Gardener - Robertsbridge

The National Trust; Robertsbridge; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent heritage organization is seeking a Gardener in Robertsbridge to maintain gardens and historic landscape areas. This role requires practical horticulture skills, knowledge of machinery, and the ability to work effectively with a team. The successful candidate will be involved in daily gardening tasks, ensuring visitor safety, and enhancing the overall garden experience. Offering a supportive environment with various perks, including a substantial pension scheme and flexible working.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Season ticket loan

Flexible working options

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic horticulturist and hands-on gardener with hard landscaping experience.
• Knowledgeable about plants with a great eye for detail.
• Experienced with machinery and some maintenance knowledge.
• Able to manage a demanding outdoor role and work within a team.

Responsibilities

• Maintain gardens and historic parkland in excellent condition.
• Daily safety checks and routine gardening tasks.
• Involvement in propagation, tree safety work, and garden design.
• Manage recycling and waste with the garden team.

Skills

Practical horticulture and plant care

Machinery use and safety compliance

Teamwork and volunteer support

Communication and public engagement

Tools

Tractors

Chainsaws

Mowers

Job description

Gardener - Robertsbridge

Summary

• Importantnotice
• In line with ourredeployment policy,we’llprioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

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 Smallhythe Place, Lamb House and Bodiam Castle. 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, bank holidays and evenings.This role is annualised, working a seasonal pattern of 5 days per week from April 1 to 30th September, and 3 days per week from 1st October to 31st March.

What it's like to work here

The portfolio consists of four uniquely different properties; Bateman's with its garden firmly based within the Art's & Crafts movement, Bodiam Castle, a historic landscape with a relict designed parkland, Smallhythe Place a charming English country garden featuring a traditional rose garden, orchard and nuttery and Lamb House with one of the largest walled gardens in Rye.

What you'll be doing

You'll be helping the Senior Gardener to keep both gardens and historic parkland 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, lawnmowers and tractors.

Other duties might include propagation, cutting flowers for the house, preparing plants for sale, tree safety work and garden design and restoration . You may be involved in recycling and managing waste, along with the rest of the garden team.

Who we're looking for

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below :

• Practical horticulture and plant care
• Teamwork and volunteer support
• Machinery use and safety compliance
• Work programme and project support
• Communication and public engagement

Criteria for all other applicants : 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 machinery, including tractors, chainsaws, rotary and cylinder mowers, and 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

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