Gardener

Job Description

Summary The varied, tranquil gardens of Ightham Mote provide a beautiful setting for the stunning 700-year-old moated manor house that nestles within its valley and surrounding landscape.Youll play an important part within our teams role to conserve and develop the potential of the garden while ensuring the special character and heritage of Ightham Mote continues. You will be responsible for supporting the volunteers and staff in maintaininghigh standards of conservation and horticulture, planning and delivery of work, resources and developments and helping to provide a great visitor experience.This role is a fantastic opportunity for someone with good gardening knowledge, skill and experience seeking to develop their career working to conserve an attractive heritage garden with even greater potential within an enthusiastic friendly team. What its like to work here With its secluded valley and medieval water system providing the setting for the picturesque mansion and lovely gardens, it is easy to see why visitors, volunteers and staff love the friendly, peaceful atmosphere of Ightham Mote.The garden is increasingly valued as a reason to visit and has huge potential, we want to extend our conservation work to include more garden areas in the story of Ightham Motes 700-year history and enhance our visitors experience throughout the year.We have a charming mix of formal lawns and gardens, with spring-fed fountain pools, courtyards, herbaceous borders, cottage gardens and an orchard. Beyond these are informal pleasure grounds with a stream, two small lakes and cascades, lawns, trees, andmeadow areas. Here planting of ornamental and indigenous plants gradually blends into the woodland surroundings.As a member of the wider property, you will work with a close, hard-working team, which delivers at pace and has high ambitions and vision. We are entering an exciting period in the Trusts care of Ightham Mote particularly for the garden team. We have carriedout improvement work on the paths around the pleasure grounds to open future conservation opportunities, the team will be moving to a new base and our visitor infrastructure project will provide new visitor facilities and free cars from the rest of the walledcar park to become a project to restore it back to a walled garden.Ightham Mote & North Kent portfolio includes Ightham Mote as our flagship and in addition several hidden gems of Kentish history, such as Cobham, Hawkwood & Petts Wood, Oldbury and Old Soar Manor. Covering 2,500 acres of Kent Countryside, there are 33 staffand 500 volunteers, actively involved across all sites and covering all disciplines.We are located a little off the beaten track so youre likely to need your own transport.Please refer to the background information document attached to this advertClick here for more information about this location What youll be doing Youll love working outdoors, have a passion for gardening and a feel for the spirit of place andwhatour visitors enjoy about the gardens at Ightham Mote. As a hands-on Gardener, youll work with our volunteers and staff in making sure that the gardensare maintained to a high standard. Youll be a supportive and enthusiastic team member willing to share your skills and knowledge about the variety of areas, plants, and wildlife within the garden.This role will involve carrying out and supervising a wide range of practical horticultural tasks to develop, enhance and conserve the garden, deliver projects and provide a great visitor experience This will include cutting hedges, mowing lawns, mulching,pruning, leaf clearing and weeding. Youll support garden conservation and developmentby clearing and restoring overgrown areas andplanting and maintaining ornamental and nativetrees, shrubs, andherbaceous plants.Youll takeresponsibility for managing and organising the teams work in different areas of the garden ensuring the highest standards are maintained andthere are interesting views and displays of plantsfor our visitors to enjoy. Supporting ourgardenvolunteers to make the most of their time here will be an important and rewarding part of your job; as willinteracting with the public, answeringtheir questions, helping withworkshops, tours,events and collaborating with other teams and our community.Please submit a CV and Cover Letter with your online application.Please also read the role profile information attached to this advert. Who were looking for To be successful in this role you should be able to demonstrate the below:

• Experience as a professional gardener and/or RHS Level 2 or equivalent horticulture qualification.
• Proven practical gardening experience and a good knowledge of plants and horticultural techniques.
• Confidence to lead garden volunteers, talk to visitors and participate in garden activities and events.
• Competence with use and maintenance of a range of tools and machinery such as mowers, hedge trimmers, strimmers, tractors; preferably with accreditation required for Health and Safety compliance.

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.Wherever youre from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from youand it doesnt matter if youre jam first, cream first, or even if you dont like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

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

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

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