JOB DESCRIPTION

View Vacancy – Gardener

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Residence and Support Staff)

Job Subcategory

Gardening

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy seeks a full-time Gardener for the Ambassador’s Residence Garden designed by Edwin Lutyens. This position is a great opportunity to gain exposure to all facets of garden specialties including plant collections, arboriculture, seasonal plant displays, greenhouse care and formal garden care. The gardener is a critical member of a small team of staff who care for the 5 acres of historic gardens. Candidates must be knowledgeable in the areas of horticulture and landscape maintenance; ideal candidate will be familiar with the unique challenges related to conserving a private garden and historic property.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Maintain all plantings on a daily basis, including watering, weeding, deadheading, mulching, fertilizing, IPM, pruning, and other maintenance as directed.
• Operate and maintain tools and equipment, including mowers, tractors and small machines.
• Maintain landscape features such as walkways, sculpture and fountains as directed.
• Monitor garden conditions for safety and reporting problems to Horticulturist
• Report problems related to pest, diseases, and or damage to gardens and grounds
• Assist with propagation of plants, seed collections and other greenhouse tasks
• Assist with record keeping related to IPM, plant documentation, and equipment inventory
• Supervise and work with garden volunteers
• Work with Embassy colleagues on garden preservation projects
• Assist with the moving of plants, equipment and garden furniture
• Assist with Beekeeping
• Interact with visitors, including participation in tours and public programs
• Preform other duties as assigned

The successful candidate will be a self-starter who has the drive and initiative to work independently on tasks on their own, along with enthusiasm, a positive attitude and willingness to learn. He/she will have good communication skills and be able to take instruction and direction. Basic knowledge of equipment use and maintenance is desirable.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential qualification, skills and experience:

• Associate’s degree in Horticulture/Landscape desired (Professional Certificate programs may be substituted for degree)
• Three years of relevant professional work experience in garden and plant care
• Knowledge of common garden pests, diseases, and symptoms of nutrient deficiencies for a variety of herbaceous and woody plants
• Knowledge of when to transplant and the ability to consider soil conditions, flowering time, and foliage at various stages of growth when undertaking transplant projects
• Knowledge of best safety practices and ability to routinely apply institutional best practices, including use of gloves, eye and ear protection, masks, boots, and other protective clothing for use when exposed to soil, dust, mud, and chemical and pesticide sprays
• Knowledge of greenhouse and nursery best practices preferred
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to use, adjust, clean, service and organize gardening tools and follow safety procedures for the operation of machinery and tools
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and enthusiasm for working in a team environment
• Ability to solve problems creatively
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

 

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable:

• Basic knowledge of equipment use and maintenance is desirable.

Required behaviours

Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Application deadline

28 September 2025

Grade

S1

Type of Position

Full-time

Working hours per week

40

Region

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory

United States

Location (City)

Washington

Type of Post

British Embassy

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

USD

Salary

$26.61

Type of Salary

hourly

Start Date

2 November 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment

US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P). If you hold a work visa it is best to check on your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

Working patterns:

Standard 40 hour week, early morning shift work 7:00-15:30. Occasional overtime and occasional weekend work May-October.

The British Embassy and its US Network are an organization that recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.

Please note: The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.

Please note that the tax arrangements imposed by the US on staff working for foreign governments, as well as those imposed by the UK Treasury on British and dual nationals working for the UK Government overseas, are atypical. The UK Government cannot withhold taxes (including FICA) on behalf of a US taxpayer. Instead, a US taxpayer is required to file taxes as if they are self-employed, and a FICA allowance is granted for those required to pay the employer contribution. Certain categories of staff (for example dual UK-US nationals and some visa holders) who work at Consulates General are not subject to US taxes. For those not subject to US taxes the UK Government reduces gross pay to a level broadly equivalent to taxed net pay. There are also social security implications for dual UK-US nationals. Please keep all this in mind when looking at the salary and the benefits package. If you are offered a job with the UK’s US Network you will be given further tax and social security information relevant to your personal circumstances and place of work; you are advised to consider this information and its impact on your circumstances carefully – potentially with the advice of a tax professional – before accepting a job.

Additional information

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 28 September 2025

All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.

Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements