Gardener - 37.5 hours per week, permanent contract
A unique opportunity within the garden team to assist in all aspects of managing an organic kitchen garden, ornamental garden, lawns, woodland and orchards alongside the Head Gardeners. You will contribute and build upon a range of skills from growing fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers, crop planning to sowing, cultivation, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, mowing, strimming, pruning, clearing, garden maintenance and irrigation.
About the role
We are looking for a well-organised and flexible person to join our garden team. We are a registered charity caring for the historic Grade I-listed Sharpham House and Estate on the banks of the River Dart near to Totnes. At the heart of the Sharpham Trust ethos is our desire to build a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally sustainable world. We connect people with nature and foster mindfulness and well-being through our programme of retreats, mindfulness courses, public events, outdoor learning and the arts.
We are able to offer a unique opportunity within the garden team to assist in all aspects of managing an organic kitchen garden, ornamental garden, lawns, woodland and orchards, alongside the Head Gardeners. You will contribute and build upon a range of skills from growing fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers, crop planning to sowing, cultivation, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, mowing, strimming, pruning, clearing, garden maintenance and irrigation. The Gardener will regularly facilitate retreatants who will be working in the gardens on a daily basis carrying out a variety of tasks as part of their mindfulness retreat, as well as a once weekly volunteer group. We also host Garden Trainees on 12-month placements who receive theoretical training from the Apricot Centre and practical training from our garden team.
This is a varied role, within a small team, in an organisation which has seen significant growth in recent years and is committed in the pursuit of its charitable objectives. There can be no better environment to work in than the one offered at Sharpham.
About you
This is a role for someone who is well organised with excellent communication skills, patience and empathy and the ability to work on their own initiative, as part of a small team. Previous experience as below is expected, but some training will also be provided. You will ideally bring with you a strong focus on sustainable food growing as well as flexibility, openness and a sense of humour. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, practical, willing to learn and contribute to a hard-working team.
An interest in the Trust’s charitable work and mindfulness would also be an advantage. Staff are able to access the Trust’s programme of mindfulness courses and retreats.
For this role you will need to be able to travel to Sharpham House which is not served by public transport.
Job Description and how to apply
Download and read through the job description (here as PDF, here as Word.doc)
To apply, download our application form (here as PDF, here as Word.doc) and return to [email protected]
Closing Date: Monday 9th October – 9am
Interviews: w/c 16th October
Informal Enquiries
Before submitting an application, you may wish to discuss the post further by contacting our Head Gardeners on: [email protected]
