Overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic Assistant Gardener to join our team. This is an opportunity like no other: The chance to work in a centre of excellence dedicated to the care and captive breeding of endangered big cats.

The successful person will need some gardening experience, but also be willing to learn from the best about how to create and maintain beautiful gardens for our visitors. You must be motivated, punctual, reliable, honest and have a strong work ethic with a good eye for detail. Practical and physically fit, you should have a keen interest in gardening, plants and landscaping.

We are also looking for someone who is professional, personable and dedicated. Hours of work are 08.00-18.00 March to October, 08.00-17.00 November to February, 5 days per week. Flexibility in hours of work is necessary in this post.

Position Overview

The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day care and maintenance of the Big Cat Sanctuary’s gardens, including lawns, planters, baskets and beds. They will work with the head gardener and ensure that all garden areas are well kept, admired by our visitors and full of interesting, healthy and insect-friendly plants. The post holder is expected to work with the minimum supervision, but also able to thrive in a team environment.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities include:

• Work within the guidelines of health & safety procedures to ensure animal, personal and visitor security
• Tasks will vary on a daily basis and will include:
  • Soil cultivation, digging, forking, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging, pruning, bed preparation and planting
  • Care of the nursery areas: Growing plants, sowing seeds, planting bulbs, cultivating cuttings and transferring seedlings to pots and containers
  • Lawn maintenance and cultivation
• The use of cylinder and rotary mowers, strimmers and leaf blowers; adjust mower height and quality of cut; check oil levels and complete damage checks on any mower
• The use and maintenance of hand tools and basic light machinery and plant
• To ensure all equipment, machinery and buildings are kept secure and to be aware of and report any security risks posed within the site
• To help keep the gardens and site in general free from litter
• Undertake gritting, salt spreading and snow cleaning, when necessary
• Interact with members of the public in a courteous and professional manner at all times
• Ensure an up-to-date knowledge of relevant best practice and statutory regulations, including Health and Safety and environmental legislation
• Maintain understanding of all emergency procedures; help coordinate & engage in practice routines
• Attend team meetings & undertake agreed actions; Attend formal & informal training as required
• Using plant machinery as required (e.g. forklift, JCB, chain saw)
• Support the Keeper Team with planting for enclosures
• Assist maintenance and building team, as appropriate
• Contribute to a pleasant working environment & atmosphere, raising any issues professionally with Senior Managers/HR and in line with WHF policies and procedures
• Contribute to positive communication and collaborative working between departments
• Interact with members of the public and other staff/volunteers etc. in a positive and professional manner at all times
• Other duties to support effective and efficient site working, as required

Job Requirements (Essential)

• Previous experience of gardening/landscaping
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle (the Big Cat Sanctuary is not accessible by public transport)

Working Conditions

• Occasional early and late working will be required to accommodate deadlines or special events
• We have a non-smoking working environment
• We give statutory holiday entitlement
• This position will pay initially at our minimum wage (£5.00 – £8.30 per hour depending on age), which will be reviewed on the successful completion of a 6-month probationary period

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to lisa@thebigcatsanctuary.org stating the reference ASSISTANT Gardener in the email title. Any applications through other channels will be disregarded. All successful candidates will be contacted via email to arrange interviews.

This vacancy will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received, therefore you should submit your application as soon as possible.