Castle Gardener with horticultural experience
3 Days (approx. 20 hours) per week, must include Fridays.
Please attach your Cover Letter to your application
Pentillie Castle (built in 1698) is a family-run private estate set in the middle of a Repton designed woodland clad landscape with formal terraces and herbaceous borders set on the Cornish bank of the River Tamar. The views from the gardens and estate over the surrounding landscape framed by the trees are simply stunning.
The role of Castle Gardener for the Pentillie Estate will be responsible for planning and leading day-to-day management and maintenance of the 55 acre woodland spring gardens. The role is multi-disciplinary and encompasses the development of the formal garden area, including the herbaceous borders, seasonal planters, the American Gardens, other informal pleasure grounds areas, the house plants, the greenhouses, and walled garden.
You will have a passion for and good knowledge of plants, and a good understanding of seasonal requirements and developments within the garden. You will be a hard worker, passionate about gardens and opening them up to a wider audience, and happy to work within a small and friendly team.
Across the property: As Castle Gardener you will work both with, and independently of the current team. This consists of two regular part-time gardeners, a small but enthusiastic volunteer team of gardeners, and a regular part-time gardener/estate worker. You will also liaise with the office team regarding Castle bookings.
As the Castle Gardener, you will ensure the gardens and other outdoor areas are developed and maintained to the highest appropriate and relevant horticultural, environmental, and professional standards. You will be required to plan planting schemes for seasonal variation and interest with the family, to plan gardening schedules and to plan the volunteer program of activities.
For our guests and visitors: You will lead your team and work in association with the office to ensure visitors and guests at Pentillie Castle can receive the best possible experience in all of our outdoor spaces. It is essential to lead a culture of good customer service within your team. You will be required to support the social media presence of the Estate with timely updates from the gardens.
Finance: You will monitor spend associated with the department and ensure that any recommended purchases are made with care and consideration. You will have input on all fixed asset purchases and replacements in the department and ensure that the best possible assets are acquired taking performance, efficiency and our environment into consideration.
The team: You will lead a small team of gardeners and volunteers with passion and pride. You will manage and support your team to develop in a way that will benefit them and the place. You will ensure your team members work within safe boundaries and comply with all statutory compliance recommendations. This role is a key role on the estate and will work with all departments to ensure the success of the property.
The relationships:
Reports to: The Coryton Family, mainly Sarah
Line management: Castle Gardener, Gardener/Estate Worker, Volunteers
Essential relationships: Other Castle team members, Estate tenants, Contractors and Gamekeeper.
What you will bring to benefit Pentillie:
* RHS Level 2 or equivalent
* At least 3 years experience in a similar environment and role
* Excellent understanding of the support required across the various disciplines of a functioning estate like Pentillie Castle and a proven experience working in and understanding of a historic garden with diverse elements.
* An understanding of the seasonal requirements of the role, e.g. summer watering and timely pruning of different species.
* A willingness to build relationships with appropriate external groups and organisations, like the Cornish Gardens Trust, RHS, the National Trust etc.
* Good communication skills with the family and your team as well as the wider Castle team.
* An open-mind with regard to leading or supporting occasional tours of the Repton garden landscape.
* Experience in assessing risk and Health and Safety in a similar environment.
* You will demonstrate experience in the use of garden machinery both hand-held and ride-on with some basic knowledge of the maintenance requirements of these.
* You will bring a very practical approach to work, and interest and passion for plants and the ability to identify and organise the seasonal needs of the various elements in the gardens and estate at Pentillie. This will include; some lawn care, annual pruning regimes, and restorative pruning techniques, border & planter design and sourcing, hedge cutting, hard surface care and maintenance.
Requirements for role:
* RHS Level 2
* 3-4 days a week hours) which can be fitted within school hours. Although there may be occasions where the demands of the estate business require a little support outside these hours, e.g. summer watering
* Enthusiasm and great communication skills
* A UK full driving license will be required as will the willingness to drive estate vehicles on the public highway on occasion.
In return you will receive :
* A competitive rate of pay commensurate with experience
* The option to be employed or self-employed
* A supportive and collaborative team environment with regular get togethers
* Tips shared across the whole team, including the garden team
* Supportive & passionate leadership from the family
* Training opportunities
* Recreational access to the gardens, swimming pool and discounts on Pentillie events
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Expected hours: No more than 20 per week
Benefits:
* Company events
* Employee discount
* Free parking
* On-site parking
Application question(s):
* Do you have a RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture or an equivalent certificate?
Experience:
* Horticulture: 3 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
* Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: In person