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.

This role is permanent.

What it's like to work here

No two days are the same in the 8 acre garden. Everyday a different set of volunteers come to work with the experienced garden team as they tend long herbaceous boarders, work in woodland wildernesses,  sow and harvest vegetables, prune fruit in the walled garden and mow grass around our Hall while engaging with visitors . Behind the scenes gardeners work in our nursery to produce plants for the boarder and compost for mulching, we are also in the process of reimagining the gardens with Andy Sturgeon over the coming years, all while being part of the largest conservation charity in Europe. We pride ourselves on developing all our team’s gardening careers with past colleagues going on to many well-known gardens.     

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. Day to day gardening work such as mowing lawns, mulching, pruning, leaf clearing, staking and weeding, You’ll also support other staff with the planting and maintenance of trees and shrubs, help in our small Nursery with plant propagation, work in the herbaceous Boarders, as well as occasional work in the Parkland and other National Trust gardens across York. You'll be helping with hard and soft landscaping as the Andy Sturgeon project moves forward, as well as general maintenance of these areas of the garden.

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 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

To be successful in this role you should be able to demonstrate the following:

• 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.