Senior Gardener - Penzance

The National Trust; Penzance; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent conservation organization is seeking a Senior Gardener in Penzance to manage and care for Trengwainton garden, ensuring its beauty and sustainability. Responsibilities include organizing maintenance schedules, leading volunteers, and engaging with visitors. Ideal candidates possess strong horticultural knowledge, supervisory experience, and are skilled in using garden machinery. This role offers a permanent, full-time contract with a substantial benefits package including a pension scheme and flexible working options.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme of up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Discounts on gym memberships and shopping

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working options

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Qualifications

• Combination of practical experience in horticulture with qualifications.
• Experience supervising others in a similar role.
• Knowledgeable about plants.
• Confident in using and maintaining garden machinery.
• Awareness of relevant health and safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Organise routine maintenance schedules with the Head Gardener.
• Ensure volunteers are trained and supported.
• Advocate for positive teamwork.
• Care for the plant collection and its development.
• Support across the wider garden team.

Skills

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

Education

Relevant horticulture qualifications

Tools

Chainsaws

Tractors

Hedge-trimmers

Mowers (walking and ride-on)

Job description

Senior Gardener – Penzance

Summary

Important notice
In line with our redeployment policy, we’ll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Gardener to join the team in the West Cornwall group, managing and caring Trengwainton with the flexibility of supporting our garden at Godolphin.

• Salary :
• 28,132.65 per annum
• Contract :
• Permanent
• Hours / working pattern :
• Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

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 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 the 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 a 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.

Please also read the full role profile attached to this advert.

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
• Team supervision and volunteer support
• Machinery use and safety compliance
• Project and programme delivery
• Resource and budget awareness
• Visitor and stakeholder engagement

Additional criteria for all other applicants

-

• somes 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 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

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