New forester opportunity
Title: Estate Forester
Location: The Wormsley Estate, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire
Reporting to: Director, Head of Woodland Management and Arboriculture, Savills UK and Wormsley’s Operations Manager
Salary: Competitive salary and benefits depending on experience.
WORMSLEY ESTATE
Wormsley is the private estate of the Getty Family and is located just off junction 5 of the M40 at Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire. The Estate can trace its roots back to a first mention in the Doomsday Book of 1196 and since 1597 has been in the possession of only two families. Sir Paul Getty acquired the Estate in 1985 and embarked on a seven-year programme of renovation and improvements bringing it back to life. This included the refurbishment of most of its properties creating some wonderful Chiltern barn conversions alongside major projects such as establishing the Lake and Island in the Deer Park, the laying of the now world-famous Cricket Ground, the building of the Wormsley Library (with over 6,000 rare books and manuscripts) and working with Penelope Hobhouse to re-establish the two-acre Walled Garden. Since Sir Paul’s death in 2003, a further broadening of the Estate’s activities has included the expansion of the Wormsley Shoot, the creation of the Robin Snell designed 600-seat Opera Pavilion (home of Garsington Opera) and Island Pavilion and the Boundary Room which overlooks the Cricket Ground. See www.wormsley.com for more information.
THE WOODLANDS AT WORMSLEY
The woodlands at Wormsley cover over 460 hectares. The woods have been managed proactively over the long term and provide a vital backdrop to many of the activities on the Estate. The Estate sits within the Chiltern AONB and the woodlands are one of the largest in single ownership, making them particularly important in this area, comprising mostly of ancient semi-natural woodland as well as one SSSI/SAC. They are mostly mixed broadleaf with some small areas of mixed conifer and large areas of mature beech and ash, the latter of which is being managed intensively in parts over the coming five years to increase species diversity in the light of ash dieback.
OVERALL JOB PURPOSE
This is a practical role to support the forestry and general estate operations. The regular tasks include mechanised forestry extraction, on-call reactive work to clear roads of fallen trees and branches, tractor and hedge cutter driving, machinery maintenance as appropriate and estate presentation. You will be the eyes and ears on the ground for the Head of Woodland Management and Arboriculture at Savills UK and will actively assist in the preparation and management of the woodlands at Wormsley.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Tasks will vary on a daily basis and will include:
- To act as the first point of contact for in-house forestry work
- To plan monthly and seasonal operations in conjunction with the Head of Woodland Management and Arboriculture, ensuring that all tree harvesting, including hardwood, softwood and broadleaf, is carried out as required
- To assist in preparing, submitting and implementing grant schemes for the woodlands
- To carry out forestry planting, restocking and maintenance
- To undertake all mechanical and chemical weeding operations as required
- To act as the first point of contact out of hours for emergency clearance of fallen trees and branches
- To assist in the Deer Count for the Estate
- Machinery maintenance and compliance and operation of the digger and dumper as required, ensuring servicing and health and safety checks are carried out including LOLER as appropriate
- To be responsible for hedge and verge trimming, plus small fence and gate repairs
- To be responsible for acting on blocked rights of way and proactively clearing overgrown areas
- Liaising with staff, tenants, members of the public and stakeholder organisations where necessary, including the on-site firewood business Chiltern Logs
- To be fully conversant with the Estate’s Staff Handbook and supporting policies, including Health and Safety legislation and fire and emergency procedures, attending training courses that are identified as being necessary for the performance of the role
- Undertake additional or amended duties as appropriate to the post as may be allocated from time to time.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Excellent understanding of forestry operations
- High level of practical skills and certification, including operating tractors, trailers, mechanised hedge cutter, digger, dumper, chainsaws, strimmers and sprayers. Evidence of certification will be required – full list of essential requirements available on request
- Strong organisational skills and proven track record of delivering objectives within agreed timescales
- Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to deal with and resolve conflict
- Ability to build and maintain good relationships with contractors and colleagues.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
- Initiative, energy and persistence
- Organised individual who has the ability to multi-task
- Attention to detail
- Hands-on, ability to work independently and as part of a team so that goals are met
- Good communicator and team player
- Good presentation skills
- A positive attitude and an ability to work calmly under pressure
- Act as an ambassador for the Estate
TO APPLY
Please send your CV and a covering letter to Penny Manning at penny.manning@wormsley.com by 12 noon on Monday 16th May 2022. Interviews are to be held on Thursday 26th May 2022.
New opportunity for skilled gardeners
Title: Skilled Gardener
Location: Wormsley, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire
Reporting to: Head Gardener
Salary: In line with PGG guidelines
WORMSLEY ESTATE
Wormsley is the private estate of the Getty Family and is located just off junction 5 of the M40 at Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire. The Estate can trace its roots back to a first mention in the Doomsday Book of 1196 and since 1597 has been in the possession of only two families. Sir Paul Getty acquired the Estate in 1985 and embarked on a seven-year programme of renovation and improvements bringing it back to life. This included the refurbishment of most of its properties creating some wonderful Chiltern barn conversions alongside major projects such as establishing the Lake and Island in the Deer Park, the laying of the now world-famous Cricket Ground, the building of the Getty Library (with over 6,000 rare books and manuscripts) and working with Penelope Hobhouse to re-establish the two-acre Walled Garden. Since Sir Paul’s death in 2003, a further broadening of the Estate’s activities has included the expansion of the Wormsley Shoot, the creation of the Robin Snell designed 600-seat Opera Pavilion (home of Garsington Opera) and Island Pavilion and the Boundary Room which overlooks the Cricket Ground. See www.wormsley.com for more information.
