Jobs

Groundsperson

Organisation: The National Trust for Scotland

Salary: £27,976

Location: Craigievar Castle, Alford, AB33 8JF

JOB PURPOSE
This job exists in order to ensure that the grounds and policies of the property are managed and maintained as a recognised landscape of outstanding historical importance, contributing to the property’s overall conservation and development, and its enjoyment by visitors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Ensuring the conservation and practical maintenance of the grounds, (excluding Gardens) etc., – whether through delegation to other staff/volunteers, or personal participation – in terms of ensuring best practice is followed in:
o Health & Safety ensure you follow all relevant and appropriate Risk Assessments and that as part of the grounds team, operate to activity procedures
o Complete all relevant Health, Safety and Welfare logs, relevant to the role , and ensure compliance with legislation where appropriate.
o Assist in delivery of all operations to ensure all grounds are managed to reduce risk to the visiting public, other staff, buildings etc.
o Have an awareness of specific environmental risks relevant to ground’s operations, e.g. Weils/Lyme’s Disease
• Ensure all work is delivered to the highest standard as agreed by the on-site management and directed by Landscape Manager
• Working as a member of the property team and alongside the Northeast Ranger Service at times, in preparing the grounds for visitors’ enjoyment, this will include:
o Drainage works, conservation of the Property Health +Safety.
o Assist with waste disposal, (ranging from domestic waste bins to large scale skip and recycling)
o Grass Cutting
o Hedge Trimming
o Pathways, Boardwalk, small bridge repairs.
o Assisting in responding to faults identified during in-house inspections/ insurance inspections
o Assisting with brush/ scrub/ tree clearance
o Road maintenance, (remedial work to pot-holes)
o Fencing
o Repair & maintain signage
o Other tasks as required
• Recognition of the Trust’s Environmental Policy with respect to sustainable ground-keeping activities, including energy, water, pesticide-use & waste management;
• Assist with event set-up and operations as required
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
Qualifications
• NPTC- PA1/PA6 Units in spraying or willingness to be trained
• First Aid certificated or willingness to be trained
• LANTRA certificated, or acceptable alternative in use of Agriculture machinery (mini tractor with attachments), Brush Cutters, and Strimmer’s or willingness to be trained
• A full clean driving license, valid for driving within the UK

Skills, Experience & Knowledge
Essential
• Sound knowledge of basic tool and machinery use and maintenance;
• Ability to learn good Health and Safety processes and procedures and the ability to work effectively within these processes;
• The ability and confidence to interact politely with visitors & skills in dealing with the wider public generally. The ability to represent the Trust when speaking with visitors.
• An understanding and commitment to the aims and objectives of the National Trust for Scotland.
• Living the values of the National Trust for Scotland and encourage colleagues to do the same
o The ability and willingness to understand others’ perspectives and to consider the impact of your actions on them and to adapt your actions as necessary.
o The ability and willingness to learn and try new things, to be flexible and step outside of your comfort zone.
o An open and honest way of communicating, ready to ask others for their ideas and to be open to hear and consider different points of view.
o A pro-active approach to taking initiative and to driving forward ideas and projects designed to improve daily operations and deliver an exceptional visitor experience.

Desirable
• Experience of working within an estate team

Application Deadline: Sunday 08/03/2026