Are you passionate about gardening & ready to take the next step?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a trained horticulturist seeking to develop their skills and expand their professional experience in the creation and upkeep of a highly regarded public garden that attracts over 125,000 visitors each year. We can offer a range of tasks, responsibilities, and settings to ensure a rich and fulfilling horticultural journey and learning experiences within a motivated and dynamic team.
Lowther Castle & Gardens
Lowther Castle & Gardens comprises 130 acres of gardens, a permanent historical exhibition, a cafe and a vast adventure playground - all are equally enjoyed by garden- and landscape-lovers, dog walkers and families on a day out.
The Gardens today are surprising. Under Dan Pearson's guidance, new gardens are being developed within the old structures. The once-lost romantic Edwardian pleasure gardens, the original 17th-century gardens and the castle ruins have become hosts to unique contemporary designs. Dan Pearson's masterplan was established in 2012. Thirteen years on, we are now fine-tuning the plant collection and horticultural practices in the well-established areas: the Garden-in-the-Ruins, Tapestry Parterre, South Lawns with its Wildflower Meadows and Rose Garden. At the same time, we have started to implement the next phases, including the Rock Garden, Japanese Garden and Sweet-Scented Garden.
Our approach to the site and its historic features is considerate, environmentally friendly, and regenerative. We aim to preserve the unique spirit of this horticultural project while creating one of the most popular visitor attractions in the North-West. Lowther Castle & Gardens is a place that can be explored and enjoyed throughout the seasons. As a horticulturist at Lowther Castle & Gardens, you will join a team working on the next phases of Dan Pearson's visionary masterplan. This is a unique opportunity to leave your mark on a prestigious project, developing new gardens and enhancing areas established over the past decade..
Primary Duties
Assisting in ensuring the gardens are maintained to a high standard of horticulture, offering an excellent visitor experience.
Being involved at a hands-on level, using tractor & trailer, ride-on mowers, power-driven equipment and hand tools, participating in the maintenance and development of all garden areas.
Undertaking horticultural tasks, including soil preparation, mulching, watering, weeding, pruning, propagation, planting, lawn maintenance, leaf-clearing, snow clearing and assisting in the upkeep of the woodlands within the gardens.
Assistance with hard- and soft-landscaping tasks such as site preparation for new gardens, installing and repairing pathways and edges, and planting woody and herbaceous plants of various sizes.
Complying with safe working practices, health & safety policies and procedures.
Supporting the day-to-day management of the volunteer scheme
Interacting with a wide range of people, including the public, answering questions, helping with garden-related events and tours.
Contributing to creating an empowering learning environment and a great place to work.
This job description outlines the principal responsibilities and duties of the post holder. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list of specific responsibilities and duties. The post holder will be expected to undertake any other duties that could reasonably be expected to be within the post's remit and arising out of changes in legislation, regulations, orders, rules and working practices, methods and procedures, and reviews as directed from time to time.
Person Specification - Essential
Proven experience in hands-on garden maintenance throughout the seasons for at least 2 years.
Competence in the safe use of power-driven equipment, machinery and hand-held gardening tools.
Comprehensive understanding of plants, including trees, shrubs and perennials.
Awareness of relevant Health & Safety rulings & regulations.
Good understanding of a wide range of horticultural techniques and practices.
Desirable
Experience working in a similar garden setting as a team and independently.
Working with volunteers and interacting with the public.
Experience with installing hard- and soft landscaping projects.
Awareness of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) and chemical safety.
Skills
Positive can-do attitude and approachable manner.
Excellent communication skills.
Good organisational & time-management skills.
Reliable team player.
Desire to learn and advance professional skills.
Attention to detail.
Adaptability to change and willingness to embrace new ideas and processes.
Computer-literate.
Qualifications
Recognised horticultural qualification, ideally an RHS Level 2
Full clean driving licence
PA1 & PA6 spray certificate (desirable)
Certificate of Competence in Chainsaw Operations (desirable)
First Aid Training (desirable)
Additional information & Benefits
Contract -
Permanent, subject to a three-month probation period.
Hours -
Full-time or part-time hours are negotiable. Some weekends, with time-in-lieu, are expected.
Responsible to -
Head Gardener
Working with -
Gardens Team, including volunteers, and liaising with Maintenance, Admission & Catering staff
Based at -
Lowther Castle and Gardens, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HH
Salary -
26.500-27,300, depending on experience, for a 40-hr week
Benefits
Onsite staff discounts in cafe and shop
Free entry to Lowther Castle and Gardens with friends and family
Free car parking
Uniform is provided.
Lowther Castle & Gardens is rurally located, and no daily public transport accesses the site.
Lowther Castle & Gardens is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates.
Application
If you would like to apply for this post, please send your CV and a cover letter stating why you are interested in the position to Head Gardener Andrea Brunsendorf at andrea.brunsendorf@lowthercastle.org. Please also direct any questions about the role to Andrea.