A family of four are looking for a full-time Head Gardener to look after their gardens and grounds near Uckfield, East Sussex TN22. You must hold a full driving licence to apply for this position. This is a live-in or live-out position - separate accommodation can be provided if you do not live in the local area.
Package Offered
- £30,000 - £40,000 gross per year depending on experience and the overall package.
- Separate accommodation can be provided near the family property.
Family Background
The mother, father and their two children live in a Grade II listed property near Uckfield in East Sussex TN22. They have a beautiful house with a private 8-acre garden plus other land, including meadows, woodland and a lake. The gardens include herbaceous borders, kitchen garden with greenhouse, orchard, wildflower meadows, ponds, shrubs and lawns. They have a full-time gardener, so are now looking for a Head Gardener to join the team. The husband is a keen gardener and a fellow of the RHS. The family are passionate about their garden and have lots of unusual plants and flowers. They also have a dog and chickens, so you should be happy to be around animals for this role.
Duties
You will be responsible for the maintenance of the gardens and grounds, liaising with the owners, working alongside the current gardener and managing external contractors. The majority of the 8-acre grounds are established gardens laid out with an extensive selection of perennial planting. You will be maintaining and developing the perennial beds, managing the kitchen garden, ponds, fruit trees, shrubs and lawns, as well as doing general garden maintenance. There is also scope for the development of new areas of the garden. You should have an eye for detail and a passion for the upkeep of beautiful grounds. You should be knowledgeable about plants and planting, be able to look after the extensive flower beds and private garden areas, as well as doing general maintenance. You should be confident to deal with contractors such as tree surgeons who come onto the land and be able to manage them.
You will be responsible for the maintenance of the garden tools, as well as the tractors and high-end mowers. You will be responsible for their upkeep and ensure they are regularly serviced and inspected. You should be organised and tidy and ensure that all the outbuildings are kept tidy and in good condition. You should have experience in using specialist garden tools and machinery and ideally hold a chain saw licence.
Location/Accommodation
The family home is located near Uckfield in East Sussex TN22. This role is either live in or live out. If you wish to live out you should be in an easily commutable distance of East Sussex TN22. If you prefer to live in you can be provided with your own separate accommodation in the local area.
Days/Hours
Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm. The family are flexible with the working hours and understand that in the winter you may need to adjust the hours. The current gardener starts work at 7am and finishes at 3pm - but the family are flexible as to your hours as long as the 8 hour day is performed.
Languages
You should speak and write a good level of English.
Special Skills
- You must have professional gardening experience and expert knowledge of plants
- You must have a valid drivers’ license and confidence with all tools and machinery
- Any qualifications in horticulture are a bonus
Interview/Start date
Interviews taking place now for the right person to start ASAP. We are recruiting safely within the COVID-19 regulations.