Groundsperson – Garden of Cosmic Speculation Full Time NEW

We are looking to take on a new Groundsperson to join the friendly and hardworking team at the Garden of Cosmic Speculation.

The role will report to the Lead Groundsperson and involves working with an Assistant Groundsperson and the Assistant Head Gardener and, at times, specialist contractors.  This exciting opportunity will allow the successful candidate to develop their skills in one of the most interesting and prestigious private gardens in Scotland.

Inspired by modern cosmology, there are 30 acres of garden containing unique architectural landscaping, incorporating sculpture with natural features and sweeping curves. Created by theorist Charles Jencks the nature of this garden means that there is a wide variety of day-to-day duties as well as seasonal tasks.

With this in mind, the team is looking for someone who is adaptable, flexible and comfortable working in a physically demanding, outdoor, environment.  Rain or shine we are always busy – being happy to work outside in all weathers is essential.

You should have a good eye for detail and be able to work independently.

The successful candidate will have:

·       Knowledge and practical experience of grounds maintenance techniques, acquired through working on a golf course, large estate or equivalent

·       Grass cutting using hover mowers, push mowers, ride on mowers, remote control mowers, strimmers & brushcutters, leaf blowers and ideally chainsaws

·       Lawn care, including scarifying, hollow tine aeration, feeding etc.

·       Knowledge of and adherence to all current Health and Safety legislation in garden and ground environments; including COSHH, DSEAR, PUWER etc.

·       Experience in manual handling

·       Be fit and able, to undertake extended physical activity

·       Experience of working well in a team

·       Full clean UK driving licence

·       Ideally hold PA1 & PA6 backpack spraying certificates

·       Ideally be certified in the use of a chainsaw, for example NPTC 30 & 31, safe use of a saw and small tree felling

As well as working within the large gardens, the role includes the use of a range of power tools and machinery within our workshop.  It can also include handling and moving objects, installing and positioning sculptures or other artefacts, which although physical, requires skill and a level of delicacy and care.

General duties involve:

• Hedges – cutting and shaping
  Grass cutting – using hover mowers, push mowers, ride on mowers, remote control mowers, strimmers and brushcutters
  Lawn care – scarify, aerate, feed etc.
  Tree and shrub pruning and care
  Leaf collecting – including using blowers and tractor collector
  ·       Ponds and waterways – clearing and maintaining, including boat work
• Compost – maintenance of compost areas, turning and aeration of matter
• Hard landscaped areas – maintenance of landforms and sculptures
• Powered equipment maintenance, using PUWER records system
• Chainsaws – operation and maintenance
• Work sheds and tool maintenance
• Large machinery – operation of compact and full-size tractors, mowers, and occasionally pieces of hire equipment such as a cherry picker
• Firewood processing – cutting, splitting and stacking
• Waste processing – clearance, chipping, composting, burning etc.
• Pressure washing – paving, bridges, sculptural areas and tractors and machinery
• Assisting other team members as necessary
• In-house training will be given on all machinery and tools, with regular performance reviews, but some additional external training and assessment may be offered to you to be able to carry out certain tasks safely, such as use of the chainsaw, weed sprayers and tractors
• We have periodic visits from primary school groups as part of a new outreach programme however this does not normally impact any day to day work for the team

Hours of work are generally Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per week pro rata and are flexed in line with seasonal requirements.  You are expected to work over a weekend or two in any given year as part of the garden being opened to the public for charity under Scotland’s Gardens Scheme.  You are given time off in lieu for this work.

Salary is £23,400 – 29,655 per annum dependent on experience.

To apply for this role please send a CV and covering letter explaining what you feel you can bring to the role and why it is of interest to you to – recruitment@greenburn.co.uk

The closing date for applications is Friday 31st January 2025.

Whilst we endeavour to respond to all applications, this may not be possible if a high volume of applications has been received.