Gardener - Groundsperson

Gardener - Grounds Person

The closing date is 01 February 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Grounds Person to join University Hospitals of Leicester.

The role of the Gardener – Grounds Person is to provide a comprehensive Healthcare maintenance service to all wards and departments within a multidisciplinary environment, ensuring compliance with Trust safety standards and procedures.

You will liaise with the Grounds Supervisor to ensure efficient operations of the grounds and gardens, winter gritting and clearing snow at the University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) hospital sites.

• Carry out planned and reactive maintenance tasks to a high standard commensurate with the skills and experience for the role.
• Report on a day‑to‑day basis to the Estates Supervisor and maintenance managers.
• Liaise with the Estates team to facilitate the implementation of the grounds and gardening maintenance work programme.
• Bring to the attention of the Grounds Supervisor and/or Team Leader any day‑to‑day personnel or management issues that could impinge on the efficiency of the grounds and gardening services.

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023‑2030).

We have four primary goals:

• High‑quality care for all
• Being a great place to work
• Partnerships for impact
• Research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do – taking active steps to reduce avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• We are compassionate
• We are proud
• We are inclusive
• We are one team

• Contribute to continual improvement of gardens and grounds on all UHL sites as required.
• Operate garden machinery safely, reporting faults to estates management and not attempting self‑rectification until assessed or instructed.
• Comply with Health and Safety requirements to ensure personal safety and the safety of colleagues.
• Maintain and upkeep grounds and gardens – mowing grass, sweeping roads/paths, weeding and spraying, watering bedding plants, etc.
• Trim and prune flowers, trees and shrubs in accordance with good gardening practice and to prevent foliage overhanging paths, roadways, drainage gullies and manholes.
• Ensure drainage and road gullies are clear of rubbish.
• Carry out minor repairs and preparatory works to hard landscaping (e.g., concreting, slab laying, fencing) if requested.
• Empty rubbish bins and cigarette bins; sweep and remove litter from hard and soft landscaped areas.
• Safety–check vehicles and equipment prior to use. Drive, operate, clean, lubricate and carry out minor maintenance operations on all grounds and garden vehicles and equipment, and record details in the maintenance log.

• Suitable experience in grounds maintenance.
• Formal qualifications in grounds maintenance.

• Extensive working experience in grounds maintenance.
• Experience working within a large industrial/commercial environment.
• Experience working in an Acute or Non‑Acute Hospital Environment.
• Working knowledge of Health and Safety legislation.

• Flexible individual who can cope with new and changing demands.
• Excellent attention to detail, approachable and tactful.
• Ability to work flexibly as needs arise.
• Responsive to learning new skills with further training.

• Demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours.
• Provide evidence of related behaviour supporting the values.

• Demonstrate commitment and understanding of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
• Examples of such commitment.

• Ability to travel, as required, to work at other sites.
• Ability to work out of hours, evenings, weekends and bank holidays as needs arise.

• Ability to prioritise work to meet business needs.
• Experience of work planning and organising.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and therefore requires submission of a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust