA1/PA6) and preferably a chainsaw and UTV certificate, though the latter is not essential at this stage.
Regular duties, and those in which applicants must be proficient include the following:
- Horticultural maintenance of borders and lawns
- Seasonal bulb planting
- Assisting with greenhouse management and maintenance
- Assisting with irrigation systems and maintenance
- Being responsible for the safety of themselves, others in the workplace and visitors alike
- Applying herbicides and pesticides
- Watering and weeding
- Using tractors and mounted equipment, if qualified/experienced
- Mowing and lawn care with use of a variety of equipment
- Planting trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants with pruning and ongoing care, including labelling
- Hedge cutting and strimming
- Reporting any potential hazards to the Gardens Supervisor
- Litter collection, path, and road maintenance
Applications are sought from experienced gardeners with academic qualifications, e.g. a National Certificate or the first year of an ND or HND, RHS Level 2, or other qualifications in the theory of horticulture. NPTC PA1/PA6 and a driving licence are essential, with Chainsaw and UTV certifications desired but not essential so long as strong horticultural knowledge can be demonstrated. At least five years of practical horticulture is desired, as is an eye for detail, an ability to work well alone and as part of a team, and a willingness to learn and assist on the estate where necessary in order to ensure the smooth running of the gardens.
This is a full-time permeant role offering 40-hours per week on a year-round basis, with 28-days’ holiday (including Bank Holidays) and an employer pension contribution. Hours of work are 08:00 – 16:30, Monday to Friday.
SALARY: £24,000 DOE
LOCATION:West Dorset
JOB No: EC20972
If this Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Mark Read on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.
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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Gardener vacancy. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
