Assistant Gardener

Hours   -  30 Hours per week;   Worked over Tuesday - Friday    Hours 8.00am-4.00pm, 

Remuneration -  £24,242.40pa (FTE)   (Actual salary: £19,656pa)

About the Bishops Palace
The site and buildings of The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens is owned by the Church Commissioners and managed by The Palace Trust.  As a charitable organisation our mission is to protect The Bishop’s Palace by ensuring financial stability through engaging a wide range of people for their enjoyment and learning.

The eight-hundred-year-old Palace sits among fourteen acres of stunning RHS partner gardens that draw in over 140,000 visitors per annum. The gardens are made up of picturesque, gardenesque, English garden style and contemporary gardens. Our Community Garden draws in a range of different user groups such as people with mental health issues.

Purpose of role 
The Assistant Gardener will work with the Garden team to maintain the gardens to the highest possible standard, help manage the volunteers working in the grounds and assist with the development of the new projects.   

Purpose, Vision and Values
As a charitable organisation our aim is to protect The Bishop’s Palace by ensuring financial stability through engaging a wide range of people for their enjoyment and learning.

Our Vision To inspire and touch the lives of many by offering joy, healing, hope and wellbeing.

Our Purpose To conserve and share the Palace and its story as a place of enjoyment and reflection for the benefit of all.

What we value  Authenticity • Inclusivity • Hospitality • Spirituality • Generosity • Sustainability

Key tasks – Assistant Gardener

Garden presentation and maintenance

• Maintain all aspects of the garden to an exceptionally high standard as directed by the Head Gardener, for example, grass cutting, tree and shrub maintenance, green house work, weeding, infrastructure (paths, steps, seats, etc). 
• Ensure that the garden is presented as attractively, and safely, as possible at all times.
• Assist the Garden team with existing and new garden projects.
• Assist with maintenance systems that ensure the site can function effectively during adverse weather conditions which will include snow and ice clearance, flood clearing and control and wind blow clearing.

Working with Volunteers

• To ensure that Trust policies and procedures on security and fire protection are strictly adhered to at all times, and that volunteers working within the garden are aware of such requirements.  

Health and Safety

• Maintain an up to date working knowledge of all aspects of good Health and Safety and environmental practices relating to the Trust’s operations, including Risk Assessments, COSHH and safe systems of work.
• Use and store fuels according to COSHH and H&S regulations and as directed.
• Use and keep machinery in safe working order and notify faults immediately to the Head Gardener.
• Clean and maintain machinery as appropriate.

Customer Care

• The postholder will be required to participate in some garden events.
• Respond to visitor needs, comments and queries in the grounds whenever necessary. 
• Take all reasonable steps to ensue the health and safety of visitors to the garden.

Security

• To ensures that tools and materials are kept secure when not in use.

Other Duties

• In addition to the above, the post-holder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties and responsibilities which are compatible with the overall scope and authority of the appointment, in discussion with the Line Manager.
• Attend training courses and staff briefings as required.
   

What you can expect from The Palace Trust

You will be working for an independent charity whose main aim is to share, preserve and protect the 800-year-old Bishop’s Palace.  We reinvest in the team and the site and work with local community groups and organisations as part of our community engagement.     We are a real living wage employer. 

Staff benefits include: 25 Days annual leave per year; Induction and training for each employee; Opportunity to join The Palace Trust Pension Scheme; Access to the organisations Employee Assistance Programme; Positive Working Environment; Opportunity to support the local community through volunteer days; Staff social events;Staff discount in The Bishop’s Table Café plus events admission

Person Specification for Assistant Gardener Role: 

Essential Knowledge and experience

• At least 1 years practical experience of gardening
• Good knowledge of plants and kitchen gardening
• Experience of working with Volunteers
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements
• Horticulture qualification such as RHS or City & Guilds

Desirable Knowledge and experience

• Experience of working in a Heritage and/or Visitor Attraction Garden
• Experience of working with vulnerable adults
• First Aid at Work – or willingness to complete

Skills and abilities

• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to work as part of a team and use initiative

Personal attributes

• Proud of your work
• Willingness to work some weekends
• Willingness to support all members of the organisation and to be flexible in the tasks that are undertaken
• Treats people with fairness, respect and consideration without regard for their position, status or background. 

NOTE: This role has potential to become a full-time position in the future.

Applications:

Please do submit a cover letter and CV for your application. 

Interviews are scheduled to take place on Thursday 13 March 2025 at The Bishop’s Palace.

Anticipated start date will on or just after the 1 April 2025.