Assistant to Gardens & Grounds

Come and join our excellent team as a Garden and Ground Assistant. You will have the unique opportunity to acquire knowledge and practical experience in all areas of horticulture, woodland and grass management. Supervised by highly competent and experienced staff, you will learn everything you need to achieve your goals in becoming a Garden or Grounds Manager in the future.

We take great care of our ancient meadows and woodlands as well as our outstanding gardens which attract large visitor numbers each year. We provide outstanding facilities and equipment, and our staff are very proud to work in one of the most beautiful estates in the country.

So if you are looking for a varied role which provides you with the experience relating to all aspects of garden, park, meadow and woodland management please submit your application - we want to hear from you.

Skills and experience:

• NVQ Level 2 Amenity Horticulture or equivalent is essential
• Full driving licence
• Practical experience with tractors and their attachments

Horticulture Duties and Responsibilities:

• Regular weeding of formal and informal herbaceous borders
• Cutting back & supporting of perennials as required
• Bulb planting in garden and park in the autumn
• Re-organisation of borders in the autumn as required
• Lifting of bulbs and replacing with summer bedding
• Training and pruning of climbers
• Planting perennials in herbaceous borders under development
• Improving soil with organic matter or grit depending on water content
• Growing of vegetables, flowers and herbs from seeds
• Cultivation of potager and orchard, harvesting of vegetables and fruits
• Pruning of trees and shrubs
• Weed and pest control
• Garden irrigation
• Management of compost
• Weeding of informal areas

Woodland, Hedges and Grass Management Duties and Responsibilities:

• Cutting of parkland and field hedges
• Strimming/mowing footpaths through woodlands
• Strimming of grass banks and along pasture fences
• Strimming/mowing of Arboretum and informal grassland areas
• Mowing of parkland meadow
• Watering of young trees and shrubs in park
• Maintenance of horse paddocks
• Flailing of woodlands in the summer
• Coppicing and logging in the winter
• Chopping of wood and transport from long-term storage to short-term storage 

General Maintenance

• Keeping Potting Shed, Greenhouses, Wood Shed and Tractor Shed clean and tidy
• Sweeping garden paths, patios and all entrances and steps weekly
• Keeping paths in rockery and tea garden as well as all steps by house entrances algae-free
• Pond and fountain care
• Cleaning of statues and stone features in the spring
• Monitoring and carrying out routine maintenance of fences and gates throughout the estate
• Clearing park, rides, tracks, and woodland footpaths of windfall
• General leaf management throughout the estate
• Lifting and moving of heavy items
• Ensuring that farmyard area is kept tidy and clean
• Keeping entrances snow- and ice-free

 Working Hours:

The position is full time. Working hours are 8.00 am till 4.30 pm (March to October) 8.00 am to 3.00 pm (November to February). 2 half-hour breaks

Benefits:

• 20 days Holiday plus public holidays
• Probationary period of six months with a notice period of 2 weeks.
• After that the notice period will be 12 weeks

Apply:

If you feel you have the relevant skills we would love to hear from you, to submit your interest please click "Apply" and email your CV.