2025 Season - Gardener
Herm Island
Vacancy listed 10/02/2025
Application deadline 31/03/2025
Details
Contract Type: Fixed Term Seasonal
Start Date: Early April
End Date: End of September
Department: Services
Reports to: Lee Stewart
Key Reports: None
Hours per Week: Average 40 - 48 per week across the season
Key Benefits: 

  • Flat 20% Income Tax rate over personal allowance, plus low Social Security rate 
  • Zero VAT 
  • Competitive board & lodging rates 
  • Free ferry travel between Herm and Guernsey 
  • Staff discounts on-island 
  • Preferential accommodation rates for Friends and Family outside of Peak Season 
  • Stunning beaches with exceptional sea swimming / kayaking / SUP opportunities 
  • On the job training to include Level 2 Food Hygiene certification 



Role Summary

To work alongside the Head Gardener in the upkeep of the green areas and gardens of the Island, including woodlands, allotments, greenhouses, hedges, grasslands.



Key Responsibilities
  • Upkeep of all public green and garden areas as well as composting. 
  • Working towards accredited competitions.  
  • Liaising with Head Gardener regarding work schedules and progress.  
  • Be innovative to create new revenue streams for visitors. 
  • Working with RAMSAR in Guernsey for awareness on the Island, liaising with this organisation and implementing recommendations on Herm.  
  • Be customer focused in all areas and assist at all times with visitor issues and questions. 
  • Abide by the conditions of employment as per Herm Staff Handbook
  • To take accountability of own projects, tasks and deadlines. 
  • To ensure all work is undertaken within any specified timeframes. 
  • Any other reasonable request from your Line Manager 



Competencies Required 

  • Organisational skills
  • Team building and team work 
  • Communication skills 
  • Physically fit 


Technical Skills Required

  • Full driving licence 


Qualifications / Experience Required

  • Previous estate or forestry or farmwork experience desirable - including plant knowledge and use of equipment such as mowers/strimmers




General
  • Be an ambassador for the Island, i.e. helping visitors, reporting any incidents, community projects etc. 
  • To report to your line manager any concerns relating to the mental health and or wellbeing of either yourself or another team member. 
  • The role requires a high level of stamina as most days will require you to be on your feet  
  • This role requires a high level of fitness and the ability to lift and carry large/heavy items  

Working within the Health and Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance, the postholder has a legal duty to take reasonable care for Health and Safety both for themselves and others who may be affected by their actions. They are also required to undertake Health and Safety training commensurate with the level required by the post and to take part in risk assessment procedures and the implementation of agreed recommended work practices within the area. 
  
Undertaking other duties not specifically stated which from time to time are necessary without altering the nature or level of responsibility. 
 
In addition to the required key responsibilities, it is expected that every employee acts in a professional manner at all times, including when off duty, as guests and employees use the same facilities, infrastructure and social areas. 




About working on Herm Island
The small paradise island of Herm is just off Guernsey in the Channel Islands, which lie in the English Channel between southern England and northern France.  
 
Herm is a designated tourist island which is reached by a 20-minute ferry journey from Guernsey harbour, and where guests and day visitors enjoy year-round hospitality.  
  
 Guest accommodation includes: 
  • The White House Hotel: 
    • 40-bedroomed boutique hotel with several family sized and dog friendly rooms. 
  • Self-catering Holiday Cottages:  
    • 19 cottages and apartments dotted around the island sleeping between 2 – 7 people. 
  • Seagull & Mermaid Campsites:  
    • offering over 130 seasonal pitches rented on an annual basis by Guernsey families, and 23 equipped tents for short-term hire April to September.  
  • Herm also has a range of dining options and facilities including: 
    • The Conservatory Restaurant: a 90-cover classic, fine-dining hotel restaurant. 
    • The Ship Inn: a brasserie style inn seating 70 inside, and 80 in the courtyard and garden. 
    • The Mermaid Tavern: a popular and busy gastro pub which also hosts live entertainment and events throughout the year with a capacity of 500 people. 
    • 120-seater marquee for special events in the hotel grounds.  
  • Harbour Village, Shell Beach and Belvoir Bay Cafés:  
    • three outdoor seated cafés, one in the busy Harbour Village and the other two at the most scenic and popular beaches in Herm. 
  • The Herm Shop: 
    • a busy shop which stocks a host of products from gifts and clothing to beach goods and toys. 
  
Working in Herm 
 
Working and living in Herm is a truly unique and rewarding opportunity. There are approximately 50 permanent staff with year-round roles with up to an additional 100 seasonal staff. 
  
The hospitality teams are supported by several back-office departments including finance, reservations, administration, marketing, and recruitment. The island properties, infrastructure and landscape are maintained by a team of professionals and the island also has its own cargo vessel managed by the Services team. 
  
As there are no cars or bicycles in Herm a good degree of fitness is required to negotiate the varied terrain. With no resident doctor or hospital, shortlisted applicants are advised to self-assess their suitability to work on the island. Several residents are trained as community first responders delivering first aid, policing, and fire services.
 
The rewards are plentiful if you are hard-working and motivated by small team collaboration, helping others, delivering a professional service and above all, taking accountability for your role.
 
 
Vision & Culture
  
Our VISION is to have a sustainable business whilst preserving the unique appeal of Herm Island, including environmental project work.  
 
Our CULTURE encourages a hard-working, collaborative, team approach focused on accountability, empowerment and ultimately excellent customer and staff experience. 












Notes

NOTES: to enable us to consider your application please read the below information before completing the NOTES section in your application

EXPERIENCE: If you have no relevant prior experience, please provide additional information in the NOTES section.

ELIGIBILITY - Please confirm what relevant permissions you possess to work in Herm Island, or whether permissions need to be obtained under the States of Guernsey Work Permit Policy – information on Work Permits can be found here (copy and paste into your browser) https://www.gov.gg/immigration

IMPORTANT - When applying please UPLOAD your CV and a cover letter explaining why you wish to apply for the position.

AVAILABILITY - If you are successful, please let us know your preferred start / finish dates?

OTHER - If you are applying as a couple, please state your partner's name.

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