Experienced Gardener/Estate Worker

To join a team at Lee Ford, Knowle, Budleigh Salterton, maintaining the estate and gardens. Work includes grounds and woodland maintenance, tractor driving, mowing, leaf blowing and sweeping, gardening and vegetable growing, machinery maintenance, building janitorial work, car cleaning. Clean driving licence, non-smoker, current chainsaw certification essential and a spraying certificate advisable. Starting pay £25,000 – £28,000 for 39 hours per week, 29 days annual holiday inclusive of all Bank Holidays.

Lee Ford, Budleigh Salterton, EX9 7AJ

Lee Ford has been in the ownership of the same family for the past 75 years. It extends to 43 acres of grounds, including some 10 acres of ornamental woodland, 28 acres of grassland, 4 acres of formal garden, including a walled garden, greenhouses and a poly tunnel. There is an Estate Manager and a Head Gardener, who manages the formal garden.

Job Description

A vacancy now exists for an all the year round full time gardener/estate worker, with tree and chainsaw experience, who will adapt to a wide range of tasks.

The job includes maintaining the formal gardens, grounds and ornamental woodland, including mowing and other tractor work, gardening including vegetable growing, use of petrol and electric hedge cutters and leaf blowers, keeping ditches clear of leaves, brambles and fallen timber, chainsaw work, machinery maintenance and assistance with estate building work. Certification of competency for chainsaw work essential, spraying preferred.

Janitorial work

Regular inspections and cleaning of all gutters and downpipes and drain gullies, flat roofs, roof valleys and drain gully traps, and sweeping leaves and moss, particularly around the main house, occasional cleaning of the Estate Office, outbuildings and cars.

The above list is typical of what the job entails, but it is not necessarily exhaustive. Clean driving licence, non-smoker.

Summary of Employment Terms and Conditions, May 2022

1. Employer

Nigel Lindsay-Fynn, Lee Ford.

2. Hours of Work

39 hour week

Monday - Thursday 8.00 am - 4.30 pm

Friday 8.00 am - 3.30 pm

Less a 30 minute break for lunch 1.00 pm - 1.30 pm and separately

3. Payment of Remuneration

Monthly salary paid by bank transfer on the Friday nearest to the 25th of the month. Subject to annual review each 1st April. Income tax, NIC and the pension contribution will be deducted.

4. Holiday Entitlement

29 days per year, inclusive of all Bank Holidays. The holiday year runs from 1st April to 31st March in the following year. Holidays must be taken in the holiday year to which they apply. Timing of holidays must be agreed in advance with the employer.

5. Pension

The employer operates a NEST pension scheme in which the employee currently contributes 5% and the employer 3% of salary. The employee has an option to opt out of the scheme at any point or take a “holiday” from payments.

6. Notice Period

For the first three months, one week, and thereafter, one month, on either side.

7. Salary

£25,000 to £28,000 depending on experience and any qualifications.

8. References

References will be required.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £25,000.00-£28,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• On-site parking

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

COVID-19 considerations:
To keep our employees safe we provide gloves and hand sanitiser. All roles can safely social distance.

Work Location: In person