Summary
We're looking for an enthusiastic gardener to join our small garden team who are passionate about the care and appearance of the garden. Team working with our 45+ enthusiastic and committed volunteers is a key aspect of our work at Hughenden as we continue to incorporate sustainable work practices and creative ways of encouraging nature into a formal garden setting.
This role is an exciting opportunity to build and broaden your gardening knowledge and experience, potentially providing a stepping stone to managing your own small garden in the future.
What it's like to work here
Hughenden Manor Garden is a hidden jewel in the Chilterns Landscape yet well known and loved by local communities on its doorstep. A typical Victorian garden it was designed by Benjamin Disraeli’s wife Mary Anne who embraced the Italianate style with features inspired by her love of bright colours and Disraeli’s fondness for trees.
The garden provides our visitors with a rich experience in a small space with a diverse range of planting styles including pleasure grounds, terrace borders and parterre, a walled garden and orchard with over 52 different apple varieties. We also work closely with the Ranger team who manage the adjacent woodlands and park land.
What you'll be doing
As a hands-on Gardener with a keen interest in plants and horticulture, you’ll be contributing to keeping high presentation standards in the gardens and enjoy sharing this and your enthusiasm for horticulture with our visitors.
This role will include a wide range of practical horticultural tasks to enhance and conserve the garden and help with the delivery of projects. You'll also assist in specialist pruning, mowing, propagation and hedge trimming as well as looking after the health of the plants and maintaining machinery.
Supported by the Senior Gardener, you’ll undertake the daily work planning and help the garden volunteers make the most of their time here. You'll be involved in planning and setting up of any garden events and tours as required.
You'll be a part of the property Day Manager rota which will involve working one weekend every six weeks. Time off in lieu is given for weekend working.
Who we're looking for
We'd love to hear from you if you’re:
1. an enthusiastic horticulturist and hands-on gardener, who’s worked with hard landscaping before
2. knowledgeable about plants, with a great eye for detail.
3. experienced with machinery, including tractors, chainsaws, rotary and cylinder mowers, and with some knowledge of maintenance
4. a driver with a full licence
5. able to manage a demanding outdoor role
6. good at talking to, and getting on with, all kinds of people
7. equally confident working within a team, with volunteers or on your own
8. 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 (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
•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