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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Help maintain the stunning gardens at Balmoral Castle with a passionate team.
- Company: Join the historic Balmoral Estate, owned by His Majesty the King.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay and gain hands-on horticultural experience.
- Why this job: Work in beautiful surroundings and contribute to organic gardening practices.
- Qualifications: Horticultural qualifications or practical experience; love for plants is a must!
- Other info: Perfect for those seeking summer work with a royal touch!
The predicted salary is between 10 - 16 £ per hour.
We are looking for a Seasonal Gardener (Horticulturist) to assist the Head of Gardens, Deputy Head Gardener and garden team, with the maintenance of the gardens at Balmoral Castle.
Balmoral Estate is owned by His Majesty the King and is managed in a traditional manner similar to many other privately owned Scottish highland estates. Overall management is directed by the Factor at the Estates Office at Balmoral, near Crathie, Aberdeenshire. The Castle gardens and grounds are open throughout the year to visitors when the Royal Family aren’t in residence. The Castle is set in its own gardens and policy parks which are managed by the Head of Gardens.
Balmoral Gardens is a Historic Garden and is currently being enhanced with several exciting new garden features including a Thistle maze, a Celtic Maze, topiary, trees, shrubs and hedging. Other established features include The Queen Mary’s Garden, Sunken Garden, Herbaceous Borders, Kitchen Garden and Glasshouses. We also look after gardens for holiday cottages on the estate.
The Role
To assist the Head of Gardens, Deputy Head Gardener and garden team, with the maintenance of the gardens at Balmoral Castle. Ensuring that the highest possible standards are maintained in line with the garden’s organic principles.
Responsibilities
- Undertake and assist with the day-to-day aspects of maintaining the gardens at Balmoral Gardens and delivering exemplary standards of horticulture.
- Work together with the gardening team to help ensure the organic status of the garden is maintained.
- The post-holder is expected to resolve day-to-day problems that arise relating to the works undertaken, seeking advice or approval from the Assistant Head Gardener or Head of Gardens where necessary.
- Support the Head of Gardens with ensuring all aspects of Health and Safety legislation are being followed. Report any accidents, near misses or dangerous occurrences as necessary.
- Assist with the maintenance of machinery and equipment on site. As part of this ensure faults in machinery or equipment are reported and logged, in addition to ensuring that machinery pre-start and post-finish checks are undertaken on each occasion a machine is used.
- Contribute to the preparation for events and tours ensuring the gardens are shown to their highest horticultural standard.
- Any other horticultural duties as required.
Person Specification
The essential skills, knowledge and experience required are:
- Qualified or studying for National Diploma or equivalent horticultural qualifications and/or excellent hands-on practical horticulture experience.
- The ability to carry out a range of garden skills and tasks to a high standard.
- Be able and willing to work alone or take the lead in specific aspects of the garden’s maintenance and development, when asked.
- Good plant knowledge and a good level of understanding of their cultivation, maintenance, propagation and management.
- Ability to identify a range of horticultural pests and diseases.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Experience in organic practices.
- Current driving licence.
- Any LANTRA certifications in machinery and equipment including grass cutting.
Hours of Work: Normally 0800 – 1700, Monday to Friday (40 hours per week)
Additional Information
The job involves carrying out demanding and repetitive physical tasks.
Seasonal Gardener (Horticulturist) employer: Balmoralcastle
Contact Detail:
Balmoralcastle Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Seasonal Gardener (Horticulturist)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Head of Gardens and the Deputy Head Gardener. Understanding their gardening style and the current projects at Balmoral can help you connect during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Bring along examples of your previous work or even photos of gardens you've maintained. This will give you a chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and plant knowledge in a tangible way.
✨Tip Number 3
Ask questions! When you're in the interview, don’t hesitate to ask about the specific challenges the garden team faces. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand how you can contribute to maintaining those high horticultural standards.
✨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 Balmoral team and ready to dive into the world of horticulture with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Seasonal Gardener (Horticulturist)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Horticulture: When writing your application, let your love for gardening shine through! Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your skills and enthusiasm for horticulture. We want to see how you connect with plants and nature.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Seasonal Gardener role. Highlight relevant qualifications, hands-on experience, and any specific skills that match the job description. This shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to horticulture. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Balmoralcastle
✨Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss different species, their care requirements, and any pests or diseases you might encounter. This shows your passion for horticulture and that you're serious about the role.
✨Show Off Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past gardening experiences. Whether it’s a project you led or a challenge you overcame, having concrete stories will help demonstrate your skills and how you can contribute to the team at Balmoral.
✨Understand Organic Practices
Since the role emphasises organic gardening, make sure you’re familiar with organic principles and practices. Be ready to discuss how you’ve applied these in previous roles or how you would approach maintaining the organic status of the gardens.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions to ask during the interview. Inquire about the new garden features or the team dynamics. This not only shows your interest in the position but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
