Groundsperson

Job Description

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Groundsperson / Gardener to join the beautiful grounds and gardens of a property located in Devon. The owners have plans to develop the existing landscape and it is their intention to eventually open the gardensto the public.The mature grounds total seventy-acres with approximately five-acres of formal gardens which incorporate an abundance of fruit trees, mixed beds and borders, hedges and mature trees. The outstanding features of the grounds include a 0.5 acre terraced walledkitchen garden, a walled garden enclosing a swimming pool and a small lake. The Groundsperson / Gardener will work in conjunction with the owners and with the help of additional external contractors and experts to rejuvenate and maintain any existing featuresof the gardens. Approximately fifty acres are rented out to a local farmer and there is a part time gardener who would be working alongside the Groundsperson / Gardener.Our client seeks a highly skilled Groundsperson / Gardener to help maintain the gardens on a year-round basis and engage in projects to rejuvenate and enhance any existing features. Applicants should ideally possess an academic horticultural qualification,such as an RHS level 2 or equivalent, combined with several years of previous experience working in a similar role. As such, excellent plant knowledge and technical skills are essential for this position. General maintenance duties will include but are notlimited to preparing the beds for planting (including weeding fertilising and mulching), pruning of fruit trees, trees and shrubs, weeding, composting, mowing (both push and ride on mowers), training fruit trees, tying back plants, strimming and edging.Our client applies a strictly organic approach when it comes to be the grounds and gardens. As such, an in-depth knowledge of these practises is essential for this position, such as pest control using organic means. In addition, the successful candidatemust have extensive knowledge of trees, hedges and shrubs in terms of their appropriate ongoing care and maintenance.As this is a physically demanding position, applicants should be confident working at height, physically fit and with a can do attitude. A full, clean UK driving license, previous experience in the use and maintenance of a wide range of gardening and groundsmachinery, including chainsaw certification, are a requirement for this position.In addition to gardening responsibilities, the successful candidate will be expected to clean the swimming pool through chlorination and clearing of debris, feed and clean out for a small flock of hens and other property maintenance related tasks such asclearing of the gutters, painting of fences and gates and maintenance of the greenhouse. As such, this is a physically demanding position which requires a fit and strong individual who is also flexible in their work to provide assistance around the gardensand grounds when required.The hours of work for this position are 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday and will require the supervision of any external contractors as well as working with a part time gardener. This position presents the opportunity to work alongside various experts and the ownersas they progress in the development of both the gardens and grounds.For this position, the successful candidate will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement at the clients request.SALARY: Up to £35,000 depending on experienceLOCATION: Near TorquayJOB No: EC44614If this Groundsperson vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Bevan Andrews.Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Groundsperson 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 applicationfor this Groundsperson vacancy will have been unsuccessful.

Keyskills :
GardeningHorticulture