As a Gardener for the National Trust, you’ll be a hands-on member of the garden team, involved in every aspect of gardening in 4 gardens that are found across the Derwent, Wear and Coast property group. The majority of gardening duties will be based at Washington Old Hall and Souter Lighthouse, but you will work across the portfolio of gardens including Gibside and Crook Hall Gardens where required and agreed with the Head Gardener. 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

Contract Duration: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Working Pattern: You may be asked to work occasional weekends, bank holidays and evenings.

Interview Dates: Week commencing 4th May

Our gardens are heritage sites, and homes to the most extensive plant collection in Europe, and our gardeners are responsible for the conservation and development of plant collections and the gardens to increasing numbers of members and visitors. Our gardens are much loved and visited from far and wide by many and you’ll be part of the team of professionals caring for all aspects of the heritage gardens in the portfolio.

For more information on the locations you will cover in this role, please see the attached document, which provides an overview of the Derwent, Wear and Coast properties portfolio.

You'll be helping to keep the gardens in 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 plant propagation, machine maintenance, working with community groups and garden designs. 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. 

We'd love to hear from you if you’re:

• an enthusiastic horticulturist and hands-on gardener, who’s worked with hard landscaping before
• knowledgeable about plants, with a great eye for detail
• experienced with machinery, including tractors, chainsaws, rotary and cylinder mowers, and with some knowledge of maintenance
• a driver with a full licence
• able to manage a demanding outdoor role
• good at talking to, and getting on with, all kinds of people
• equally confident working within a team, with volunteers or on your own
• able to keep to time, plan and meet deadlines

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.