Gardener High Wycombe
Job description
If you want a career in Gardening, we can offer you some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the UK to work in as well as one of the largest plant collections in Europe. Interviews will be held during the week commencing 23rd October. What it's like to work here:Hughenden Manor Gardens are a hidden jewel in the Chilterns Landscape, yet well known and loved by local communities on its doorstep. A typical Victorian garden it was designed by Benjamin Disraeli’s wife Mary Anne who embraced the Italianate style with features inspired by her love of bright colours and Disraeli’s fondness for trees. The gardens provide our visitors with a rich experience in a small space compiling of pleasure grounds, terrace border and parterre, orchard with over 45 different apple varieties and a walled garden. We work closely with the Ranger team who manage the adjacent woodlands and park land. The park and gardens are Grade II listed. Being a very small garden team, we all play an active part in looking after the gardens. Team working with our 50+ enthusiastic and committed volunteers is a key aspect of our work at Hughenden. This is also a great time to be a part of the Hughenden Garden Team as we are currently reviewing the Garden Management Plan and putting together conservation and design proposals for the gardens over the next 5 years. What you'll be doing:This role is an exciting opportunity to build and broaden your gardening knowledge and experience, potentially providing a stepping stone to managing a small garden team in the future. We are passionate about the care and appearance of the gardens at Hughenden. As a hands-on Gardener with a keen interest in plants and horticulture, you’ll be contributing to keeping high presentation standards in the gardens and enjoy sharing this and your enthusiasm for horticulture with our visitors. This role will include a wide range of practical horticultural tasks to enhance and conserve the garden and help with the delivery of projects. You'll also assist in specialist pruning, mowing, propagation and hedge trimming as well as looking after the health of the plants and maintaining machinery. Supported by the Senior Gardener, you’ll undertake the daily work planning with the Assistant Gardener and help the garden volunteers make the most of their time here. You'll be involved in planning and setting up of any garden events and tours as required. You'll be required to be a part of the Day Manager rota which will involve working one weekend day and one weekday every four weeks. Time off in lieu is given for weekend working. Who we're looking forTo be successful in this role you should be able to demonstrate the below: Trained as a professional gardener/horticulturalist with a good level of practical experience. RHS Level 2 or equivalent. Have proven practical gardening/horticulture experience, as well as a strong knowledge of plants Experience of working with volunteers and leading tasks Confidence to participate in garden activities and events Competence with machinery/equipment use and maintenance; including tractors, chainsaws, and pedestrian mowers with accreditation as required for Health and Safety compliance. The packageThe National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too. Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18) Tax free childcare scheme Rental deposit loan scheme Season ticket loan Perks at work discounts i.e. gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria. Flexible working whenever possible Employee assistance programme Free parking at most locations Independent financial advice Requirements :Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK Permanent f/t (37.5 hrs pw)
