Balnagown Estate is looking to appoint a dynamic and motivated individual to join our Forest and Grounds team. The ideal candidate will be skilled in gardening/grounds maintenance and genuinely interested in managing the landscape for nature's benefit.
Location: Balnagown Estate, Kildary, Invergordon
Salary: £25,000-£28,500 per annum
Full-time, 36.5 hours per week. (With emergency out of hours as and when required.)
About the Estate
Balnagown Estate ) is a 39,000ac family owned estate with farming, forestry, natural capital and holiday let enterprises as well as a portfolio of rented houses, farms, crofts, commercial and sporting tenancies.
The Role
The successful candidate will report to the Forest and Grounds Manager and will be responsible for carrying out delegated tasks relating to the maintenance and development of a diverse range of outdoor spaces including woodlands, gardens and agricultural boundaries.
These tasks will include:
* Grass cutting, strimming, hedge cutting, weeding, planting
* Identifying 'right plant in right place'
* Unsure plants are pruned correctly and at appropriate time of year
* Tree planting and weeding, fertilising and beating up
* Tree felling and firewood processing for internal use
* Fence, road, drain and other infrastructure maintenance
* Snow clearance and gritting
* Basic vehicle maintenance
* Assistance in other areas of the estate as may be required
The team at Balnagown Estate are looking for a motivated individual with a strong work ethic, a can-do attitude, excellent time keeping and a great eye for detail.
This role will include working with other members of the Forestry and Grounds team, or independently when necessary. This a hands-on role which will require the candidate to be physically fit.
Due to the scale of the estate, you must be organised, capable of thinking ahead and be prepared to communicate with your team members to carry out projects efficiently.
Qualifications and Experience
Required
You must have experience in gardening, grounds maintenance, and be confident using tools and machinery.
You must also have a full driving licence and experience of using tractors/implements and trailers, a good understanding of Health & Safety at Work regulations in relation to machinery operation and manual handling and be prepared to undertake additional training as considered necessary.
Desirable
The ideal candidate will have experience working in the forestry and agricultural sector.
As the successful candidate will be operating machinery including chainsaws, tractor-mounted winch, mulcher, chipper, MEWPs, and other powered equipment, having up to date training certificates and experience would be advantageous, although training will be provided as necessary.
Other qualifications or experience in the handling of pesticides and herbicides, together with First Aid, fencing, vehicle and machine maintenance, etc., would be useful.
Closing date for application is 20/03/2026
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £25,000.00-£28,500.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Free parking
* Life insurance
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person