Assistant Gardener

ASVA: Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A conservation organization in the UK is seeking a Horticultural Assistant to support the Head Gardener in enhancing visitor enjoyment at Hill of Tarvit Mansion. The role involves assisting with horticultural duties including grass cutting, planting, and weeding, while also maintaining the grounds and responding to visitor inquiries. Candidates should have a valid UK driving licence and previous experience in horticulture or groundskeeping. This role will enhance your gardening skills while working in a beautiful environment with occasional supervision of volunteers.

Qualifications

• Full Driving Licence valid for the UK is essential.
• Experience in general amenity horticulture is essential.
• Some practical knowledge of Health and Safety processes.

Responsibilities

• Assist with horticultural duties to enhance visitor enjoyment.
• Maintain safety and enjoyment of the site.
• Assist with general property maintenance tasks.

Skills

General amenity horticulture

Use of hand tools

Health and Safety knowledge

Visitor engagement

Time management

Education

Full Driving Licence

PA1 & PA6 for working with pesticides

Tools

Ride on mowers

Strimmers

Hand tools (forks, rakes, loppers)

Job description

Organisation: The National Trust for Scotland

Location: Hill of Tarvit Mansion & Gardens, by Cupar, KY15 5PB

JOB PURPOSE

Under direction of Head Gardener working primarily at Hill of Tarvit helping to enhance the visitor enjoyment of the environment around the mansion house. There will be occasional joining up with the garden team at Kellie Castle, and Balmerino Abbey to help undertake ongoing work there.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Assisting with horticultural duties to deliver the optimum aesthetic standards expected with the safety and enjoyment of all who use the site paramount. Activities include:

• Grass cutting, strimming, hedge-cutting and the raking up or collections afterwards.
• Cutting of lawn edges.
• Hand weeding of borders.
• Pruning wall plants, those in borders and elsewhere.
• Planting out (under direction of Head Gardener).
• Application of mulches.

Assisting with general property maintenance. Activities include:

• Litter picking.
• Maintaining paths
• Use of bonfire to dispose of unhealthy plant material.

Assisting as required with the general enjoyment of the walled garden and surrounding woodland by:

• Responding to general visitor enquiries.
• Answering basic horticultural enquiries from visitors.
• Assisting at events held across the Fife properties
• Vegetable production

Ensuring compliance with The Trust’s Health, Safety and Environmental policies and procedures to ensure safety of staff, volunteers and visitors and where practicable, sustainable horticulture.

Working with volunteers to ensure they deliver required outcomes to the appropriate standard, and ensure they benefit from their volunteering.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications

Essential

• Full Driving Licence, valid for driving within the UK.
• No formal educational qualifications required.

Desirable

• PA1 & PA6 for working with pesticides.

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience in general amenity horticulture or groundskeeping.
• Experienced user of a wide range of hand tools and basic machinery.
• Confidence and competence to politely engage with visitors, staff and contractors, to represent the National Trust for Scotland when speaking with visitors.
• Some practical knowledge of Health and Safety processes and the ability to work effectively within them.
• Good personal organisational and time management skills - including the ability to prioritise work where necessary.
• Capable and comfortable with unsupervised lone working and equally able to work as part of a team.

Desirable

• A genuine love for gardening and garden maintenance.
• Experience of working in a garden open to the public.
• Competence and confidence in use of ride on mowers.

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB

People Management

No line managerial responsibilities however will on occasion, supervise volunteers under instructions from Head Gardener.
Will work closely with neighbouring property colleagues, will have occasional contact with advisory colleagues and specialist contractors.
Will have regular interactions with visitors with a wide range of ages and abilities. This will include families and professionals who walk dogs.

Finance Management

Not a budget holder.

Tools / equipment

Frequent use of ride on grass cutting machinery expected, infrequent use of strimmer or similar powered tools.
Frequent use of hand tools such as forks, rakes, loppers and secateurs.