Skilled Gardener – Part Time

ECG Limited; Dorking; On-site; GBP 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A local gardening service near Dorking is seeking a Skilled Gardener to maintain beautiful private estate gardens. This part-time role requires strong plant knowledge and a self-motivated individual able to manage a large garden. Candidates should possess a horticultural qualification and experience in private estates. The position offers flexibility in working days and a competitive salary based on a 3-day week.

Benefits

12 days of holiday

Flexible working days

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a private estate setting.
• Proven track record of managing a large mature English country garden.
• Flexibility to extend duties as needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct general maintenance duties including pruning and weeding.
• Use and maintain a wide range of gardening machinery.
• Work year-round to maintain the gardens.

Skills

Strong plant knowledge

Technical skills in compost management

Self-motivated and organized

Physically fit

Education

Academic horticultural qualification (e.g., RHS Level 2)

Tools

Gardening machinery maintenance skills

Job description

Overview

Skilled Gardener – Part Time

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and hands-on gardener to join a beautiful private estate near Dorking, Surrey. The current gardener is leaving after 15 years with the owners. This permanent, part-time position offers the chance to work within well-established gardens, in a stunning rural setting. We are seeking a skilled gardener local to the area, available to work 3 days per week. The role is offered on a PAYE basis.

Over the years the 4-acre gardens have been redesigned by one of the UK’s most celebrated garden and landscape designers, Chris Beardshaw. The gardens feature multiple garden rooms, a large kitchen garden, an orchard, formal lawns, wildflower meadow, herbaceous borders, formal topiary, and a promenade of pleached lime trees and a swimming pool garden. The owners welcome ideas from the Skilled Gardener regarding further development of the gardens; candidates with a creative flair are welcomed.

Responsibilities

• General maintenance duties including pruning, propagating, weeding, edging, crop rotation, seasonal mulch and compost management.
• Use and maintenance of a wide range of gardening machinery; maintain machinery between services.
• Desirable: PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates and a chainsaw certification.
• Work year-round to maintain the gardens following the annual calendar.

Qualifications & Skills

• Academic horticultural qualification (e.g., RHS Level 2 or equivalent) and extensive experience in a private estate setting.
• Strong plant knowledge and technical skills in compost management, propagation, spraying, weeding and rejuvenating beds.
• Self-motivated, organized, with a proven track record of managing a large mature English country garden.
• Strong work ethic, willingness to work to consistently high standards, flexibility to extend duties as needed.
• Physically fit and able to work in all weathers.

Working pattern & Benefits

Preferred working days: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; however the owners may be flexible. Working hours are 8:00am – 4:00pm. Holiday entitlement: 12 days. Applicants should live within commuting distance and have a full driving licence with their own transport.

Salary & Location

Salary: £25,000 (Based on a 3-day week; full-time salary indicated as approximately £40,000)

Location: Dorking, Surrey

Other requirements

Applicants must be loyal and trustworthy and exercise discretion to respect the owners’ privacy. The successful candidate will be subject to extensive reference checks and a DBS check.

How to apply

If this Skilled Gardener – Part Time vacancy is of interest, please click Apply for job below or contact Sophie Sharpe on 01233 733510 or email [e-mail]. To apply you will need a Candidate Registration. To find out how your personal data is used in our work finding services, please view our privacy policy.

Thank you for your interest in this vacancy. Due to high application volumes, we are not able to respond to every applicant. If you have not heard from us within 14 days, your application has been unsuccessful.

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