At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to grow and maintain a historic botanical collection.
- Company: Highdown Gardens, a beautiful public garden in West Sussex.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension, training, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Supportive environment promoting diversity and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a unique collection while engaging with the community.
- Qualifications: Experience in horticulture, especially with alpines and various plant types.
The predicted salary is between 31537 - 36363 € per year.
Full time horticulturist required for historic plantsman's garden in West Sussex. We are looking for a knowledgeable, qualified, experienced horticulturist to help our team grow, care for and maintain a historic botanical collection that includes the National Collection "The Plants Selected by Sir Frederick Stern". We are in the middle of an ambitious project to expand this collection and manage the site so that they exemplify the vision of Sir Frederick Stern in his book A Chalk Garden.
Highdown Gardens is an 8 1⁄2 acre public garden, located around 1km from the West Sussex Coast and is on the south face of a chalk hill in the South Downs. Part of the garden is a former chalk quarry and it was no doubt the fascinating topography that led its founder to choose it as the site to build a broad collection of trees, shrubs, bulbs, alpines and other herbaceous specimens from around the world. Many of these plants were collected in the wild and some were among the first of their kind to be grown outside of their native environment.
Your role will be to form part of the team of four horticulturists that care for and maintain this prestigious collection. You will work with the Head Gardener and Curator, the Visitor Experience Manager as well as a large number of volunteers. You will be practical, skilful and knowledgeable, preferably with experience of working with alpines as well as the propagation of a broad number of plant types. We are looking for somebody with experience of working with a wide range of tools and machinery and an understanding of amenity horticulture. You will be open, friendly and helpful as every day will include numerous interactions with volunteers from a variety of backgrounds as well as the visiting public alike.
If this sounds like the role for you, we look forward to hearing from you!
Benefits:
- Generous leave entitlement; a minimum of 26 days + Bank Holiday entitlement
- Local Government Pension
- Training & development
- Occupational Health
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Employee resource groups/networks
- Buddy Support Programme
- Flexible working options
At Adur & Worthing, we are committed to supporting care leavers, in accordance with the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the Children and Social Work Act 2017. To that end, we operate a guaranteed interview scheme for anyone meeting the essential criteria of the role they are applying for. In order to be considered for this, you will need to be a care leaver under the age of 25 at the time of application. Please confirm that you are a care leaver within your covering letter.
As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of applicants declaring a disability, that meet the essential criteria for this position, will be offered an interview. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. Staff work in a supportive and safe environment, recognising their responsibility to value and respect each other’s contributions. Standards of conduct must be of the highest level to ensure that no-one is harassed, bullied or victimised. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, staff engagement forums and are keen to hear from applicants from a variety of different backgrounds.
Horticulturist in Worthing employer: Adur & Worthing Councils
At Highdown Gardens, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where our horticulturists can thrive. With generous leave entitlements, a commitment to employee development, and flexible working options, we ensure that our team is well-equipped to care for our historic botanical collection while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance. Located in the picturesque South Downs, our garden not only provides a unique opportunity to work with a diverse range of plants but also fosters a culture of collaboration and respect among staff and volunteers alike.
Contact Detail:
Adur & Worthing Councils Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Horticulturist in Worthing
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the garden! Before your interview, take some time to research Highdown Gardens and its unique collection. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you connect your experience with their vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info about the team and the work culture, plus it might just give you an edge in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! During the interview, be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving alpines or unique plant propagation techniques. Real-life examples can make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Highdown Gardens.
We think you need these skills to ace Horticulturist in Worthing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Horticulture:When writing your application, let your love for plants and gardening shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your knowledge and skills in horticulture, especially with alpines and plant propagation.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight relevant experience and qualifications that align with the job description, particularly your practical skills and teamwork abilities.
Be Friendly and Approachable:Since you'll be interacting with volunteers and the public, convey your friendly nature in your application. Use a warm tone and mention any past experiences where you’ve worked well with diverse groups of people.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, so don’t hesitate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Adur & Worthing Councils
✨Know Your Plants
Brush up on your knowledge of the plants in the collection, especially those selected by Sir Frederick Stern. Be ready to discuss your experience with alpines and other plant types, as well as any propagation techniques you’ve used.
✨Show Your Practical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your hands-on experience with tools and machinery relevant to horticulture. Think of specific examples where you've successfully used these skills in previous roles, as this will show your practical expertise.
✨Engage with the Team Spirit
Since you'll be working closely with a small team and volunteers, highlight your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively. Share examples of how you've worked with diverse groups in the past, showcasing your friendly and helpful nature.
✨Understand the Vision
Familiarise yourself with the vision of Sir Frederick Stern and the goals of Highdown Gardens. Being able to articulate how you can contribute to expanding the collection and maintaining its integrity will set you apart from other candidates.
