Head Gardener
An excellent opportunity has arisen on a private estate close to Haslemere in Surrey, for an experienced Senior or Head Gardener to manage two assistants and the 10-acre garden. This role would suit a qualified gardener with a well-rounded skill set and experience of managing garden staff or volunteers.
The mature 10-acre private garden is situated approximately 1.5-miles from Haslemere train station and comprises expansive lawns and a tennis court, large herbaceous borders, a wildlife pond and associated planting, a collection of rhododendron, azalea and camellia, and an impressive collection of mature native and exotic trees including a pinetum and surrounding woodland and paddocks. A greenhouse is used for plant propagation at times, though there is no kitchen garden on the property.
Applicants for this position should be willing and able to contribute to general estate tasks such as checking the property perimeter/boundaries for fallen trees, necessary repairs work to gates, fences and walls etc. as well as general estate tasks such as cutting logs for the fire (chainsaw operation), checking gutters and drainage. The ideal candidate will therefore be well-versed in private estate garden management at Senior/Head or Sole Gardener level and will be able to manage assistant gardeners with diplomacy and respect. Good plant knowledge/identification skills are essential and an academic horticultural qualification at level 3 or above is expected, as are chemical spray certificates (PA1/PA6) and a chainsaw licence (CS30/31) or similar. Good physical fitness is essential as this is a hands-on, full-time permanent position. The Head Gardener must be experienced in the safe operation and basic maintenance of garden machinery and must hold a full UK driving licence.
Applicants for this position should have experience in each of the above areas and must be flexible and helpful in their approach to private estate gardening. Working hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:00 with a 1-hour lunch break. The position is offered with 20-days holiday per annum plus Bank Holidays. Candidates will ideally live within commuting distance of the property as accommodation is not provided.
SALARY: £32,000 – £35,000 DOE
LOCATION: Haslemere, Surrey
JOB No: EC10765
If this Head 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 Head 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 Head Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
