Seasonal Garden Assistant

As Seasonal Garden Assistant, you’ll work as part of a team to make sure the gardens and grounds are looked after to a high standard. Working under the close supervision of the garden team, you'll undertake basic tasks and develop experience in a wide range of garden care.

**Hours**:37.5 hours per week

**Duration**: this is a short term contract for 3 months to help us through our busy period.

This full-time role typically works from 8am-4pm weekdays

What it's like to work here:In this role, you’ll report to the Senior Gardener. The Garden team includes the head gardener, senior gardener, two gardeners and an assistant gardener as well as garden volunteers.

Rowallane is a captivating naturalistic paradise garden laid out from the 1860’s and further developed in the first half of the 20th century. It sits conveniently on the edge of Saintfield with easy transport links to Belfast. Primarily a woodland garden, it holds a diverse range of unusual trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and bulbs in its sheltered walled gardens, extensive meadows, magical woodlands and natural rock garden. With 52 acres of garden and 150 acres of farmland, the garden team look after these areas for their horticultural, ecological and historical value as we welcome our visitors every day.

You will report to the Senior Gardener and will be working closely with the 5 members of the garden team and our dedicated group of volunteers, as well as the wider team at Rowallane. This is a hands-on role where every day is different You will help with a varied range of practical tasks to look after the garden and engage with our visitors. This full-time role typically works from 8am-4pm weekdays and in-house training on machinery and tasks will be provided. This is a rare opportunity to work in a historic garden and work alongside our team to develop valuable skills and experience across all areas of the garden.

What you'll be doing:In this role, you'll be involved in various practical garden tasks to develop, enhance, and look after the garden. Duties may include helping with hard and soft landscaping and general garden maintenance, such as using garden machinery; including ride-on-mowers, strimmers, blowers etc., as well as mulching, pruning, watering and weeding. You’ll support the planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, and plants. You’ll talk to the public every day, answering a variety of garden-related questions and talking about what you are doing with pride. You may also support gardening workshops and tours and help the set-up of events when needed.

Who we're looking forWe'd love to hear from you if you are:

- helpful & friendly
- customer focused with a positive attitude
- enthusiastic with a willingness to learn
- a team player, but also can work on your initiative

The packageThe 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 audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Tax free childcare scheme
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Perks at work discounts i.e. gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most locations
- Independent financial advice

Requirements :Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Fixed Term f/t (37.5 hrs pw for 3 mo)