Senior Gardener/ Horticulturalist

**Senior Gardener/Horticulturalist at Sculpture by the Lakes**

An exciting position for a Senior Gardener has been created at Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorset's premier sculpture park and the UK's newest accredited botanic garden. Set across 26 acres near Dorchester, the park is home to a small but important collection of threatened conifers as well as many rare and unusual woody plants and trees and is a National Collection holder. Running alongside Dorset's SSSI River Frome, the park also features three large lakes, several small ponds, spring-fed streams and woodland paths, as well as more formal gardens and a quarter acre kitchen garden.

The gardens and sculpture park were created by Simon and Monique Gudgeon and opened in 2011. The garden team consists of the owner/Garden Director, two full time staff (currently recruiting), Kitchen Gardener, plus two part-time staff and a small volunteer team.

The role includes the following:

- responsibility for assisting the owner/Garden Director in the maintenance of all aspects of the garden with particular emphasis on tree and woody plant management. Also plant propagation, planting of trees and shrubs, pruning and maintenance of existing beds and borders.
- assisting with planning and development of the woody plant and tree collection

What we need:

- an enthusiastic, energetic and knowledgeable individual with excellent plant understanding
- who has the ability to work within a team or independently
- is confident and has good communication skills
- is organised and self-motivated
- has all the relevant qualifications
- has a valid driving licence

What we offer
- a competitive salary package, dependent on experience and qualifications, between £27,000 and £30,000
- good advancement prospects for the right individual
- company pension scheme
- holiday entitlement of 20 days annually plus bank holidays
- staff discount in Cafe and shop
- Hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm from 1st April to 30th September and 9am to 4pm from 1st October to 31st March.
- Position does not include accommodation.