Senior Gardener

NATIONAL TRUST; England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent conservation organization in the UK is seeking a Senior Gardener to oversee operations at Trengwainton's distinctive garden. The role involves organizing maintenance schedules, leading volunteers, and ensuring safety compliance. Applicants should have practical horticulture experience, be skilled in machinery use, and possess qualifications in horticulture. The position offers a substantial pension scheme, free entry to National Trust sites, and flexible working opportunities.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Gym memberships and shopping discounts

Up to 32 days holiday allowance

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at Trust places

Qualifications

• Experience in practical horticulture.
• Skills in supervising a team and supporting volunteers.
• Knowledge of health and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of the gardens.
• Organize maintenance schedules with the Head Gardener.
• Train and support volunteers.

Skills

Practical horticulture and plant care

Team supervision

Visitor and stakeholder engagement

Confident in using garden machinery

Education

Appropriate horticultural qualifications

Tools

Chainsaws

Tractors

Hedge-trimmers

Mowers (walking and ride-on)

Job description

We are looking for someone to bring their passion, knowledge and expertise to help lead our garden teams in caring for this beautiful yet distinctive Cornish garden at Trengwainton. We want to welcome all our visitors and for them to enjoy the experience of visiting such a significant place and provide opportunities to join us in caring for our places. What it's like to work here Trengwainton is home to an important plant collection, which has continued to develop from its early twentieth century beginning and the historic families' passion for plants. The garden continues to flourish with the National Trust to this day. The extensive woodland garden also contains a walled garden that shelters some unusual and more tender plants and has areas of productive horticulture. Reporting to the Head Gardener, you'll hold accountability for day‑to‑day operations of the gardens. You'll help lead our volunteers and be responsible for the safety and compliance within the garden. What you'll be doing As Senior Gardener for the Trengwainton, you'll be in a key position, organising routine maintenance schedules agreed with the Head Gardener, and ensuring our volunteers are trained and supported. You'll have the chance to initiate new techniques and approaches, and be an advocate of positive teamwork, making the garden a fantastic place to work and thrive. You'll also care for the plant collection, ensuring its development and resilience. You'll be required to support across the wider garden team to ensure the care of our places in West Cornwall. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:

• Practical horticulture and plant care
• Team supervision and volunteer support
• Machinery use and safety compliance
• Project and programme delivery
• Resource and budget awareness
• Visitor and stakeholder engagement
  someone who combines practical experience in horticulture with appropriate qualifications
• used to supervising others in a similar role
• highly knowledgeable about plants
• confident in using and maintaining garden machinery, including chainsaws, tractors, hedge‑trimmers and mowers (both walking and ride‑on)
• aware of relevant health and safety legislation and practices
  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