Senior Gardener X 2

Summary Are you a skilled horticulturist and plants-person looking for your next major challenge? Do you know how to care for a diverse range of plants, both hardy and tender from rhododendrons to tree ferns? Then working as part of dedicated project team responsiblefor the development of new standards of presentation and care across our various woodland gardens at Mount Stewart, will meet your career plans and take your plant knowledge to the next level

What it's like to work here The garden at Mount Stewart is looked after by a group of highly skilled horticulturist who care for large areas of the garden. We are passionate about what we do, but we also like to have fun. We a friendly team supported by our amazing garden volunteers,but now many of our woodland areas are now in need of a refresh. This is more than we can cope with, so we are setting up a dedicated team to meet this challenge head on.

Our key focus is containing and removing invasive species, preparing and planting our next generation of climate proof trees and shrubs to provide shelter and protection ensuring the gardens long term survival. You'll also be involved in refreshing areasalong the main visitor entrance, while also ensuring the highest standards of care are maintained within our extensive woody plant collection and tender plants that create the rich tapestry in our woodland gardens.

What you'll be doing You’ll love working outdoors as part of a new team focusing on an area-by-area approach of raising and maintaining the presentation of our key woodland gardens. The work involves the clearance of invasive species, replanting, transplanting and enhancingareas of our woodland gardens with plants grown at Mount Stewart, as well as pruning and maintaining our extensive, existing plant collection. Mount Stewart is Northern Ireland's most visited garden, so engaging with our visitors will be a key part of yourrole, as will creating opportunities for everyone to be involved in our work.

We don’t just need you to manage our beautiful gardens, although this is an important part of the role; we’d like you to help manage a small team too. As a Senior Gardener in this new team, we’d like you to lead by example, with exceptional horticulturalskills, but you’ll also understand how to manage the workload for this team, and deliver exceptional training to new staff and volunteers.

**Please also read the full role profile attached to this advert.**

Who we're looking for To be successful in this role you should be able to demonstrate the following:

- Significant practical experience in horticulture supported by relevant qualifications
- Have supervisory experience from a similar role
- Excellent knowledge of plants
- Competent with the use and maintenance of garden machinery including chainsaws, tractors, hedge trimmers, pedestrian and ride on mowers
- Knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation and practice
The package The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audienceswe serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Free parking at most locations
- Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.