This role has been developed for those changing career to become a professional gardener. You will already have experience of the world of work and be keen to use your transferrable skills and learn lots of new things too.
Job Description
You will work in our historic, 2.5 acre walled Kitchen Garden contributing to its role as a well-loved community garden and visitor attraction and support our work in the Grade 1 Listed wider gardens. You will contribute to Gardening Together sessions with local community groups every week. The role will include practical training to support the achievement of RHS Level 2 academic study with a seasonal approach to learning and practising all the key gardening skills to enable a successful career in productive and heritage horticulture. This position is 18-month fixed term (35 hours per week) including weekend working on rota. During course 'term time' one day per week will be spent studying for RHS L2.
Job Requirements
Some experience of growing food Be committed to working organically, learning and trialling new techniques and sharing your experience An appreciation of gardens as aesthetic spaces that provide a haven of beauty and you will want to increase your ability to enhance these growing areas for all those that visit them Have conviction in the social impact and well-being benefits of high-quality outdoor spaces and the professional gardener's role to share knowledge, skills, plants, and gardens inclusively Good organisation skills with attention to detail Punctual, reliable and able to work effectively, adapt and use your initiative in response to the day-to-day operations A 'can do attitude', enthusiasm and energy, with a willingness to 'go the extra mile' to exceed expectations Good presentation, communication, listening and interpersonal skills IT literacy Written and verbal communication skills
Job Responsibilities
Harvest and preparation of fruit, vegetables and flowers for donation and the Kitchen Garden produce cart Maintenance of productive growing areas including mulching and weeding Use and application of organic fertilisers and pest management techniques Soil improvement - 'No Dig', the use of green manure, producing compost Sowing and cultivating edible and flowering plants Using garden tools and machinery, maintaining equipment Working with the garden team in the wider gardens on all seasonal tasks Keeping the gardens safe to visit for everyone Contributing to the planning, setting up and supervising of volunteers Developing skills to support then lead community groups.
Application is by CV (no more than 2 pages) and a cover letter (no more than 1 page) outlining the reasons for your interest in the post and why you believe yourself to be suitable, and how you would propose working to fulfil this role. Applications should be sent to [email protected] with the subject title KGT26. Please include your full contact details including daytime and evening telephone numbers.
Please provide details of two referees who know your employment and your work. For shortlisted candidates, references will be taken up prior to interview unless you advise that you do not wish us to do so.
Chiswick House & Gardens is a thriving 350-year-old haven in West London, open for everyone every day. Internationally recognised and locally loved, the gardens are home to lots of wonderful wildlife and trees. At the centre of our 65 acres, we run an open, working Kitchen Garden where everyone is invited to wander, taste what’s growing, or enjoy activities. We hold a special place in design history as the first ever English landscape garden and rose garden.
