Person Specification 

Hospitalfield Trust is looking for an enthusiastic, knowledgeable Head Gardener who is a good communicator and enjoys working with people and plants. 

We are looking for someone with vision who will work with the rest of the Hospitalfield team to realise the very great potential there is to manage the land, develop the garden and engage our audiences in the horticultural story of Hospitalfield. 

Skills and Experience

Essential

Qualifications

• Excellent experience of horticulture either to RHS Level 3 level or through practical experience over a number of years working in horticulture.

• Certificates and training in use of garden machinery maintenance.

• Trained in environmental safety and use of herbicides/pesticides (organic/chemical free).

Garden Management

• An demonstrable understanding of the potential and opportunities there are to work within the context of a historic garden and in the grounds of an important Arts & Crafts country house with a fascinating cultural history.

• Ability to establish short, medium and long term strategies and plans for the development of the gardens and grounds.

• Experience of estate management including tree, hedgerow, grass and lawn management.

• Experience of working efficiently with outside contractors where this is required.

• Experience of managing people walking through or using sites that are less and more public/private.

Learning

• Experience of devising and delivering training programmes.

• Experience of and commitment to using the garden as a place for learning and training.

• Experience of working with a volunteer workforce.

• Interest to work with apprentices and enthusiasm to pass on knowledge and experience – consideration of the future workforce.

Approach to work

• Conscientious and organised approach to work.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Good grasp of computer working; e mails, word processing.

• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines with limited supervision.

• Experience of working as part of a team and independently.

• Willingness to be flexible in this post-Covid time as we incorporate new ways of working in to our staff team particularly in relation to health and safety.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a garden or nursery that is open to the public and therefore has an awareness of the responsibilities of working with the public.

• Understanding of community learning and development.

• Experience of events management.

• Understanding of the ways in which horticulture can be used in the context of well-being.

• Interest in growing food and the link to the catering/food destination that Hospitalfield will become.