GARDENS TEAM
The role of the Gardens team is expanding due to a growing events business and the need to provide care for an increasing number of gardens across the Estate. The gardens are being updated whilst remaining true to the original design briefs from the Family and the beautiful two acre Walled Garden is a showcase of the Estate offering a limited number of garden tours, high-end events and open days when cricket and opera guests come to explore the garden. The team grows vegetables, plants and cut flowers for the Family, our staff and tenants, and our expanding events business, as well as managing a further ten acres of formal gardens, follies, orchards and managed woodland.
OVERALL JOB PURPOSE
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic plants person to be part of a permanent team of three Skilled Gardeners and a Deputy reporting into the Head Gardener, supported by a small team of freelance gardeners, volunteers and students. A keen horticulturist with design experience, you should possess excellent practical knowledge and relevant qualifications and be a true team player.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Tasks will vary on a daily basis and will include:
• Ensuring the grounds and gardens are beautifully presented at all times
• Working with the team on designs and development plans for the garden
• Production of herbaceous perennial gardens and assisting with glasshouse and protected plant and vegetable production
• Assisting with garden visits and tours
• Ensuring all aspects of safe working practice and health and safety legislation are adhered to.
SKILLS REQUIRED
The successful candidate will:
• Have a real passion for plants, gardens, gardening and design
• Be hardworking, flexible, energetic, conscientious and trustworthy
• Have practical, hands-on garden experience and be prepared to get his or her hands dirty
• Possess great plant knowledge and a keen interest in horticultural trends, plus a good knowledge of floristry and the growing of cut flowers would be an advantage
• Have formal horticultural training and ideally experience working on private estates, with good machinery knowledge and glasshouse and protected environment skills
• Be able to take direction but also to take the lead, be self-motivated when working individually and keen to encourage others when working as part of a team
• Have excellent communication and organisation skills and be happy to liaise with the Family
• Have a sound knowledge of health and safety and safe working practices
• Possess a keen eye for detail
• Have a clean driving licence and access to a car as public transport is limited.
• PA1/PA6 spray certificates are advantageous but not essential.
TO APPLY
Please send your CV with a covering letter attached to Penny Manning at penny.manning@wormsley.com
We're looking for a full-time Maintenance and Ground Works Engineer
Title: Full-time Maintenance and Ground Works Engineer
Location: The Wormsley Estate, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire
Reporting to: Head Engineer
WORMSLEY ESTATE
Wormsley is the private estate of the Getty Family and is located just off junction 5 of the M40 at Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire. The Estate can trace its roots back to a first mention in the Doomsday Book of 1196 and since 1597 has been in the possession of only two families. Sir Paul Getty acquired the Estate in 1985 and embarked on a seven-year programme of renovation and improvements bringing it back to life. This included the refurbishment of most of its properties creating some wonderful Chiltern barn conversions alongside major projects such as establishing the Lake and Island in the Deer Park, the laying of the now world-famous Cricket Ground, the building of the Getty Library (with over 10,000 rare books and manuscripts) and working with Penelope Hobhouse and Simon Johnson to re-establish the two-acre Walled Garden. Since Sir Paul’s death in 2003, a further broadening of the Estate’s activities has included the expansion of the Wormsley Shoot and the creation of the Robin Snell designed 600-seat Opera Pavilion (home of Garsington Opera), the Island Pavilion and the Boundary Room which overlooks the Cricket Ground.
OVERALL JOB PURPOSE
Reporting to the Head Engineer, this role will require the successful candidate to take on a variety of tasks associated with the maintenance of:
- Tarmac roads & gravel tracks
Paving, slab, block & cobblestones
Drainage/sewer systems & associated soakaways - Trenching of water, electrical & telecommunication supplies
Building/repair of pits/access manholes - Repairs to subterranean water pipes and associated equipment including livestock water troughs, stopcocks and water meters.
In addition, there will be a requirement to do the following:
- Liaise as necessary with other departments in assisting with required groundworks;
Liaise with outside contractors and oversee all subcontracted works so as to ensure the best service and value for money at all times; - Participate with the rest of the Engineering team in an “on-call rota” covering emergency call out (1 week in 4).
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED
- CPCS / NPORS Certified Operator / Driver (2 years required)
- Experience in rural / country estate ground works maintenance (desirable but not essential)
- Experience in PPM and reactive maintenance
- Strong inter-personal skills, including the ability to interact effectively with the Estate owner and his family
- “Can do” attitude – enthusiasm, energy and a willingness to find solutions
- A current driving licence
- General IT knowledge.
QUALIFICATIONS
Maintenance Ground Worker & Machine Operator with CPCS / NPORS Certification. (2 years required)
REMUNERATION
Salary and benefits on application, depending on experience.
Please send the covering letter and CV to info@wormsley.com