Gardener

Background

The Crown Estate Paving Commission is a unique statutory body charged since 1824 with the care and maintenance of the private residential gardens around Regent’s Park that are owned by the Crown Estate. Also in the Commission’s care are the Waterloo Gardens around Waterloo Place just off Pall Mall. These historic gardens are maintained by a dedicated team of staff and include some of the most impressive garden spaces in central London. Measuring in excess of 18 acres, these gardens serve as attractive amenities to local Crown Estate residents and are part of the city’s green arteries important to Londoners and visitors alike. The Commission is independent of The Crown Estate, The Royal Parks and local authorities.

The gardens team is led by the Head of Landscape, currently has seven staff and is based at Regent’s Park. With the range of garden locations, the gardening role is probably unique in London and should attract a horticultural professional who is experienced in maintaining high end private gardens and landscapes.

The successful appointee will need to have up-to-date and hands-on experience of horticultural best practice, excellent plant knowledge, experience in commercial gardening equipment, Health and Safety systems and a PA1 & PA6 spraying licence.  They will be a practical, hands-on, hard-working gardener with excellent team working and communication skills.

A proven ability to work and drive a commercial vehicle in central London would be advantageous.   

The Commission has a team of circa 30 directly employed staff, headed by the Director, Nick Packard MRICS.

Further information can be found on our website.

Job Description 

Job title:                              Gardener

Reporting to:                     Head Gardener

Contract:                             Permanent full-time

Location:                             13 Park Square West, Regent’s Park, NW1

Job purpose:                      The Crown Estate Paving Commission’s purpose is to maintain the streets, pavements and ornamental terrace gardens of The Crown Estate around Regent’s Park and to maintain gardens at Carlton House Terrace, St James’s.

The Gardener role is to assist in the upkeep, maintenance, development and presentation of the c.18 acres of ornamental enclosures and other horticultural areas managed by the Commission at Regent’s Park Estate and Carlton House Terrace. 

Salary:                                  £26,000 - £28,000 - dependent on qualifications and experience

The gardens team are responsible for the presentation of the Commission’s ornamental terrace gardens in line with the published planting principles, tree management strategy and garden visions.  The hard and soft landscaping elements of the gardens are maintained by the in-house team along with relevant specialist contractors.

Main duties

1. To undertake horticultural tasks that include border preparation and planting, pruning, mowing, edge cutting, hedge cutting and occasional landscaping tasks.
2. Work in a horticultural environment on their own initiative both in a team and alone. Identify plant health and undertake relevant cross-contamination preventative measures. Undertake shaping and pruning (with plant health as the main priority).
3. To undertake regular machine maintenance, pesticide application, litter and leaf clearance.
4. To maintain a high standard of horticultural practice in all tasks undertaken.
5. To take a full and active role in the care of the gardens by using initiative to report problems and suggest areas of improvement.
6. To play a full part in helping to produce gardens of high quality by following best practice to develop an aesthetically pleasing environment.
7. At all times to work safely with due regard to the safety of others and members of the public.
8. To comply with the Commission’s Health & Safety policy, all other internal/external Health & Safety regulations/Safe Systems of Work and ensure day to day risk assessments of routine works are carried out.
9. Report all potential hazards, defective tools or incidents.

Other duties

1. The post holder will be expected to carry out from time to time any other duties as instructed. Experience or willingness to drive a company van in central London traffic.

Skills and aptitude required

Knowledge and Training:

• Excellent general horticultural knowledge and plant base
• First Aid certificate
• Excellent time management skills Good pruning skills Good plant identification skills Understanding of common pests and diseases plus relevant preventative and treatment methods (being ecologically friendly)
• Practical application of Health & Safety best practice
• Minimum horticultural qualification to Level 2 (NVQ/RHS or equivalent) Full UK driving licence
• Knowledge of plant and tree disorders
• Spraying certificates PA1 & PA6a
• Wide horticultural interests

Ability to:

• Deal calmly, courteously, efficiently but firmly with residents, consultants, contractors and others
• Cope with a demanding workload, working flexibly and collaboratively as part of a small team
• Manage time and priorities effectively Be a people person - personable, well mannered and presentable Excellent hands-on horticultural and plant identification skills Ability to handle successful interactions with residents and the public Good knowledge of garden equipment and machinery, its safe operation and maintenance
• Understanding of hard landscaping techniques
• Commute to central London