Gardener - National Trust : Job Details

We’ve got an exciting opportunity for you to join our team at Ightham Mote as a Gardener.

You’ll play a vital role in improving the experience of visitors to the garden, including the early stages of the project to reinstate our walled garden. 

Interviews will be held on the 29th of April.

Please apply for this role with a CV and Cover Letter.

With its beautiful, moated mansion, 14-acre gardens, and wider estate, reflecting 700 years of history and our friendly, dedicated teams, it is easy to see why our visitors, volunteers and staff love Ightham Mote. 

Reporting to the head and senior gardener, you’ll be part of a lively, supportive team of 6 staff and 25 volunteers, keen to deliver great experiences, share knowledge and ideas, and inspire our visitors. The variety of formal, informal, and natural garden areas, and water features will offer you challenges and develop your abilities across a wide range of skills.

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

You'll love being outside, sharing our conservation work with visitors and helping to keep the garden in tiptop condition every day. This might involve checks to make sure areas are safe for our visitors, routine tasks such as weeding, pruning, mulching, and care of a wide variety of plants, using tools or machinery such as hedge cutters, leaf blowers, lawnmowers, and tractors. 

Other duties might include propagation, cutting flowers for the house, preparing plants for sale, tree safety work, garden design and restoration. You may be involved in composting, managing waste, and recycling, as well as supporting other teams and events. 

We'd love to hear from you if you’re: 

• an enthusiastic gardener with training at RHS level 2 or equivalent work experience.
• knowledgeable about plants and gardening techniques, with a great eye for detail.
• competent and experienced with safe use of garden tools and machinery such as; mowers, hedge cutters, and grass trimmers, with some knowledge of maintenance. 
• able to manage a demanding outdoor role and adapt to changing situations.
• confident working within a team or on your own, leading volunteers, participating in garden or property events and activities, getting on with all kinds of people. 
• able to keep to time, plan and meet deadlines.
• a driver with a full licence.  

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)

• Tax-free childcare scheme

• Rental deposit loan scheme

• Season ticket loan

• 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

• Independent financial advice

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