Summary

As a Gardener for the National Trust, you’ll be a hands-on member of the garden team, involved in every aspect of gardening at Nostell. 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. 

Salary: £27,612 per annum

Contract Duration: Permanent 

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Working Pattern: You will work 5 out of 7 days per week, including weekend and Bank Holiday cover  

What it's like to work here

You will be working as part of a team comprising of two Gardeners and a Senior Gardener. We also work with up to four volunteers, three days a week. You may also work alongside the Parkland Team on occasion. Members of the Gardening Team report directly to the Senior Gardener. 

You will be working solely at Nostell, which is located seven miles from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 1QE. The job is primarily outdoors, in all weather, all year round. As the seasons change, so do the tasks, which include compost making, seed sowing, mulching, edging and weeding, grass cutting, strimming, re-laying paths, pruning fruit trees, to name just a few. 

Training and Development opportunities may be highlighted through the PDR (Professional Development Review) system.

What you'll be doing

You'll be helping to keep the Gardenin tiptop condition every day. This might involve daily checks to make sure all areas are safe for people visiting, routine tasks such as weeding, pruning and mulching, and using machinery such as hedge cutters, leaf blowers, lawnmowers and tractors.  

Other duties might include propagation and tree safety work. You may be involved in recycling and managing waste, along with the rest of the Garden Team. 

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You?don't?need to have?all?the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of?what’s?possible in this role.? 

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you’re: 

• An experienced gardener, holding a Level 2 NVQ or RHS equivalent and a background in hard landscaping
• Knowledgeable about plants, with a great eye for detail
• Experienced with machinery, including tractors, chainsaws, rotary and cylinder mowers, including a good working knowledge of 4-stroke, 2-stroke and battery-operated equipment, and some knowledge of maintenance
• A driver with a full licence
• Able to manage a demanding outdoor role, carrying out a wide range of practical gardening tasks in all conditions
• Hold relevant chainsaw certifications (tickets), ideally covering maintenance, cross-cutting and felling
• Good at talking to, and getting on with, all kinds of people
• Equally confident working within a team, with volunteers or on your own, and 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

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.