The role:

For this role, we are looking for a reliable, conscientious and highly motivated person to join us on our 18 th Century Estate in the heart of Dorset. Our beautiful 35-acre formal gardens were created by the Hanbury Family between 1915 and 1922 with year-round interest including two National Plant collections, sweeping lawns, lakeside walks, walled garden within the eighteenth-century Capability Brown style parkland setting and the vestiges of a Victorian garden. We also have wooded areas, sports lawns, footpaths and large areas of recreational grass used by our students, staff and visitors.

Management of the substantial glasshouses forms a major part of the Head Gardener's role. This area houses the main teaching rooms and, is used for the production and protection of the Kingston Maurward plant stock.

The successful candidate will also lead a team of gardeners responsible for: grounds maintenance work, planting and pruning across all areas of the Kingston Maurward Estate, including in our listed gardens walled garden and wooded areas. Duties will include managing the mowing of large grassed areas, maintenance of planted areas, survey and management of trees and wooded areas.

Applicants must hold a full, clean driving licence, have experience of driving light commercial vehicles, and towing trailers. Applicants must have a can-do attitude and the ability to enthuse, engage and motivate staff and students. Previous experience of grounds and tree maintenance work, skilled horticultural tasks and use of handheld machinery is essential.

For the Job Description and Person Specification please Click Here

Benefits

In addition to working on the beautiful 18th Century Estate, you will benefit from the following:

Membership to the Local Government Pension Scheme. This is a defined benefit scheme with generous employer contributions
25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata for part-time staff)
Cycle to work scheme
Free on-site car parking
A range of on-site catering facilities
Optional health cash plan
Free use of the on-site gym
Career development opportunities
Reduced on-site horse livery rate - subject to suitability

For an informal discussion about the role, the qualifications needed or your suitability, please call Mark Burgess on 01305 215000, option 1 extension 3304 during normal working hours.

Status:

Permanent

Hours:

39 hours per week Monday - Friday with weekend glasshouse / nursery duties on a rota basis

Salary:

£34,898 per annum for 39 hours which is point 29 on the salary scales.

Reference Number:

MAN60

Department:

Gardens

Closing Date:

Friday 16 May 2025 at 9:00am

Interview Date:

W/c 19 May

To Apply:

Applicants for this position must complete an employment application form .

CVs may be submitted but only in support of a fully completed application form.

We are not accepting CVs at this stage from Recruitment Agencies: any submissions without prior authorisation from the HR Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

The college doesn't hold a sponsorship licence therefore we are not open to candidates who require sponsorship under the points-based system.

Please return the completed Application Form by email to recruitment@kmc.ac.uk or by post to:

HR Administrator
Kingston Maurward
Dorchester
Dorset
DT2 8PY

Kingston Maurward College reserves the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

For further details on application forms or the recruitment process, please Click Here

You will be asked to provide evidence of all the qualifications listed on your application form at interview.

Please ensure you read our GDPR Candidate Privacy Notice to understand how your data is processed. This can be found on the College's Website under "Work for Us"

Kingston Maurward College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

The College welcomes applications from people with a disability and will offer interviews to all those who are able to reasonably fulfil the criteria outlined in this Job Description. If applicants with a disability shortlisted for interview require any assistance in attending please contact the College's Human Resources Manager in order that alternative arrangements are made.

Following receipt of completed application forms, if you have not heard from the College within 2 weeks of the closing date regrettably you will not have been short listed on this occasion. All short listed applicants will be contacted within 2 weeks of the closing date or no later than 3 days prior to the interview date (where an interview date is specified).

Kingston Maurward College

New Jobs

Head Gardener