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- Tasks: Maintain and develop stunning gardens at the historic Osborne House.
- Company: Join English Heritage, a charity caring for iconic sites across England.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, training opportunities, and free access to all English Heritage sites.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career progression and community engagement.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that brings history to life through beautiful gardens.
- Qualifications: NVQ level 2 in amenity horticulture and experience in high-quality gardening.
The predicted salary is between 23896 - 23896 £ per year.
Location: Osborne House, York Avenue, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO32 6JY
Salary: £23,896 pro rata / 22.5 hours per week / permanent
Job type: Permanent
Ref: 16416
Would you like to work for the charity that cares for hundreds of historic sites in every corner of England? With 14 main garden sites and dedicated garden teams, we are looking for a Gardener to join our team at Osborne. This is a part-time role working 22.5 hours per week. Osborne is the former home of Queen Victoria. This seaside estate, brimming with historic character and a wealth of exciting gardening opportunities, offers a remarkable setting in which to take the next step in your career.
Osborne is the leading English Heritage property on the Isle of Wight and attracts over 250,000 visitors each year. You'll be playing a vital role in maintaining and developing the gardens to ensure they reflect the grandeur that would have been familiar to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. You will be involved in all areas of the garden, from the walled garden and glasshouses to the magnificent bedding displays, pleasure grounds and parkland. You'll work closely with our team of gardeners and garden volunteers to ensure the gardens and landscape are shown off to the highest standards of presentation.
Benefits include:
- Comprehensive training and CPD
- The opportunity to progress your career
- Apprenticeship opportunities
- Flexible hours
- Opportunities to go to some of our great live music and history events
- Free access to all English Heritage sites for you and up to six friends and family members
- 25% discount in our shops and cafes
- Corporate subscription/memberships to gardening organisations
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental leave
- 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays pro rata, rising to 28 days after 3 years
- Options to buy additional leave
- Matched pension contributions up to 10%
As a Gardener, you'll contribute to bringing to life the stories that our gardens tell, helping visitors of all ages make new discoveries. We're looking for someone with an eye for detail; high-quality garden experience; great plant knowledge and horticultural skills; and a great team player. You'll know how to ensure visitors enjoy their day out - from sharing your gardening knowledge to ensuring their health and safety.
The ability to use and demonstrate all necessary horticultural craft skills, machinery use and maintenance to the highest standards are also a must for this busy and dynamic role. You will be qualified to at least NVQ level 2 in amenity horticulture and have previous experience of working in a high-quality horticultural establishment. You will work to high standards and be effective and efficient when working on your own or as part of the wider team.
Everybody's welcome at English Heritage. Forget the stereotypes. It takes thousands of people from every background to care for England's heritage and open it up for everybody to enjoy. We're looking for every type of person with every kind of skill and experience, and we're committed to making sure that English Heritage is an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work.
Gardener - Osborne House in Isle of Wight employer: Osborne House
Contact Detail:
Osborne House Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Gardener - Osborne House in Isle of Wight
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the gardeners at Osborne House. Follow them on social media or check out their work online. This way, you can drop some knowledge about their projects during your chat, showing you're genuinely interested in joining the crew.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Bring along a portfolio of your gardening work or any relevant projects you've been involved in. Whether it's photos of your own garden or community projects, having something tangible to share can really make you stand out and show your passion for horticulture.
✨Tip Number 3
Ask questions that matter! When you get the chance, ask about the specific gardening techniques they use at Osborne or how they maintain the historical aspects of the gardens. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you understand if this is the right fit for you.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through our official channels. It’s the best way to ensure it gets noticed and shows you’re serious about joining the English Heritage family. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need to ace your application!
We think you need these skills to ace Gardener - Osborne House in Isle of Wight
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gardening: When writing your application, let your love for gardening shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your skills and knowledge about plants and horticulture. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at Osborne.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Gardener role. Highlight relevant experience and qualifications, like your NVQ level 2 in amenity horticulture. This shows us you’re serious about joining our team and understand what we’re looking for.
Be Yourself: Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. We value authenticity and want to know who you are beyond your qualifications. Share a bit about your gardening journey and what makes you a great fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Osborne House
✨Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific plants you’ve worked with and how they thrive in different conditions. This shows your passion for horticulture and that you’re well-prepared for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your previous gardening roles that highlight your skills and achievements. Whether it’s a successful project or a challenge you overcame, having concrete examples will demonstrate your capability and commitment to high-quality gardening.
✨Team Player Attitude
Since you'll be working closely with other gardeners and volunteers, emphasise your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you collaborated effectively, as this will show that you can contribute positively to the team dynamic at Osborne.
✨Engage with Visitors
Think about how you would interact with visitors at Osborne. Prepare to discuss how you would share your gardening knowledge and ensure a great experience for them. This reflects your understanding of the role's importance in enhancing visitor enjoyment.