Gardener / Groundskeeper

Job overview

The post-holder will be required to carry out duties including hedge cutting, lawn mowing, path and road sweeping, along with general grounds maintenance, and operation of the department’s range of gardening equipment

Main duties of the job

The post-holder is responsible for carrying out a full range of grounds and gardening duties to ensure a high standard of grounds maintenance at all Trust premises, and from time to time, other premises as directed. He/she may be required to work on their own or as part of a team, and should be able to work with the minimum of supervision.

Grounds Maintenance Operatives holding a full, valid driving licence must be prepared to drive any Trust vehicles (not HGV’s) used by the department as part of the provision of a gardens service. Training will be provided if necessary.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Principal Duties

• To dig, hoe, manure, planet out, stake and tie plants.
• To cut lay and maintain turf.
• To maintain herbaceous rose and other pleasure gardens including propagation and pruning of plants, ornamental flowering trees and shrubs.
• To treat common plant diseases and pests, as advised by the Team Leader or Gardens Advisor.
• To use, and assist with the maintenance and servicing of gardening equipment and machinery.
• To undertake sweeping, snow clearing, gritting etc. to drives, footpaths or other paved areas, reporting defects and identifiable hazards. During periods of inclement weather, be willing to work extra hours to ensure sufficient snow clearing/gritting is carried out at agreed priority locations.
• Be committed to working as a member of the Estate Services gardening team and accept a portion of responsibility for ensuring a quality, cost-effective service is provided for the estate users.
• Be responsible for carrying out all duties in accordance with current Health and Safety at Work legislation or any other statutory requirements, notifying their line manager of any task which they believe is not covered in their Health and Safety manual.
• Establish good working relationships with all points of contact with estate users.
• Be responsible for the security of any gardening equipment allocated for use, returning and securing it at an agreed base at the end of the working day. Reporting any defects in equipment to the Gardens Team Leader.
• Leave all work sites in a tidy and safe condition, dispose of any rubbish etc. according to agreed procedures.
• Be prepared to assist maintenance staff from time to time, to ensure the smooth running of the estate.
• To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade, which may be allocated from time-to- time.

Applicant requirements

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.