Jobs

Castle Fraser
Castle Fraser is situated in the foothills of the Grampian Mountains. Only 3 miles from the village of Kemnay the estate is set in the rolling farmland of Aberdeenshire with mixed forestry plantations nearby. The history of the Fraser family goes back to the 15th century with parts of the Castle itself date back to 1576.

The walled garden and shrubbery area forms part of the larger design laid out by Thomas White in 1795. The walled garden is a modern interpretation of an older layout with herbaceous plants / fruit and vegetable production as well as themed areas of planting. Adjacent is a modern woodland garden with substantial woodland play area for children and families. The wider polices include parkland trees – avenues and drives, meadows and forestry plantations.

This regionally significant Castle and its outstanding garden and landscape attract around 30,000 visitors a year; a competent and enthusiastic gardener is required to complete and compliment the staff structure. An eye for detail as well as flair for creating a beautiful visitor environment is essential. There is much scope for developing within the role in the near future to add to the aesthetic of the property.

JOB PURPOSE

Under the direction of the Head Gardener, to ensure that the garden and estate are managed and maintained to a high standard in line with the aims and objectives of the National Trust for Scotland.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Assisting with general horticultural duties to the required standards expected by the Trust and for the maximum safety of, and enjoyment by, visitors. Activities may include:
a. Grass-cutting, strimming, hedge-cutting and raking/collection
b. Cutting of lawn edges
c. Hand-weeding of beds and borders
d. Weeding, watering and feeding vegetable beds and harvesting produce
e. Planting out ( under direction of staff)
f. Application of mulches

2. Assisting with general property maintenance duties and for the maximum safety of, and enjoyment by, visitors. Activities may include:
a. Refuse disposal
b. Raking gravel paths

3. Assisting as required with the general enjoyment of the gardens and estate by:
a. Responding to general visitor enquiries
b. Assisting at events held within the garden or on the estate

4. Assisting with interpretation activities such as answering basic horticultural enquiries from visitors and providing clear and accurate plant labeling.

5. Working with the full time staff to foster positive relationships with local communities, visitors and promoting the work of the Trust, and actively seeking opportunities to increase Trust membership

6. Working with volunteers to ensure they deliver required outputs at the appropriate standard and gain benefits from their volunteering

7. Ensuring compliance with the Trust’s health, safety and environment policies and procedures to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers and visitors. This includes recognition of the Trust’s environmental policy with respect to sustainable gardening policies.

This role does not require you to undertake a criminal records check.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications
 No formal educational qualifications required – but previous gardening or grounds-keeping experience is highly desirable
 Driving License, valid for driving within the UK

Experience

Essential
 Should be experienced with a wide range of hand tools and basic machinery / equipment (e.g. lawn mowers, strimmer) or willing to be trained
 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, confident in interacting and dealing with a wide range of people, and able to represent the Trust
 Some practical knowledge of Health and Safety processes and the ability to work effectively within these processes
 Capable of working effectively within a team environment, but equally able to work unsupervised
 Good organisational and time management skills – including the ability to prioritise work where necessary
 Must have a genuine understanding of, and belief in, the work of the National Trust for Scotland

Desirable
 A genuine love for gardening and garden maintenance is highly desirable
 Experience of working in a garden open to the public
 Competent IT skills sufficient for use of the internet and for completing intranet training modules
 Ride-on mower experience

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB

People Management
 Will work closely with the Head Gardener and Gardener and other property staff
 Will regularly work with a team of garden volunteers
 Will have daily interaction with members of the public of all ages and abilities

Finance Management
 Not a budget-holder but will be expected to take responsibility for effective management of Trust resources in the allocated areas (e.g. compost, materials etc)

Tools / equipment / systems
 Will be a frequent user of powered tools such as mowers, strimmers, hedge-cutters
 Will be a frequent user of hand tools such as spades, forks, trowels, rakes, hoes, shears and secateurs

The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.

Other information
This job involves considerable outdoor physical activity in all weathers.

Applications
Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Human Resources Department (Applications), The National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF, by mail or by email via workforus@nts.org.uk, by first post (i.e. 10.00am) on 24th February 2023

Application Deadline: Friday 24/02/2023