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Assistant Gardener

Employer
National Trust
Location
RH5 6BD, Dorking
Salary
17,352 PA
Closing date
31 Jan 2021

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Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Function
Gardening Jobs

Job Details

Summary

If you want a career in Gardening, we can offer you some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the UK to work in.

You’ll love working outdoors and understand that our gardens and grounds are as significant as our mansion houses and our historical places. Our visitors tell us how much they enjoy the peace and tranquillity of our well-kept outdoor spaces, which makes your role vital in making sure they have an amazing experience.

What it's like to work here

It’s an exciting time to work at the celebrated Edwardian retreat of Polesden Lacey. New areas of the property have opened to the public, making this a year-round attraction with lots of opportunities within the team. The property boasts glorious views of the surrounding Surrey Hills, as well as an impressive art collection, manicured gardens and a large National Trust Shop. Colleagues have a great team spirit with close links to the local community. This picturesque property is just four miles outside of Dorking, however you're likely to need your own transport to get here.

Everything in the garden reflects Mrs. Greville's desire to impress her guests with lavish displays, garden tours are available through the day in summer and weekends in the winter.

What you'll be doing

You’ll assist in making sure that the gardens are maintained to a high standard and be passionate and enthused by plants. 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 assist garden volunteers and support 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.

As part of this role you’ll be required to work regular weekends as part of a garden-team rota.

Please also read the full role profile attached to this advert.

Who we're looking for

The minimum criteria required for this role is:

  • Previous practical gardening/horticulture experience, as well as some knowledge of plants and horticultural techniques
  • Familiarity with machinery/equipment and accompanying practical certificates
  • Knowledge of Health and Safety compliance requirements
  • Excellent customer service
  • Willingness and enthusiasm to share the history of the garden with visitors, bringing it to life
  • Commitment for what you are doing, always remaining proud of your work
  • You’ll have an NVQ 1-2 in Amenity Horticulture (or equivalent).

The package

Benefits for working at the National Trust:

  • Flexible working whenever possible
  • Free parking at most locations
  • Discounts in high street stores, cinemas, National Trust properties and cafes.
  • Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
  • Generous annual leave
  • Subsidised health cash plan
  • Free 24-hour support service
  • Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
  • Training & Development tailored to you
  • Up to 5 days of paid volunteering for you.

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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