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Gardener

Employer
National Trust
Location
DE6 5HT, Ashbourne
Salary
£19,928 per annum
Closing date
30 May 2019

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Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Function
Gardening Jobs
Sector
Charity & Voluntary

Job Details

Would you like to work in a developing new garden in the setting of the Grade 1 listed Sudbury Hall? Currently, a very lovely, green blank canvas and we’re looking for a Gardener to be part of the team.

What it's like to work here

Sudbury Hall, the country home of the Lords Vernon, offers a delight of 17th-century craftsmanship, featuring exquisite plasterwork, wood carvings and classical story-based murals. The Museum of Childhood is a delight for all ages with something for everyone. Children can discover something new, or relive nostalgic memories by exploring the childhoods of times gone by, make stories, play with toys and share your childhood with others.

Our gardens comprise 27 acres of the remains of an 18th Century pleasure ground and wider parkland together with more formal 19th Century terraced parterres. The gardens have undergone very little development since the National Trust took ownership of the property in the 1960s and most is laid to lawn, with topiary and limited planting. We are lucky to have relatively complete records of the gardens dating back to the 16th Century which shows continuous dedication by the historic family to develop the garden in line with changing fashions and tastes.

Recently we launched an exciting Gardens Re-Development project to transform Sudbury’s gardens into a more colourful, engaging and interesting space. The project will celebrate the gardens long history, whilst delivering a fresh and contemporary re-design, merging high quality horticulture with an emphasis on nature, playfulness and discovery.

What you'll be doing

As a hands-on Gardener, you’ll assist in making sure that the gardens are maintained to a high standard. You’ll be passionate and enthused and knowledgeable about the varied plants within the garden. This role will include a range of practical horticultural tasks to develop, enhance and conserve the garden and contribute to the delivery of projects. You'll be helping with hard and soft landscaping and general maintenance of the garden, such as mulching, pruning, leaf clearing and weeding. You’ll support with the planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants. You’ll be helping to cut the hedges and mow our fine lawns. You’ll also take ownership of specific areas of the garden ensuring the highest standards are maintained and healthy plants are available for our visitors to enjoy.

You’ll also support garden volunteers and help them to make the most of their time here. You’ll be expected to interact with the public on a daily basis, answering the many questions, or help out with gardening workshops, tours and helping set up events when needed.

We also look after a property called The Old Manor at Norbury, a little cottage of horticultural interest, so it's likely you'll be working there once a week.

Who we're looking for

To 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
  • 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 package

Benefits include flexible working whenever possible plus free parking at most locations. You’ll be entitled to discounts in high street stores and cinemas, National Trust shops and NT cafes, and have free entry to NT properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18).

Your health and wellbeing is important to us and is supported through generous annual leave and the option to buy additional days (minimum contract length applies), a cycle to work scheme, subsidised health cash plan and confidential access to a free support service 24 hours a day should you need it.

Your future financial health is helped by an employer matched - up to 10% of basic salary - contributory pension scheme and you can further your career with training and development tailored to you.

All of this and the opportunity to give something back to your community with up to 5 days of paid volunteering per year!

Company

There's no other organisation like the National Trust. No other organisation that brings such an amazing variety of places and spaces to life.

We are a charity founded in 1895 by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley, three people who saw the importance of our nation’s heritage and open spaces, and wanted to protect them for everyone to enjoy. More than a century after we were founded, our values are still at the heart of everything we do. And we do a lot more than you might think. 

We welcome some 22.5 million visitors, from all ages and backgrounds, every year. We care for historic houses, gardens, mills, forests, castles, miles of coastline, islands, holiday cottages, pubs and inns, whole villages and even a goldmine. We also run a huge retail chain, a multi-million pound food and beverage business and much, much more. And we do all of this so that everyone can enjoy and make the most of the green spaces and beautiful places that England, Wales and Northern Ireland has to offer. 

The National Trust is described by its employee gardeners as “dynamic, supportive, inquisitive and fun”, where its beautiful places “lift your spirits naturally” and “somewhere you can expand new skills”. The organisation is currently recruiting for a number of gardening roles. 

Read more in our latest articles:

What makes the National Trust a special place to work?

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