Gardener jobs in Oswestry

Main Purpose: To take responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance, presentation and ongoing development of the estate gardens and immediate grounds, ensuring they are maintained to a consistently high horticultural standard while supporting the wider operational requirements of the estate.

An experienced gardener is required for a prestigious private estate on the North Shropshire/Wales border.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Maintaining formal gardens to a high horticultural standard

• Lawn care and seasonal maintenance

• Planting, propagation and development of planting schemes

• Weed, pest and disease control

• Pruning shrubs, trees and climbers

• Operating and maintaining horticultural machinery

• Maintaining paths, drives and hard landscaped areas

• Liaising with the garden designer and owners regarding future development

• Ordering plants, materials and consumables

The successful candidate will occasionally be required to undertake additional duties, including:

• Providing a general on-site presence that contributes to the security and smooth running of the household grounds particularly when the owners are away or off-site.

• Responding to alarm activations and attending the property where reasonably required when the owners are away or off-site.

• Basic care of animals, including feeding and checking on dogs and horses when required.

These duties form part of the overall estate support function and are expected to be undertaken on a reasonable and occasional basis.

The role requires a self-motivated individual capable of planning and managing their workload with minimal supervision while working collaboratively with the owners, external contractors and professional advisers. An enhanced DBS will be required. The role is based on a 35-hour week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Seasonal variations in working hours may be required to reflect the needs of the estate and will be agreed with the owners.

You should be of a cheerful and positive disposition, with a ‘can and will do’ attitude, to work with this family. The role is ideally suited to someone who is looking for a permanent and long-term post; and who would like to be a key part of the ongoing development of award winning gardens.

Knowledge, skills and experience:

Essential

• Experience in planning and prioritising seasonal horticultural work programmes.

• Minimum three years' practical horticultural experience

• Sound plant knowledge

• RHS Level 2, NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent)

• Full UK driving licence

• Ability to work independently

• Good communication skills

• Knowledge of health and safety requirements

• Experience maintaining machinery

• Experience supervising contractors or staff

Desirable

• RHS Level 3

• PA1 & PA6

• Chainsaw certification

• Tractor licence

• Irrigation knowledge

• Lake management experience

• Experience operating compact tractors and ride-on machinery

• Experience working on private estates

Suitable estate accommodation may be available for the successful candidate. Occupation would be linked to the employment and offered under a separate occupancy agreement at a reduced rent. Applicants who do not require accommodation are equally welcome to apply.

Pay: £33,500.00 per year

Work Location: In person