Assistant Gardener

Job Description

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.Youll 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 makesyour role vital in making sure they have an amazing experience. What its like to work here Join our friendly and knowledgeable team of six Gardeners and 20 Garden Volunteers working in beautiful surroundings and share you passion for gardening with our many visitors. Reporting to the Head Gardener, youll be given tasks by them or one of the SeniorGardeners.There will be many opportunities for you to improve your gardening skills, working alongside your colleagues and attending the many training courses the Trust has to offer. Packwood has a wide variety of horticultural disciplines from: trimmingyew trees and hedges in our amazing Yew Garden to working in our renowned Mingled style borders and 18th century Kitchen Garden. Youll be periodically asked to help our extensive property team with a hands on approach when times get busy. The opportunitiesat Packwood will enable you to develop a good career gardening with the National Trust as so many before have done. Click here for more information about this location What youll be doing Youll assist in making sure that the gardens are maintained to a high standard and be enthused by plants. As the Assistant Gardener, there will be a wide variety of work, including a range of practical horticultural tasks to develop, enhance and conservethe garden and contribute to the delivery of projects. Youll be helping with hard and soft landscaping and general maintenance of the garden, such as mulching, pruning, leaf clearing and weeding. Youll support with the planting and maintenance of trees,shrubs, herbaceous plants. Youll also be helping to cut the hedges and mow our fine lawns.Assisting the Garden Volunteers, youll support and help them to make the most of their time here. Youll be expected to interact with the public on a daily basis, answering the many questions, or help out with gardening workshops, tours and helping setup events when needed.As part of this role youll 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 were 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

• Youll have an NVQ 1-2 in Amenity Horticulture (or equivalent).

The package The National Trust has the motto For everyone, for ever at its heart. Were working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. Its important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audienceswe serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say were for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

• Free entry to National Trust properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Tax free childcare scheme

• Rental deposit loan scheme

• Season ticket loan

• Perks at work discounts i.e. gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Employee assistance programme

• Free parking at most locations

• Independent financial advice

Click here to find out moreabout the benefits we offer to support you.