Job Description
Gardener Job Description 2023
Role: Gardener (skilled)
Reports to: Head Gardener
Packages from: £25,000 - £32,000
Type of Contract: Permanent / full-time
Location: Cawdor Castle, Nairn, Inverness-shire, IV12 5RD
Terms and conditions
The post is subject to the Cawdor Castle standard terms and conditions and the following special terms also apply: hours of work = 45 per week on 5 days out of 7 and at times to suit the needs of the job (this will include regular weekend duties on a rota basis)
INTRODUCTION
Cawdor Castle is situated on the outskirts of the village of Cawdor some 5 miles (8km) south-west of Nairn and some 13 miles (21km) north east of Inverness. It lies on the Cawdor Burn, a tributary of the River Nairn, in the northern foothills of the Grampians overlooking the river valley. The Castle lies just above the alluvial plain of the River Nairn and the soil in the Gardens is a good loam. The climate is slightly affected by the Gulf Stream which curls around the north of Scotland. The annual rainfall is low, about 30" (773mm).
Cawdor Castle lies at the northern tip of the policies that were laid out in the mid-18th century; the formal design can be seen on a survey of 1782. The park was modified in the mid-19th century and its extent can be seen on the 1st edition OS plan of 1869. It has remained unchanged and covers an area of about 815 acres (330 ha).
The formal gardens, parkland, woodland and built features form the setting for one of the most romantic 16th century Scottish castles, and the whole composition makes a huge contribution to the surrounding scenery. The sessile oak trees in Cawdor Wood are believed to be part of an ancient primeval forest and host the largest variety of lichens in the UK. The flower garden was originally laid out in 1720 and in the early 20th century was remodelled on a theme of Dante's passage through hell. There has been a designed landscape here for more than 350 years, and the castle has been lived in by the same family for more than
600 years.
The permanent full-time role of Gardener forms part of the Gardens Team for Cawdor Castle Ltd responsible for the management and maintenance of the Castle, gardens & policies.
KEY PURPOSE
The post holder will provide practical hands-on duties in support of the Garden Team, ensuring that the garden and policies are presented and maintained in line with the property’s high standards so that enjoyment by visitors and supporters is maximized.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The Key Purposes of the job will be met by ensuring the conservation and practical maintenance of the garden in terms of Practical horticulture including:
- Cutting and maintaining lawns and grass to a variety of finishes using a variety of machines, including pedestrian operated, tractors & ride-on mowers, strimmers and brushcutters including fertilizer application.
- Cutting and maintaining hedges; Pruning wall shrubs and climbers
- Maintenance of shrub borders including pruning and weeding
- Maintenance of herbaceous borders including weeding, staking, pruning and replanting as required and mulching
- Leaf-clearing and litter-picking
- Carrying out basic arboricultural activities, cutting firewood
- Greenhouse and nursery practices including seed sowing, watering, propagation and potting especially the tender perennials and summer bedding and annual vegetable production
- Maintaining compost heaps and leaf mould piles
- Maintaining tools and equipment and basic maintenance of machinery
- Maintaining good relationships with other staff and visitors
- Maintenance of car parks including snow-clearing and frost-gritting.
- Observing all Health and Safety Risk Assessments, COSHH, regulatory and security measures
- Undertaking other duties as required by the Head Gardener
- A willingness to undertake necessary training
People Management
⬧ Is not a Line Manager but a team player able to work with gardener colleagues including: Head
Gardener; Green Keeper/Gardener; Gardeners, Seasonal Gardener(s) and Volunteers;
⬧ Will work closely with other property colleagues and will have some interaction with technical/specialist advisory contractors;
⬧ Will have regular (daily) interaction with members of the public of all ages and abilities;
Tools/equipment
⬧ Will be a frequent user of driven vehicles such as tractors, ATVs, ride-on mowers etc;
⬧ Will be a frequent user of powered tools such as chainsaws, mowers, strimmers, hedge-cutters, etc.,
⬧ Will be a frequent user of hand-tools such as spades, forks, trowels, rakes, hoes, shears, and secateurs, etc
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
The above outlines the key skills the post-holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition, either knowledge of or experience in the following is required:
Essential
▪ NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture, RHS Level 2
▪ PASMA Certificates for Tower Scaffolding
▪ Driving Licence, valid for driving within the UK including, if age relevant, Category E for towing trailers
▪ At least five years relevant practical experience in general amenity gardening
▪ Sound demonstrable plant knowledge including the cultivation of intensive fruit, vegetable and glasshouse plant production;
▪ Basic knowledge of tool and powered machinery use and maintenance;
▪ Working practical knowledge of Health and Safety processes and procedures and the ability to work effectively within these;
▪ Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; confident in interacting and dealing with a wide range of people and being an ambassador for Cawdor Castle Garden;
Desirable
▪ Experience of working in a garden open to the public
▪ Skills in tree & shrub management techniques, basic chain-saw certificates – CS30 & CS31 or equivalent;
▪ Ability to undertake basic machinery maintenance and servicing
▪ First Aid Certificate
The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. Cawdor Castle Ltd reserves the right to amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.
Applications
Interested applicants should forward a current Curriculum Vitae and an accompanying letter setting out your skills and experiences relevant to the post of Gardener Cawdor Castle.
These should be sent to Graham Griffith, Cawdor Castle, Nairn, Inverness-shire by mail or email info@cawdorcastle.com by 10.00am on 19-06-2023.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £25,000.00-£32,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Store discount
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Experience:
- Gardening: 5 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 19/06/2023
Apply
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