Skilled Gardener – This position has now been filled
Skilled Gardener required
A rare and fantastic opportunity has arisen on an historic private estate near Winchester, for an experienced gardener with dedication, flexibility and a passion for garden management. This role would suit a knowledgeable gardener with excellent time management skills, good physical fitness and a demonstrable understanding of the considerations required on private estates
The property has a very strong history, dating back nearly 3000 years in terms of being a known settlement. The present property and garden are a mere 300 years old in their current form, with the gardens being developed throughout this time by the respective owners. The pleasure gardens encompass 22-acres and are surrounded on three sides by a ha-ha, a pinetum and large collection of young and mature native and exotic trees, a lake, fountains and a natural spring, parterres, formal lawns, mixed and perennial/herbaceous borders, a rose garden, Temple Garden, Orangery, walks and paths, a walled garden (in need of repair), courtyard areas and numerous container planting, with specimen trees throughout. The estate is open to the public for one day per year as part of the National Garden Scheme.
The property owners are private and traditional in keeping with the style and history of the estate and its management to date, so are looking to appoint a Skilled Gardener with experience on estates of a similar nature. Following the retirement of a dedicated Gardener of 20-years, contractors have been brought in to assist with the garden, however there is now a desire to employ a full-time permanent Skilled Gardener with the ability and willingness to dedicate their time to the deserving site.
Applicants for this position may be academically qualified but must, more importantly, be able to demonstrate by previous experience their knowledge and understanding of hands-on garden management on large and horticulturally diverse private estates. Applicants should have extensive experience (and ideally some certification) with a range of garden/estate machinery, i.e. tractors, chainsaws, chemical spray applicators, hedge cutters, strimmers, ride-on and pedestrian mowers, blowers etc. Candidates must have strong knowledge of seasonal garden/plant management, excellent time management skills, and must be team players with a flexible and a helpful approach at all times.
The varying seasonal duties of the successful candidate will be supplemented by external contractors where necessary and as such, an ability to work alongside other gardeners as with other estate team members, with sensitivity and diplomacy, is essential. A full UK driving licence is required for this role. Due to the nature of the site and the preference of the welcoming owners, discretion and sensitivity is required at all times.
In addition to a salary in line with the successful candidate’s experience, private health care is offered as well as a pension scheme, whereby the employer will contribute a generous 9.5% (with the employee contributing 4%). Annual holiday entitlement is 28-days (including Bank Holidays)
SALARY: £25,000 – £30,000 DOE
LOCATION: Winchester, Hampshire
JOB No: EC7999
If this Skilled Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Mark Read on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.
You will need to be registered with English Country Gardeners to find out where and how your personal data is used whilst using our work finding services please view our privacy policy.
Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Skilled 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 Skilled Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
