Skilled Gardener (Live out) - EC4297

A career development opportunity has arisen for an experienced and well-rounded gardener to join a stunning private estate close to the East Sussex coast and the historic town of Rye.  The estate currently employs a groundsman who will be on hand to assist, and a part-time long serving gardener who will provide supervision at a high level.  Applicants should be well-rounded gardeners with experience in a similar role on private estates. The position is a wide and varied role with great scope for personal and professional in-house development.

Set in 100 acres of parkland, the impressive gardens provide a complimentary frame for the historic building itself.  Future development of the gardens will be considered following successful appointment of a suitable Skilled Gardener; an acre of Victorian walled-garden, new glass house, as well as the development of other innovative business plans such as educational programs, veg/flower sales, arts exhibitions, music events and promotion of the estate’s vineyard tour.  The estate owners also have opened the garden/arboretum to the public in the past for national/international specialist groups and charitable fund raising events, and would like to do so again should the new Skilled Gardener demonstrate the capacity and willingness to contribute to such events in future. 

The majority of your work will involve maintenance of the 5 acre gardens and grounds; lawns, mixed borders, rose gardens, hedges and ornamental planting.  You should have good plant identification skills and horticultural knowledge as well as experience of growing vegetables and cut flowers.  Experience with propagation and glasshouse work would be a distinct advantage.  Some knowledge of Arboriculture would also be beneficial as two national tree collections are located within an arboretum on site, for which basic records must be kept up to date.  You also may be required to provide guidance to garden volunteers, assistants and trainees at times, under the overall supervision of the estate owners.

You should be a practical hands-on gardener; able to operate and carry out basic maintenance of garden machinery such as mowers, strimmers and hedge cutters.  Good practical experience and/or an entry level qualification in gardens and/or landscape management is desired (e.g. a Level 1 or 2 qualification in Horticulture).  Applicants should have a keen interest in gardens and landscapes and be willing to work alongside and support other estate staff and volunteers.  You should be well motivated with a keen eye for detail, a desire to achieve high standards and an ability to work on your own initiative.  The successful applicant will be expected to assist with preparations of events in general as well as ensuring that the garden is presentable at all times. You should also have the ability to engage with visitors at public events, and must therefore be a personable person with a positive character.  Applicants should have good written and verbal communication skills, organisational skills and a working knowledge of garden health and safety practices.  A full driving licence is essential.  Spraying certificates and a chainsaw licences are important but not initially necessary as training may be provided.

This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate and competent Skilled Gardener to take on a varied role, and to take pride in the management of a beautiful private estate garden in the sunniest part of the country. The client intends to increase the stated salary upon successful demonstration of your capabilities.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this 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 will have been unsuccessful.