Job Description

American Museum & Gardens

The mission of the American Museum & Gardens is to stimulate and inspire people of all ages to further their understanding of the richness and complexity of American culture. Located just outside Bath and with sweeping views of the Limpley Stoke Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the museum is a unique visitor attraction with decorative art, historic rooms, exhibitions and learning programmes and extensive gardens and grounds.

The formal gardens were redesigned in 2018 by Oehme van Sweden, an iconic American landscape architecture firm. The design encompasses the naturalistic New American Garden, taking inspiration from American landscapes and prairies. The gardens and estate also feature a productive kitchen garden, arboretum, parkland and Woodland Walk.

About the role

The Seasonal Gardener role is responsible for taking a pro-active role in maintaining and developing the gardens, plants and supporting infrastructure to the highest standards. This is a hands-on position where you will help to influence the appearance of the formal gardens and wider estate.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. The naturalistic planting design of the New American Garden benefits from being left to stand through the winter months, providing architectural seedheads that are perfect habitat for hibernating insects. We are passionate about soil health and regenerative horticulture, using organic methods to care for the plants and landscapes across the estate.

You will work as part of a team alongside volunteers enabling them to develop their skills, experience and enjoyment. With your positive, can-do attitude and passion for gardening, you will ensure that our visitors receive a warm welcome and a wonderful experience from the moment they arrive.

You will adopt a flexible and positive attitude to work, communicating well in a team but not afraid to work on your own initiative. At all times you will take your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your work seriously. You will assist with ensuring safe systems of work are carried out and observe and contribute towards all risk assessments and safe working practices.

Role description

Working in a team of Gardeners and volunteers, assisting across the gardens and wider estate to maintain high presentation standards - weeding, cutting back, mulching, planting, watering, harvesting, lawn mowing, strimming and hedge cutting.

Supporting the preparation and planting of seasonal displays and containers.

Maintaining paths and access across the gardens and wider estate including post storm checks, clearing overgrown vegetation, chemical free weed control and leaf blowing.

Assisting with routine garden maintenance tasks such as repairing fencing, gates, steps, water features and drainage.

The role will sometimes involve physically challenging work using a range of garden machinery such as pedestrian mowers, leaf blowers and strimmers / brush cutters.

Compliance with health and safety risk management procedures to keep yourself, team, volunteers, visitors and contractors safe on site. Operate and maintain horticultural machinery and tools, using machinery responsibly, recording use and helping to conduct routine maintenance.

Assisting with propagation and nursery activities.

Promote and support the charitable aims of the organisation.

Take positive action to promote Equal Opportunities in all aspects of the organisation.

Agree to abide by organisational policies such as Health and Safety, Safeguarding etc.

Maximise income and minimise expenditure whenever possible.

To be flexible and undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to this role.

Personal specification

Essential:

Knowledge of plants, horticultural techniques and garden maintenance

Experience using garden tools and machinery (eg mowers, strimmers)

Good physical fitness and a willingness to work outdoors in all weathers with a positive attitude to work

Reliable, punctual and the ability to work well within a team and independently

Knowledge of health and safety in a garden setting

Flexibility to fulfil tasks according to the needs of the garden and team

Attention to detail and pride in producing high quality work

Desirable:

Relevant horticultural qualification (eg RHS Level 2 or equivalent experience)

Brush cutter, tractor or chainsaw licences

Experience working in a public garden

Basic understanding of and commitment to sustainable horticulture

Other information

The American Museum & Gardens is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff members to share this commitment. The American Museum & Gardens is an equal opportunities employer.

To apply

To apply please send a

CV and covering letter

outlining how you meet requirements of the role, to annie.talbot@americanmuseum.org or by post to: FAO: Annie Talbot - The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BDby

Monday 1st December.

Interviews to be held week commencing 8th December.

Benefits for working at the American Museum include:

Free parking

20% discount on purchases in our cafe and 10% discount in our shop

Free entry to the museum for you and your immediate family, and 6 guest passes per annum.

25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays

Wellbeing programme (free weekly yoga classes)

Job Type: Temporary
Contract length: 6 months

Pay: From 23,809.00 per year

Work Location: In person