Job Vacancy at Hill Close Gardens
25th July 2026
HILL CLOSE GARDENS TRUST
Ground Worker (Seasonal, Casual)
Job Description & Person Specification
Employer: Hill Close Gardens Trust Limited (a charitable company limited by guarantee)
Registered charity no.1085278
Company no. 03981067
Location : Hill Close Gardens, Bread and Meat Close, Warwick, CV34 6HF
Reports to: Head Gardener
Contract type: Fixed-term, casual/seasonal contract of employment (12 weeks)
Hours: 16 hours per week, worked over 2–3 days by agreement (may include occasional weekend working)
Pay: National Living Wage / National Minimum Wage as applicable to age (currently £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over; the appropriate statutory rate applies to younger workers), paid monthly in arrears
Start date: August/September 2026 (exact date to be confirmed with the successful candidate)
Closing date: TBC
Holiday entitlement: Accrued pro rata in line with statutory entitlement
Probationary period: First 4 weeks of the contract
Role Purpose
The Ground Worker will provide hands-on, practical support to the Head Gardener and wider Garden Team during a busy seasonal period, helping to maintain the gardens to a high standard for the many visitors who enjoy the site each year.
This is a physically active, outdoor role, well suited to someone who enjoys practical horticultural and grounds maintenance work and who is comfortable working as part of a small, close-knit team.
Key Responsibilities
Assisting with mowing, general lawn care and hedge maintenance.
Supporting composting and waste management.
Keeping pathways, garden areas and public spaces tidy, safe and welcoming for visitors, staff and volunteers.
Assisting with general grounds maintenance and seasonal garden tasks.
Supporting volunteers and garden staff with practical outdoor work.
Carrying out all duties in line with the Trust’s health and safety policies and safe working procedures, including safe use of tools and equipment.
Reporting any hazards, accidents, near misses, or safeguarding concerns promptly to the Head Gardener.
Person Specification
Essential:
Reliable, punctual, and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
Able to undertake physically demanding tasks, including manual handling, lifting and moving materials, and general gardening work.
A positive, flexible approach and willingness to learn.
Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
Understanding of the importance of health and safety in a public visitor setting.
Desirable
Previous experience of ground maintenance, gardening, horticulture or a similar outdoor role.
Experience of working with, or alongside, volunteers.
Terms of Employment
This role is offered as a fixed-term casual/seasonal contract of employment; it is not a self-employed engagement and is subject to PAYE.
The postholder will be entitled to statutory holiday, accrued pro rata for hours worked, and to statutory sick pay where eligible.
The Trust operates a workplace pension scheme and will automatically enroll eligible workers in line with UK auto-enrolment legislation.
Appointment is subject to satisfactory references and confirmation of the right to work in the UK, in line with the Trust’s legal obligations under UK immigration law.
As the role involves working on a site open to the public, including families and children, the successful candidate will be expected to complete a safeguarding briefing and to work at all times in line with the Trust’s Safeguarding Policy.
Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training relevant to the role will be provided.
How to Apply
To apply, please send a CV and a short covering email explaining your interest in the role to Neil, our Head Gardener at headgardener@hcgt.org.uk and please copy Sue, sjhaughton@hcgt.org.uk a trustee of the Trust.
Closing date for applications: to be confirmed.
Early applications are encouraged, as suitable candidates may be interviewed on a rolling basis.
Additional Information:
Equal Opportunities Statement
Hill Close Gardens Trust is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all areas of its work, and to complying with the Equality Act 2010.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences, and particularly encourage applications from groups currently under-represented within our staff and volunteer teams.
We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for employees, volunteers and visitors alike.
Recruitment and selection decisions are made fairly, consistently, and based solely on individual merit, skills and experience.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.
About Hill Close Gardens Trust
Hill Close Gardens Trust is an independent charity that cares for Warwick’s nationally important, Grade II listed Victorian pleasure gardens. Hidden behind historic hedges in the heart of the town, the sixteen restored garden plots are looked after by a small staff team supported by a large and dedicated community of volunteers.
The Trust’s mission is to preserve and maintain the gardens as a welcoming, accessible and financially sustainable visitor attraction, and to inform, engage and inspire visitors through the site’s horticultural and social history. For more information, please visit hillclosegardens.com.
Data Protection
Personal information provided as part of your application will be processed by Hill Close Gardens Trust in accordance with UK data protection law (the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018) and will be used solely for the purposes of this recruitment process.