As a Gardener for the National Trust, you’ll be a hands-on member of the garden team, involved in every aspect of gardening at Overbecks. As an experienced gardening professional, you'll be responsible for day-to-day maintenance, and the highest standards of horticulture, you’ll also play a vital role in improving the experience of visitors to the garden and wider estate.
You may be asked to work occasional weekends and bank holidays.
There is flexibility in the working pattern likely to be a Wednesday and 1 other day, to be discussed at interview.
The advertised salary for this role will be in effect from 1st April
What it's like to work here
You’ll be reporting to the head gardener, working in a team of one full time, one other part time gardener and a team of willing volunteers, at Overbecks Garden in the South and East Devon portfolio.
As a small team, we work very closely together across the 3.5 acre garden which is on terraces cut into the cliff above the Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary. Due to the terrain, this particular garden can be quite physically demanding, with much of it reliant on small machinery, power tools and manual mechanics. We would love to have someone join us who will enjoy being part of an established team, willing to tackle jobs using hand tools and people power, and with some experience of landscape work as well as horticultural qualifications. A passion for sharing plant knowledge, beauty and nature with our visitors is also required.
Situated in the popular holiday destination of Salcombe, Overbecks has a stunning cliff-top location overlooking the estuary and coast. The subtropical garden is a unique visitor attraction with plenty of opportunities for staff to be creative in this space.
You are likely to need your own transport to get here, however this is a rare opportunity to join a small, friendly team in beautiful and unusual location.
What you'll be doing
You'll be helping to keep the garden Overbecks in tiptop condition every day. This might involve daily checks to make sure all areas are safe for people visiting, routine tasks such as weeding, pruning and mulching, and using machinery such as hedge cutters, leaf blowers, and lawnmowers.
Due to the lack of space available at Overbecks we do not have access to heavy machinery, making this a physically demanding role.
Other duties might include propagation, tree safety work and garden design and restoration.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
Who we're looking for
We'd love to hear from you if you’re:
* an enthusiastic horticulturist and hands-on gardener, who’s worked with hard landscaping before
* knowledgeable about plants, with a great eye for detail.
* experienced with garden machinery, with some knowledge of maintenance
* a driver with a full licence
* able to manage a demanding outdoor role
* good at talking to, and getting on with, all kinds of people
* equally confident working within a team, with volunteers or on your own
* able to keep to time, plan and meet deadlines
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re 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 places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as 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 Trust places