Gardener

Overview

Key purpose of the role The Gardens team are responsible for the maintenance, design and safety of the gardens across the site working closely with our Grounds department (who look after the extensive sports grounds we have).

Under direction from the Head of Gardens (or their Assistant) to assist in the maintenance and day-to-day work in the gardens to ensure they are maintained to the high standards required by the College.

• Carry out any reasonable gardening task that may be requested by the Head of Gardens, e.g. cutting and maintaining hedges, pruning plants, weeding, planting and leaf clearing.
• Working with the gardens team to ensure effective execution of the programmes of work and standards of gardens are of high quality and presentation.
• Cutting and maintaining lawns and grass to a variety of finishes (fine to rough meadow type) using a variety of machines, including pedestrian operated, tractors and ride-on mowers, strimmers and brush cutters including fertilizer and pesticide application.
• As required, seed sowing, watering, propagation and potting, and maintaining compost heaps.
• Assist with any new landscape work undertaken by Gardens Team
• Maintaining tools and equipment in the correct and safe manner and secure storage of all equipment and machinery, including adjustment of mower height, monitoring quality of cut, oil level checks and checks for damage to mowers
• Maintaining good relationships with team, other staff, students and visitors
• Keep the Head Gardener informed of equipment breakdowns or malfunctions
• Keep the Head Gardener informed of any unfinished tasks
• Snow-clearing and or frost-gritting of roads and footpaths including out of hours work
• Summer watering of pots and planters on a rota (to include weekend working)
• Observing all Health and Safety Risk Assessments, COSHH, regulatory and security measures, Promote a safe working practice at all times
• Able to undertake necessary training for the role
• Awareness of and reporting of any security risk within the College
• Attend all relevant training as required by the College.