National Gardens Specialist Limited
Woodland & Estate Worker
Department/Division: Gardens Team
Based at: The Heath House
Reports to: Head of Woodland & Estate
Employment type: Full-time
Normal hours: Flexible, 5 days out of 7
Basic salary: £24,000–£28,000 p.a., dependent on experience and qualifications
Annual Leave: 33 days p.a., including bank holidays
Statutory Entitlements: All statutory entitlements, including SSP, workplace pension etc.
Employment term: Permanent
About The Heath House
The Heath House is a private family estate with extensive gardens, woodlands, meadows and parkland. As custodians, we are in the early stages of a significant restoration project that includes revitalising the landscape, enhancing biodiversity, and delivering sustainable land and habitat management across the estate.
Position Summary: Woodland & Estate Worker
We are seeking a practical, motivated and collaborative Woodland & Estate Worker to support the development and day-to-day care of the woodland, meadow and wider estate grounds at Heath House. This is a hands-on role requiring a strong work ethic, seasonal awareness, and a passion for working outdoors in a varied, naturalistic setting.
You will work closely with the Woodland & Estate Lead and external contractors to help deliver ecological, horticultural and land-based projects, ensuring high standards of care, safety and sustainability. The ideal candidate will have experience working on traditional estate grounds or in conservation-based settings and will be eager to learn and develop further.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in implementing woodland and grassland management tasks, including planting, pruning, coppicing, thinning, mowing, and mulching.
- Support seasonal maintenance of the estate’s meadows, parkland and boundaries, including mowing, hedge trimming, and managing pathways and access routes.
- Carry out tree care tasks under supervision, including formative pruning, brashing, and felling of small and large trees (subject to certification).
- Undertake mowing and general maintenance in selected areas of the formal gardens as required, ensuring presentation standards are maintained.
- Support efforts to control invasive species across the estate.
- Use and maintain a wide range of estate machinery and tools safely and effectively (e.g., strimmer, chainsaw, mower, chipper).
- Help prepare areas for ecological and landscape enhancement work, including habitat creation and planting schemes.
- Contribute to the upkeep of a safe, clean and orderly estate environment.
- Work alongside contractors as required, maintaining a positive and cooperative attitude.
- Follow all site health and safety procedures and undertake routine checks and reporting of equipment or hazards.
- Work collaboratively with other Heads of Department (e.g., Productive, Ornamental) as operational needs arise across the garden and estate.
Person Specification
Essential
- Minimum of 2 years' experience in estate, grounds, or woodland maintenance.
- Competence in the safe use of tools and machinery, with appropriate qualifications (e.g., chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting, felling small trees, brushcutter, tractor driving, chipper).
- A practical understanding of woodland, grassland or habitat management.
- Ability to work outdoors in all weathers and carry out physically demanding work.
- Good communication skills and a collaborative approach.
- Basic IT literacy and ability to maintain simple records.
- A valid UK driving licence.
Desirable
- Level 2 qualification in horticulture, arboriculture, or countryside management (or working towards).
- PA1/PA6 pesticide application certification.
- Experience working in a private estate or conservation-led garden or landscape.
- An interest in ecology, biodiversity and sustainable land use.
- First aid qualification.
To apply, please send a copy of your CV and a letter of introduction by email to Michael Walker, National Gardens Specialist nationalgardensspecialist@gmail.com
Closing Date: 04/11/2025 Location: Tean, Staffordshire