Craft Gardener; Temple Newsam

Job title: Craft Gardener

Salary: B3 £ 26,403 - £28,142

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent / Full-time

Location: Temple Newsam Estate

As a Craft Gardener, you’ll thrive as part of the team at Temple Newsam in delivering a high quality, Green Flag standard attraction. Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

You will require considerable practical horticultural experience, together with an NVQ2 or equivalent in Amenity Horticulture. Applicants who can demonstrate a significant period of work experience without formal qualifications will also be considered.

Work includes all aspects of horticultural maintenance, including lifting, digging, hard and soft landscaping, preparation of ground for planting and establishment of plants, weed spraying, laying, establishing and maintenance of turf, fencing, construction and maintenance of landscape features and grass cutting using a ride‑on mower. In addition, the Craft Gardener will assist in the mentoring and training of new Gardening Apprentices in horticultural methods and practices and specific machinery use.

• Ability to support and work as part of a team.
• Relevant skills to maintain a top quality attraction.
• Embrace the Council Values.
• Treat people fairly and with respect.

This post is based in the beautiful Walled Gardens at Temple Newsam Estate, Leeds, where the team are responsible for all aspects of horticulture and general grounds maintenance of this 600‑hectare historic parkland, formal gardens, sports fields and amenity grassland. The role will assist in the development, management and delivery of the historic gardens and grounds and their use for public access and events.

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

Please complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Mark Darwell at  or call .

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying.

To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

To undertake day‑to‑day gardening maintenance and horticultural operations.

• Undertake manual labouring duties as required, including lifting and carrying materials and tools.
• Prepare land for planting, digging, and forking and establish plants.
• Undertake the planting and aftercare of annual, biennial and perennial plants.
• Maintain turf and grassed areas using mowing machinery.
• Assist with the construction of basic hard landscape features and surfaces.
• Carry out tasks without direct supervision.
• Supervise and train staff, including seasonal staff, trainees, volunteers and work placements, and undertake the training of small teams of mixed horticultural ability.
• Undertake mentoring of gardening apprentices.
• Interpret and work on…