About the role
As a Trainee Gardener at Homestead Park, you will work alongside professional gardeners to develop your skills and knowledge. In addition to learning on the job, you will attend college or complete other training, working towards a qualification equivalent to RHS Level 2, or in a related area such as Permaculture, Organic Gardening, or Therapeutic Horticulture.
You will take part in a wide variety of gardening tasks and projects, including one that you will lead from start to finish. There will also be opportunities to engage with the public and collaborate with volunteers.
The main goal of this role is to develop the next generation of skilled gardeners. We are committed to ecologically friendly gardening and creating a welcoming, safe and restorative park for everyone who visits.
While you will be expected to work as hard as any member of the team, we recognise that this is the start of your horticulture career. Your development is our top priority, and you will receive support and guidance from the Craft Gardeners and the rest of the team.
About you
We are looking for someone with a hardworking and conscientious nature, who has a genuine enthusiasm for learning about plants and the wider ecosystem. You should be able to work effectively both as part of a team and independently, following guidance when needed. Experience in gardening or growing (including voluntary) is essential, along with a solid understanding of health and safety, including the use of personal protective equipment and the safe operation of tools, machinery and equipment.
Strong communication skills are required to ensure information is conveyed clearly and you should be confident engaging with the public in a friendly, helpful and welcoming manner. Basic computer skills are also required.
How to apply
If you share our passion and this role sounds like you, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you.
Please submit your CV and supporting information via our online application platform.
The closing date for applications is 3rd May 2026.
Interviews will take place on 18th & 19th May 2026.
We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward should enough quality applications be received prior to the current closing date.
Additional Information
Applications are welcome from all, regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socioeconomic background.
We positively encourage applications from people from marginalised backgrounds, including but not limited to those with experience of living in poverty.
We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and operate an anonymised recruitment process so that bias is eliminated from the shortlisting process.
In support of our approach to flexible working, we are happy to receive applications from those seeking full-time employment, as well as those who may want to share the role on a part-time basis. When making your application, please state whether you want to be considered for either full or part-time work and, if part-time, the number of hours per week you would be looking for.
At JRF we’re at our best when we’re continually building on trust, showing we care and making a difference – and hope others will do the same. So, for those roles which allow it, we’re developing a more blended approach to how and where you work. This means you can expect to work flexibly between the office and home (with an expectation of two days a week in your home office).
We offer a supportive and flexible workplace. For details about our benefits click here: JRF Benefits
We are a Disability Confident Employer. This means that we are committed to the recruitment, progression and retention of disabled individuals. We shall also offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you have a disability, please tell us if you would like to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
If you have any additional needs and need reasonable adjustments to be made to the interview process, please let us know
Salary description
£27317.00 - £27317.00 per year