Gardening jobs in Whitehaven

The Company

Magnificently set in the secluded splendour of 400 acres of deer park and woodland, bordered by the calming waters of Bassenthwaite Lake and framed by the dramatic Skiddaw Mountain and Lake District Fells, Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa is as romantic as the surrounding countryside. As one of the original stately homes of England and a wonderful luxury Spa hotel in the Lake District, it is the perfect location for a spa break or a Lake District wedding.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Senior Gardener to take day to day responsibility for the maintenance and enhancement of our gardens, grounds and green spaces. The ideal candidate will have previous experience of managing and maintaining landscapes working in a country hotel or heritage property and will have a passion for gardening, horticulture and arboriculture. You'll have a keen eye for detail, an understanding of seasonal and display planting schemes and and will demonstrate an interest in developing the parkland offer further for our guests.

What you'll do

• Work with Senior Management Team to implement and execute annual work schedules addressing maintenance issues, planting schemes, arboriculture and landscape development
• Carry out pruning, planting, propagation, border management, and soil improvement
• Ensure lawned areas are maintained to a high standard through mowing, scarifying, aerating and feeding
• Manage growth of formal/informal hedges and topiary, maintaining optical standards of shrubberies and curated curtilages
• Ensure hard landscaping - paths, drives and walkways – are edged, clear of debris and functionally safe
• Carry out regular maintenance and repair to garden furniture, benches, fences and walls
• Monitor plant health and maintain up to date records of pests/diseases and the use of organic or approved chemical treatments
• Carry out regular inspections of grounds to identify and remove poisonous plants and moulds
• Maintain Grounds Storerooms ensuring tools, equipment and substances are stored safely in compliance with COSHH standards, any protective coverings are used and tools are accessible
• Operate, service, and maintain garden tools and machinery (mowers, strimmers, hedge cutters, and tractors)
• Collaborate with Executive Chef and Directors to cultivate produce as required such as flowers, vegetables, fruit etc
• Guide and mentor gardeners, volunteers and groundworkers

What you'll bring

• You'll have demonstrable experience of working as a hands-on Senior or Head Gardener in a rural estate or country hotel environment
• You'll be able to provide practical examples of planting schemes, landscape management practices and grounds keeping expertise
• You'll have previous experience of working with - and maintaining - hand tools and power tools such as hedge trimmers, blowers, chainsaws and lawnmowers
• You'll be able to explain how you've managed COSHH and HSE standards associated with grounds management
• You'll have a solid background in gardening techniques including planting, pruning, fertilizing, pest control and soil management
• You'll have a flair and an interest in designing seasonal and occasional landscape schemes (i.e. Christmas) and a practical understanding of project and budget management

What we offer

Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa is a family owned business that thrives on providing a great experience to our guests. We achieve this through working as a single dedicated team and our benefits package reflects our commitment to being an Employer Of Choice

• Competitive basic salary
• 28 days holiday allowance
• Flexible working patterns
• Eligible to join Service Charge Scheme - a share in discretionary tips & charges
• Discounted meals at Hotel Restaurants and 2-4-1- Afternoon Teas
• Access to Perkbox Discount Portal offering real time discounts on high street and retail products & services
• Free parking
• Professional Uniform
• Access to Spa & Swimming Pool
• Discounted rates at all Pride of Britain hotels
• Free entry to Lake District Wildlife Park

Pay: £33,000.00-£34,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site gym
• On-site parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bassenthwaite CA12: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• Landscape maintenance: 5 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person