Job Summary:
A large Private Estate is seeking a full-time, live-in employee for a permanent position. The role involves contributing to the upkeep of a forested park, a large kitchen garden (where all the cooking veg comes from), and a formal French garden, all while working as part of a versatile team of approximately ten people, under the supervision of an estate manager.
The role requires an experienced candidate, skilled in modern gardening techniques: permaculture, companion planting, mulching, greenhouse cultivation, etc.
A strong creative and aesthetic sense is essential for this role and a very high level of finish and attention to detail is expected. An intermediate level French speaker is required.
Job specification:
Maintaining and gardening a one-hectare kitchen garden combining flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Maintaining forest paths and meadows. Pruning and caring for trees. Regularly trimming boxwood and hedges. Performing various other tasks related to the general maintenance of the estate (e.g., painting, weeding, fence maintenance, leaf collection, minor repairs, occasionally looking after small farm animals, etc.). A very high level of finish and attention to detail is expected.
Garden and Kitchen Garden (Spring/Summer)
The primary focus in spring and summer will be:
Gardening a one-hectare vegetable garden (including sowing, tracking growth, and harvesting). Trimming boxwood and hedges in a large formal French garden.
Forest and Outdoor Work
Drive and operate a tractor and ride on lawnmowers. Carry out various Handyperson tasks. Use agricultural equipment (mulcher, flail mower, baler, etc.). Maintain their tools and equipment (e.g., sharpening chainsaws). Use a chainsaw for felling and cutting wood in the forest. Perform forestry maintenance (clearing young plants, removing fallen trees, brush clearing, etc.). Produce firewood (cutting, splitting). Install fences (wooden rail and wire)
Candidate specification:
We are looking for a hard-working, versatile, discreet, honest, and proactive individual with a positive attitude and the ability to work well in a team. Training or significant experience in horticulture, forestry, or landscape gardening is desired. Strong references will be required, and a portfolio or photos of previous work may be requested. Driver’s license (Category B) required. start date to be agreed based on availability. Compensation adapted to the candidate’s experience and qualifications. French speaking would be important but some knowledge of French would be essential, some of the other staff at the property speak Portuguese & French.
Accommodation:
Separate cottage, suitable for a family and/or pets. It is remote, in a forest, closest town is 20min drive.
Police Check or DBS check required at offer stage
How to apply:
Applying for this position: Please email your interest in this position to [email protected] Please ensure you include the reference number for the position you are applying for (found at the top of the advert). For candidates who are not currently registered with Eden Private Staff, please include an up-to-date CV when applying. Applicants for this position should have excellent checkable references and a valid DBS. Please note we only register candidates with a minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role. If applying for a UK based role, please ensure you have the correct right to work documentation as we are unable to support with visa applications or sponsorships.