We'd love to hear from you if you’re: 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 GardenerAs a Gardener for the National Trust in South Down, you’ll be a hands-on member of the garden team, involved in every aspect of gardening at Castle Ward. 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. Helping to deliver on our garden management plan you’ll be an essential member of the garden team reporting directly to the Countryside Manager. You’ll play a key role leading and supporting leading the volunteer team. Positive visitor engagement and interaction will be an important part of this role.You’ll play a key role in delivering our garden management plans, maintain and enhance high presentation for the gardens. You will play a key role in our events and programming plan whilst working with our team to develop our interpretation for the gardens and parklandThe 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 more about the benefits we offer to support you. NIJOBSClosing Date: 24 August 2025 We do not accept CVs or covering letters for Northern Ireland vacancies. Please fill out the online application form on the National Trust Jobs website. We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applicants regardless of religious beliefs, political opinion, race, sex, marital status, age or disability. To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.ukIf you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.Equal Opportunities Statement The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here. Safeguarding Statement The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre. Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early. 165627IRC165627DownpatrickFixed Term p/t (30 hrs pw to 30/12/25)Ends: Aug 24th 235.3 mi from AberdeenStrategically perched on the perfect vantage point within Castle Ward Bay and overlooking Strangford Lough, Castle Ward’s gardens are one of the best examples of 18th Century gardens in Northern Ireland. This stunning demesne boasts a Victorian sunken garden, a rock garden, a large walled garden and the and the unique Temple Water, a man-made canal which is the largest ornamental garden feature to survive in Ireland from the early 18th Century.Salary: £13.74 per hour.Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 30-Dec-2025Hours/ Working patterns: Part-time, 30 hours per week. This role will involve working some weekends, bank holidays and evenings. Interview date: 1st September 2025Castle Ward, Strangford, Downpatrick, BT30 7LSCompliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK13.74 per hour