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- Tasks: Join a passionate team caring for the stunning gardens at Raby Castle.
- Company: Raby Estates, a historic and beautiful visitor attraction.
- Benefits: 33 days holiday, pension scheme, discounts, and free access to attractions.
- Why this job: Work in a unique environment and make a real impact on garden development.
- Qualifications: Experience in public gardens, horticultural knowledge, and event hosting skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a supportive team and opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 32000 £ per year.
Raby Castle near Staindrop has been the home of the Vane family for generations and is open to visitors. Lord and Lady Barnard have developed the Castle and grounds extensively to become one of the foremost visitor attractions in the country. The wider Raby Estate comprises substantial landholdings and trading operations including in-house farms, let farms, and residential property along with sporting enterprises across estates in Co Durham and Shropshire.
This is a rare opportunity for a talented individual to join the team caring for the gardens at Raby Castle, recently reimagined by renowned garden designers Luciano Giubbilei and Alistair Baldwin. To ensure the garden is enjoyed at its very best throughout the year, we are seeking to recruit an experienced gardener to help the team maintain the garden to the highest standard and further enhance its appeal to the huge numbers of visitors it attracts.
What you’ll be doing:
- Supported by the Assistant Head Gardeners, you will join a small team dedicated to the care and development of the five-acre Walled Garden and the wider landscape.
- You will be responsible for all aspects of horticulture including maintenance of the new planting schemes, care of the existing historic trees and climbers, and propagation of new stock for our plant sales area.
- You will be dynamic and willing to share your knowledge to develop our team as well as being open to learning new skills.
- You will work alongside volunteers as we seek to grow our team to fulfil the potential of this wonderful space.
- You will contribute to vegetable and flower production for use across the estate.
- You will help maintain our beautiful new greenhouse and ensure it is always presented to the highest standard.
- You will assist your colleagues in other areas of the garden at times – the entire site extends to approximately 24 acres.
- You will have an eye for detail and awareness of sustainable practice in the garden.
- You will assist in the delivery of guided tours and bespoke events to showcase the garden to a wide audience.
- You will support the wider Leisure and Tourism team particularly with our busy events programme.
What we need to see:
- Experience in a significant role within a garden open to the public.
- Confidence in hosting guided tours.
- Experience in hosting bespoke events.
- Appropriate horticultural experience, great plant knowledge, and awareness of contemporary and historic styles.
- A flexible approach to duties, ability to work well within a team and independently, organised and an effective communicator.
- Honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, capacity for hard work and attention to detail, a cheerful approach and a problem-solving attitude.
- Confidence and skills to cover for the Assistant Head Gardener in his/her absence.
What we have to offer:
- 33 days holiday including statutory holidays.
- Group Pension Scheme with a 7.7% employer contribution with the option to salary sacrifice.
- Group Life Insurance.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Health Cash Plan.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Buy/Sell Holiday Scheme.
- Free on-site car parking.
- Discounts at Raby retail and food outlets.
- Discounts for stays at Raby's High Force Hotel.
- Complimentary access to Raby Castle and High Force leisure attractions.
- A behind-the-scenes tour of Raby Castle.
- Invitations to Raby Estate social events throughout the year.
- A chance to work in one of the most unique and beautiful venues in the region.
- A dynamic, engaging and never predictable role – no two days will be the same!
- A supportive and enthusiastic team that makes every workday enjoyable.
How to apply: If you feel you have the necessary skills, experience and personality to undertake this role please apply below.
Senior Gardener in North East employer: Raby Estates
Contact Detail:
Raby Estates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Gardener in North East
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team at Raby Castle! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the gardens and the people who work there. This shows you’re genuinely interested and helps you connect with them during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your horticultural skills! Bring along examples of your previous work or even photos of gardens you've tended to. This gives you a chance to demonstrate your experience and passion for gardening in a tangible way.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about teamwork! Since you'll be working closely with others, share stories about how you've collaborated in past roles. Highlight your ability to support and learn from your colleagues, especially in a garden setting.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare some thoughtful questions about the gardens, events, or the team’s future plans. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you figure out if this is the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Gardener in North East
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 horticultural skills and any unique projects you've worked on. We want to see your enthusiasm for creating beautiful spaces.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to match the role of Senior Gardener. Highlight relevant experience in public gardens, event hosting, and teamwork. This shows us you understand what we're looking for and how you can contribute to 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 the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
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 helps us keep everything organised on our end.
How to prepare for a job interview at Raby Estates
✨Know Your Plants
Brush up on your horticultural knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific plants, their care, and how they fit into both contemporary and historic garden styles. This will show your passion and expertise in gardening.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed gardens open to the public. Highlight any experience you have with guided tours or events, as this is crucial for the role at Raby Castle.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since you'll be working closely with a small team and volunteers, emphasise your ability to collaborate and share knowledge. Think of instances where you've helped develop others or worked well in a team setting.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and attention to detail. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific gardening challenges or enhance the appeal of the garden for visitors.
