Trainee Gardener at York Gate (2 year post)

The Traineeship

To undergo a structured 2-year practical training program. The role will see you working alongside an experienced team in maintaining and improving a garden and nursery open to the public.

Alongside work you will study towards an academic qualification in RHS level 3 horticulture undertaken as day release to Craven College (qualifications can be adjusted if already obtained), with guidance from the Head and Senior Gardener.

Overall purpose

To learn and undertake a range of gardening tasks in the maintenance, care and running of York Gate Garden, to a professional standard.

Key responsibilities and duties

Horticulture

To learn and undertake daily and seasonal gardening tasks to an exceptional high standard, under the general direction of the Head Gardener and Senior Gardener, including but not limited to:

• General garden maintenance – maintaining paths, leaf clearing, tidying, and weeding.
• Craft gardening skills – Traditional techniques including hazel and willow coppicing, fence weaving, scything and traditional meadow management, spring bulb chipping and fruit tree grafting.
• Pruning – Clipping topiary, cutting hedges, and pruning of shrubs using the correct horticultural methods and equipment.
• Propagation – Using propagation schedules and various propagation techniques to increase stock and plant collections for both the garden and nursery.
• Nursery work – Helping to maintain and stock a busy nursery, watering, re-stocking and advising visitors etc.
• Plant husbandry – Watering, pest and disease control, glasshouse management and feeding programs.
• Lawn maintenance – Grass cutting, scarification, organic feeding programs and edging.

General

• To support the opening of the garden, including dealing with and helping the public.
• To support other activities taking place in the garden e.g., volunteering, learning, special events etc. using good teamwork skills and a willingness to undertake practical tasks associated with those activities.
• To adhere to all relevant policies such as those relating to Health and Safety at all times.
• To undertake other duties within the broad scope of the job as may be required by the line manager once adequate training has been given.
• Weekend rotational and occasional evening work; this will include one weekend in every 5 during the open season.

Person specification

(E) = Essential (D) = Desirable

Qualifications and Experience

• Have achieved GCSE English and Mathematics qualifications OR be able to pass Functional Skills Test (E)
• Good general knowledge and interest in gardening (D)
• Practical experience in horticulture in a paid or volunteer setting (D)
• Experience of working outdoors (D)

Skills required

• Good oral and written communication skills (D)
• Ability to work efficiently and methodically in a safe manner (E)
• Ability to work alone or as part of a team (E)
• Good personal manner when dealing with visitors (D)
• Ability to follow instructions and direction and learn new skills and activities (E)

Experience

• Previous experience of working in horticulture (D)

Training

• Willing to undertake training as necessary and take responsibility for your own learning (E)

Character/Personality

• A passion and desire to work in horticulture (E)
• Organised and methodical (E)
• Ability and willingness to complete the college based training (E)
• Good physical health, able to undertake the physical aspects of the job (E)
• Team player (E)
• Flexible and friendly approach to working in a small garden (E)
• Willingness to undertake a flexible work pattern including weekend work (E)

Circumstances

• Willingness on occasions to undertake uncongenial ‘domestic chores’ e.g. cleaning, litter removal, etc. (E)

Key terms and conditions

These terms and conditions are provided for information only and in no way represent a contract.  In the event of an appointment if there is an anomaly between the contract and these terms, the contract is deemed to be the correct version.

Full information on terms and conditions are contained within a Staff Handbook, issues upon appointment.  Enquiries on specific matters are welcomed – the following are the key issues.

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week – including some weekends and overnight stays.

Holidays: 25 days per annum, plus bank holidays (with increases for long service)

Pension: Perennial operates an auto-enrolment pension scheme and will match employee contributions up to the statutory amount. Details of the scheme will be available following a formal offer of employment.

Other: Sick Pay, Death in Service Benefit (3x salary). Perennial has a number of well-established, family-friendly policies, including ‘buying’ extra (unpaid) leave, time off for dependents, variations to normal working hours. Further details available on request.

General considerations: All Perennial jobs are subject to a probationary period (6 months) and a periodic review.

Smoking: In the interests of health and safety, Perennial operates a non-smoking policy on its premises and expects staff not to smoke in company vehicles.


Applications will be accepted up to midnight on 5 May 2024. However, we reserve the right to close this job early if we receive enough suitable applicants.

Interviews will be held at York Gate on 23 and 24 May 2024.