Department: Pecorama
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a passionate and experienced Assistant Head Gardener at Pecorama/Peco in Beer, Devon.

Set on a 9-acre site, the gardens are varied – from the Celebrity Designed ‘Millennium Gardens’ – a series of outdoor ‘rooms’ which also  incorporate a roof garden, scented walkways, a snake path, a shell grotto and wonderful hard landscaping; to the ‘Wildway’ which includes a woodland, mini lake, wildflowers and plenty of grass and hedging. All located on a hillside, with stunning views overlooking Lyme Bay. The location itself provides interesting and exciting challenges, along with the fact we have what is considered by many to be one of the finest 7¼ inch gauge railways in Britain, the Beer Heights Light Railway (BHLR). This amazing miniature railway runs through the gardens and ‘Wildway’ where the track bed edgings need to be horticulturally manicured.

Main purpose:
The hands-on Assistant Head Gardener will work closely with a small team in the general upkeep and maintenance of the gardens and grounds ensuring a high horticultural standard, work ethic and professional manner at all times. This role will also be integral to the ongoing design,
development, and improvement of the gardens. It is envisaged there will be the progression to Head Gardener for the right person when appropriate.

Responsible to: Head Gardener

Main Tasks:
The Assistant Head Gardener is responsible for assisting in all aspects of horticulture and presentation of the garden, including but not limited to the following:
• Assisting in the management of all areas of the site
• Working within and directing the team as requested by the Head Gardener
• Keeping equipment and tools in good order/repair
• Monitoring plant health, flagging problems and applying appropriate treatments
• Weekend and holiday cover
• Cultivating all borders to the expected standard
• Assistance in choosing, ordering, and planting of annuals and all other plants including trees as appropriate
• Maintaining all grass areas to a high standard, pruning, hedging and shrubs
• Monitoring and maintaining the lake including its wildlife
• Maintaining paths throughout the site
• Liaising with and supervising external contractors (e.g., tree surgeons, grass cutting)
• Work safely alongside visitors and other onsite staff alike
• Managing garden compost system
• Ensure the team is working in a safe environment.
• Encouraging team skill development, motivation, and communication.
• Help maintain garden furniture
• Help with garden construction

The Assistant Head Gardener is accountable to the Head Gardener for the expenditure on routine garden supplies within the remit of the budget.

Technical Skills:
Suitable candidates will preferably hold academic RHS horticultural qualifications including plant identification, though candidates with extensive relevant knowledge and hands on experience will
not be discounted. Applicants must be physically fit and practically minded, have a good all round plant knowledge, be competent to operate and understand the H&S requirements on a range of machinery and be able and willing to pass on their knowledge to the team at every opportunity. A full driving license is essential, with practical experience with small tractors and their attachments, desirable but not essential.

Person Skills:
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong teamworking skills, with an ability to motivate others and to lead or help to manage Teams and projects.
• Flexible and adaptable to compromise.
• Commercial awareness.
• Work in a timely manner.
• Punctual and reliable.

Pay: Negotiable and depends on experience with a review after 3 months
Working hours: The working week is 39 hours per week, normally 8am to 4.45pm with a half hour for lunch and a 15-minute breakfast break and a 10-minute afternoon tea break. The working day finishes at 2.30
on a Friday but hours may have to vary during the ‘Annual’ planting season and when there are extended dry periods. During the main holiday period, some weekend hours will be required.
Holiday: Annual leave of 28-days including public holidays is provided but not during May and June unless
emergencies arise.
Benefits: PECO operates a subsidised canteen, which provides hot and cold meals on weekdays.
Free car parking.
A company pension scheme is available, and staff are auto enrolled after 3 months.
A staff pass is provided to allow you to visit the attraction of PECORAMA.
Staff are welcome to use the PECORAMA grounds during break and lunch times.
A staff discount is available within our model and souvenir shop, if the goods are for your own use.
Other: This position has a 3-month probation period.
Internal and external training opportunities.

Department: Pecorama
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a passionate Gardener at Pecorama/Peco in Beer, Devon. 

Set on a 9-acre site, the gardens are varied – from the Celebrity Designed ‘Millennium Gardens’ –
a series of outdoor ‘rooms’ which also incorporate a roof garden, scented walkways, a snake
path, a shell grotto and wonderful hard landscaping; to the ‘Wildway’ which includes a woodland,
mini lake, wildflowers and plenty of grass and hedging. All located on a hillside, with stunning
views overlooking Lyme Bay. The location itself provides interesting and exciting challenges,
along with the fact we have what is considered by many to be one of the finest 7¼ inch gauge
railways in Britain, the Beer Heights Light Railway (BHLR). This amazing miniature railway runs
through the gardens and ‘Wildway’ where the track bed edgings need to be horticulturally
manicured.

Main purpose:
The hands-on Gardener will work closely with a small team in the general upkeep and maintenance of the gardens and grounds ensuring a high horticultural standard, work ethic and professional manner at all times.

Responsible to: The Head Gardener

Main Tasks:
The Gardener is responsible for assisting in all aspects of horticulture and presentation of the
garden, including but not limited to the following:
• Assist in all areas of the site
• Work within the team as requested by the head gardener
• Assist in path sweeping, litter picking, watering, weeding, grass and hedge cutting and
refuse collection on site
• Keep equipment and tools in good order/repair
• Cultivate all borders to the expected standard
• Maintain all grass areas to a high standard, pruning, hedging and shrubs
• Help monitor and maintain the lake including its wildlife
• Maintain paths throughout the site
• Work alongside visitors and other onsite staff alike
• Assist with the management of garden compost system

Technical Skills:
• Suitable candidates will preferably be interested in gardening and outdoor work
• Prepared to work according to rota as part of a team including at weekends if required
• Punctual and reliable
• Be competent to operate and understand the H&S requirements on a range of machinery
• Able to work without constant supervision
• A full driving license is preferred, with practical experience with small tractors and their attachments, desirable but not essential.

Person Skills:
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• General good physical fitness due to the location and nature of the work. Outside work will be year-round.
• Strong teamworking skills, with an ability work in a close-knit Team
• Flexible and adaptable to compromise.
• Commercial awareness.
• Work in a timely manner.
• Punctual and reliable.

Pay: Negotiable and depends on experience with a review after 3 months
Working hours: The working week is 39 hours per week, normally 8am to 4.45pm with a half hour for lunch and a 15-minute breakfast break and a 10-minute afternoon tea break. The working day finishes at 2.30 on a Friday but hours may have to vary during the ‘Annual’ planting season and when there are
extended dry periods. During the main holiday period, some weekend hours will be required.
Holiday: Annual leave of 28-days including public holidays is provided but not during May and June unless emergencies arise.

Benefits:

PECO operates a subsidised canteen, which provides hot and cold meals on weekdays.
Free car parking.
A company pension scheme is available, and staff are auto enrolled after 3 months.
A staff pass is provided to allow you to visit the attraction of PECORAMA.
Staff are welcome to use the PECORAMA grounds during break and lunchtimes.
A staff discount is available within our model and souvenir shop, if the goods are for your own use.

Other: This position has a 3-month probation period.
Internal and external training opportunities.