JOB DESCRIPTION
ROLE: Seasonal Gardener 2026
REPORTING TO: Head Gardener
Pay: Above minimum wage
Hours: 16 hours per week, over 2 days (Mon – Fri)
Contract length 1st June – 25th September 2026
ROLE SUMMARY: The role of seasonal Gardener is concerned with maintaining the excellent appearance of the park, providing a friendly professional image to visitors and assisting in the care and maintenance of all Pensthorpe’s plant collections, including in the Courtyard and at Pensthorpe Hall
Main Responsibilities
As part of the Garden team you will perform a varied and physical role undertaking a range of activities in all weathers helping to keep the park looking its best and providing a welcoming greeting to visitors.
You will be required to:
1. Safely maintain and operate, a range of tools and equipment , reporting any defects or concerns to your line manager
2. Complete general maintenance tasks, as instructed, such as litter picking, emptying bins and general cleaning and tidying
3. Contribute to the development and maintenance of the gardens, as directed by the Head Gardener including manual handling, planting, propagation, hedge cutting, border work, pruning, working from height and watering
4. Undertake certain responsibilities as delegated by the Head Gardener including volunteer supervision, inductions on machinery, risk assessments, care of workshops and polytunnel.
5. Apply knowledge of the plant collections and be responsible for its care and maintenance
6. Ensure all planting records are always kept up to date
7. Carry out pruning, mulching, blub planting, cutting down the Millennium Garden, clearing all the gardens after winter, dividing perennials
8. Undertake regular weeding and watering through the summer, division in autumn, building and maintenance of wildlife habitats throughout the year, maintaining ponds and water ways, mowing and strimming throughout the main season
1. Assist with the organisation and supervision of volunteers, contractors, working parties and external volunteer groups
2. Support other members of staff and volunteers on projects for which they are responsible for.
3. Assist with the supervision, training and development of any students, volunteers, and work placements, sharing your skills and experience.
1. Be an ambassador for Pensthorpe, showing exceptional standards of customer care; greeting customers with a smile and always showing courtesy.
2. Take the necessary action to ensure the safety of visitors.
3. Effectively direct customers to all parts of the attraction, including café, toilets, outdoor sites, enclosures and special interest areas
1. Be an active team member and work to ensure good teamwork and communication is achieved
2. Take part and contribute to team meetings and put forward ideas and feedback in order to improve ways of working
3. Maintain professional and positive behaviours in your treatment of others, showing respect and consideration at all times
4. Work collaboratively with colleagues in order to meet the objectives of the business
1. Implement the legal obligation to maintain a safe working environment at all times
2. Follow the company’s procedures, as described in the Health & Safety Policy
3. Take active responsibility for maintaining own health & wellbeing and working within personal limits for manual handling
4. Report concerns or anything unsafe to the Head Gardener or in his absence another senior manager, and report accidents, near misses, and so on to a first aider
1. Attend work with a clean and smart appearance, wearing the appropriate attire
2. Undertake any other tasks that may be reasonably requested
3. Implement the policies and procedures set out in the Employment Handbook
4. Respond to animal emergency circumstances according to approved protocols i.e CPR on a flamingo.
5. Show a willingness to work outside normal hours
Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 16 weeks
Pay: £12.80 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Experience:
- Gardening: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
