Full-Time Qualified Gardener
Location: Florence, Italy
Salary: €1,700 – €2,500 net per month (DOE)
Accommodation: Accommodation may be considered for an exceptional candidate relocating from outside the area.
Start Date: ASAP
Overview
A private UHNW family estate near Florence is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Gardener to take full responsibility for the maintenance and development of the gardens, grounds, vegetable garden, and outdoor areas.
This is a hands-on role requiring excellent horticultural knowledge, strong practical skills, and the ability to work independently to the highest standards. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining the estate throughout the year, managing the vegetable garden during periods when the regular caretaker is absent, and assisting with the upkeep of a small chicken coop.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintenance of lawns, flower beds, borders, hedges, shrubs, trees, and landscaped areas.
- Planting, irrigation, fertilisation, mulching, and seasonal garden care.
- Professional pruning of trees, hedges, shrubs, and ornamental plants.
- High-level tree pruning and work at height (potatura in altezza).
- Monitoring plant health and implementing pest and disease control measures where appropriate.
- Management and maintenance of the estate’s vegetable garden, including sowing, cultivation, harvesting, irrigation, and crop care.
- Taking full responsibility for the vegetable garden during the absence of the regular caretaker.
- Cleaning and maintenance of the chicken coop.
- Feeding chickens and ensuring water supplies are maintained.
- Operation and maintenance of gardening machinery and equipment, including ride-on mowers, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and irrigation systems.
- Maintaining the overall presentation, cleanliness, and safety of the estate grounds.
Candidate Requirements
- Significant professional experience as a Gardener, Estate Gardener, Groundskeeper, or in a similar role.
- Proven experience in tree care, pruning, and high-level pruning (potatura in altezza).
- Strong knowledge of horticulture, plant health, irrigation systems, fertilisation, and seasonal garden management.
- Proven experience managing productive vegetable gardens.
- Confident use of professional gardening machinery and powered equipment.
- Physically fit and capable of carrying out demanding outdoor work throughout the year.
- Able to work independently, prioritise tasks, and take ownership of the estate’s outdoor areas.
- Full Driving Licence.
- Fluent Italian and intermediate or fluent English.
- Legal right to work in Italy.
Qualifications
- Working at Height Certification.
- Chainsaw Operation and Safety Certification.
- Proven professional experience carrying out high-level tree pruning.
- Certificate/Licence for the Professional Use of Plant Protection Products (Pesticide Applicator Licence).
- First Aid Certification.
- Diploma or Professional Qualification in Agriculture, Horticulture, Garden Maintenance, Arboriculture, or a related field.
- Previous experience working on a private estate or within a private household environment.
Benefits
- Salary of €1,700 – €2,500 net per month, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Full-time, long-term position.
- Immediate start.
- Accommodation may be considered for an outstanding candidate relocating to the Florence area.
