Gardener/Handyman - Live In - EC7176

A rare and attractive opportunity has arisen in North Norfolk, for an experienced hands-on gardener with excellent handyman skills, to take ownership of a small private property set within a vast and prestigious estate.  This is a live-in position with a two-bedroom cottage offered to the successful candidate, in addition to the stated salary.  Applicants must primarily be experienced gardeners with good horticultural knowledge (including that of kitchen gardening and cut flowers) and must possess the ability and willingness to carry out additional estate/house maintenance duties when necessary.

Extending over 25,000 acres in North Norfolk, the land and property-based activities include residential and commercial lettings, property development, arable and vegetable farming, forestry, country sports, an inn, a holiday park, beaches, car parks, admissions, cafes, shops, concerts and events.  Over the past few years there has been significant investment to transform the visitor experience at the estate, including a 6.5-acre walled garden and an extensive education and events program. 

The smaller section of the estate, on which this vacancy is based, belongs to a significant family member and one of the owners of the estate.  The garden comprises extensive lawn, hedges, wide mixed and herbaceous borders, a parterre, a kitchen garden and glasshouse, cut flowers, topiary and specimen trees, a rose garden and surrounding woodland.  Assistance with hedge cutting may be available from local contractors where necessary.

As part of the team of three; (two part-time housekeepers, a PA and the Gardener/successful candidate for this vacancy), the role will involve attending to the needs of the garden, and household maintenance duties, including security, such that the friendly and welcoming owner is able to enjoy the property in the knowledge that it remains in a safe and capable pair of hands.  The successful applicant will work as part of the overall Gardens Team on the wider estate but will have specific, sole responsibility for providing gardening services to the smaller estate on an average of 4-days per week, with the remaining 1-day per week being spent on the wider/main estate garden. 

This is a hands-on and enjoyable role, so applicants must have a good level of fitness as well as genuine enthusiasm for the impressive property and the wider estate in general.  Applicants must have a keen eye for detail, an appreciation of quality, an ability to problem solve and should have a positive character overall.  Applicants must have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom and have a full, clean driving licence. 

The main responsibilities of the successful candidate are to include:

Regular communication with the owner/occupant to ensure expectations are met and work is prioritised accordingly.

• Planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, ground cover and annual bedding, hedge cutting etc. as necessary.
• Lawn maintenance and cultivation.
• The use and maintenance of hand tools and basic light machinery.
• The use of mowers, strimmers and leaf blowers.
• To cultivate the vegetable garden.
• Maintenance and care of equipment including oil level checks and checking for damage.
• To maintain an awareness of Health and Safety requirements and to carry out all duties in compliance with current legislation.
• To apply chemicals (weed control, fertiliser etc.) where appropriate.
• To clean and maintain the hard surfaces around the property and to treat when required.
• To maintain sheds and the greenhouse, ensuring that they are tidy and well kept.
• To valet cars as required and undertake routine maintenance; checking oil, water and tyres.
• Ensure cars are serviced regularly and MOTs are current.
• To walk and feed dogs as required.
• To replenish log baskets and lay fires as required.
• To empty bins and look after waste recycling and compost as required.
• To ensure the estate is kept secure at all times and respond to alarms.
• To carry out internal maintenance jobs as required.
• To seek assistance from the Property Maintenance team for work that cannot be addressed by the household team.
• Other similar duties that may be required. 

The successful candidate may be required to work outside standard working hours and standard working days where necessary and within reason, to ensure the smooth running of the property.

The successful applicant will need to be hardworking, flexible, energetic and trustworthy, with a genuine passion for gardening and a strong knowledge of plants.  Candidates must have demonstrable hands-on garden experience, preferably within an estate environment, as well as an academic horticultural qualification.  Spray certificates (PA1/PA6) and a clean driving licence are required, as is a commitment to work to the highest possible standard with excellent attention to detail.  Applicants must be able to take direction where necessary, be able to work well within a team, but must also be able to work under their own initiative.  The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a capable and talented estate gardener to live and work on one of the country’s most stunning and welcoming estates, directly for one of the owners; herself a passionate gardener.  A very well presented two-bedroom property is provided on the estate; rent, Council Tax and water rates free.  The successful candidate will be liable for gas and electricity bills (and a proportion of the Council Tax if a partner is to live in permanently).

SALARY:        £18,000 + Accommodation

LOCATION:    North Norfolk

JOB No:          EC7176

If this Gardener/Handyman vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Mark Read on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Gardener/Handyman 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 Gardener/Handyman vacancy will have been unsuccessful.