Summary

If you want a career in Gardening, we can offer you some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the UK to work in.

You’ll love working outdoors and understand that our gardens and grounds are as significant as our mansion houses and our historical places. Our visitors tell us how much they enjoy the peace and tranquillity of our well-kept outdoor spaces, which makes your role vital in making sure they have an amazing experience.

This role is based on annualised hours, where the amount of hours you work each month may vary, however your salary will be paid in 12 equal instalments over the year

What it's like to work here

On the edge of Exmoor and a short distance from the coast Arlington Court is one of Britain’s best kept secrets. At the heart of the estate is a house with an eclectic collection including masses of model ships, piles of pewter and museum room of the last owner’s collectables. The stables now house the National Trust’s Carriage Collection. The formal and kitchen gardens are set a little way from the house while the pleasure grounds merge into the Park and wider countryside of plateaus dropping to steep sided, wooded valleys with rushing streams. It is a place of contrast and variety.

For more information about our property please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/arlington-court-and-the-national-trust-carriage-museum

What you'll be doing

You’ll assist in making sure that the gardens are maintained to a high standard and be passionate and enthused by plants. This role will include a range of practical horticultural tasks to develop, enhance and conserve the garden and contribute to the delivery of projects. You'll be helping with hard and soft landscaping and general maintenance of the garden, such as mulching, pruning, leaf clearing and weeding. You’ll support with the planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants. You’ll be helping to cut the hedges and mow our fine lawns.

You’ll also assist garden volunteers and support and help them to make the most of their time here. You’ll be expected to interact with the public on a daily basis, answering the many questions, or help out with gardening workshops, tours and helping set up events when needed.

As part of this role you’ll be required to work regular weekends as part of a garden-team rota. This is a seasonal role and the working hours may change weekly over the season to cover more days at peak times.

Please also read the full role profile attached to this advert.

Who we're looking for

To be successful in this role you should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Previous practical gardening/horticulture experience, as well as some knowledge of plants and horticultural techniques

• Familiarity with machinery/equipment and accompanying practical certificates

• Knowledge of Health and Safety compliance requirements

• Excellent customer service

• Willingness and enthusiasm to share the history of the garden with visitors, bringing it to life

• Commitment for what you are doing, always remaining proud of your work

• You’ll have an NVQ 1-2 in Amenity Horticulture (or equivalent).

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.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible
• Free parking at most locations
• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Salary £18298 per year pro rata

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