An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Gardener to join the established Maintenance team at a school in Hertfordshire. Working under the direction of the Head Gardener, the successful candidate will be responsible for a wide range of horticultural and grounds maintenance duties across the school site, as well as the planters and grounds at the Playing Fields.

The role will involve implementing the annual horticultural works schedule and helping to maintain high-quality seasonal gardens and grounds throughout the year. The successful Gardener will carry out a varied range of practical horticultural tasks, including digging, forking, hoeing, weeding, pruning, mulching and fertilising, using both hand tools and mechanical horticultural equipment.

Responsibilities will include hedge cutting, grass mowing using cylinder, rotary, strim and flail equipment, shrub and rose pruning, and the preparation, planting and maintenance of annual bedding. The Gardener will also be involved in planting and staking trees, preparing and maintaining rose beds, rockeries, herbaceous borders and shrubberies, together with the routine preparation and cultivation of grassed areas across the school site.

A key part of the position will be maintaining the school’s playing areas to a high standard, undertaking the necessary preparation and cultivation work to ensure they remain safe and well presented. The role will also include growing and planting bedding throughout the School grounds, including around the Sports Pavilion.

The successful candidate will also undertake minor construction and landscaping work, maintain surrounding areas including hedgerows and fences, and assist landscape architects and designers with landscaping projects associated with new School developments. There may also be opportunities to support the school’s Conservation team with grounds and horticultural projects, liaising with teaching staff and directing pupils where appropriate.

The role involves the use and care of vehicles, machinery and horticultural equipment, with responsibility for ensuring equipment is regularly maintained and used safely. The Gardener will also monitor consumable items and spares, assist with replenishment, and ensure pesticides and other similar substances are safely used, stored, calibrated and disposed of in accordance with relevant requirements.

This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 4.30pm, with a one-hour unpaid lunch break each day. The grounds workload is heavily influenced by weather and seasonal requirements, so the school is looking for someone who is flexible, adaptable and comfortable managing a constantly changing workload.

Previous grounds maintenance or horticultural experience would be advantageous, together with an NVQ in Amenity Horticulture or an equivalent qualification. NPTC PA1 and PA6a

pesticide certificates would also be beneficial, although the school is willing to support suitable candidates with training and further study to gain relevant qualifications. A current driving licence is essential, preferably with Category C1 or equivalent.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a good awareness of health and safety, be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team and take a proactive and flexible approach to their work. The ability to maintain high standards across the school’s gardens, grounds and playing areas will be central to the role.

As the position is based within a school environment, the successful applicant will be required to support the school’s safeguarding procedures and undergo the appropriate child protection and safer recruitment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

The school offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a contributory pension scheme, life assurance, free on-site parking, complimentary lunches during term time, professional development opportunities, access to healthcare and wellbeing support, a Cycle to Work scheme and use of the school’s sports and leisure facilities.

The school is seeking a practical and committed Gardener who takes pride in maintaining attractive, well-presented gardens and grounds and who would enjoy working within an established team in a prestigious school environment.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this vacancy. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application will have been unsuccessful.

SALARY: £32,000

LOCATION: Hertfordshire

JOB No: EC75875

If this Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply below,  call Sara Yassin on 01233 733510 or email info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk

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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this vacancy.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this vacancy has been unsuccessful.

We are proud to work with:

• the Professional Gardeners’ Guild
• the RHS
• the WFGA – offering the WRAGs Scheme
• Arne Maynard Garden Design
• Historic Houses
• the HBG Training Programme

Tagged as:  gardeners, estate maintenance, full time, Hertfordshire