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JOB Ref: EC24613

Gardener

  • Full Time PRIVATE AD
  • £24,000
  • Kent

Founded in 1432, Sevenoaks enjoys a global reputation as a centre of academic excellence and a flagship school for the International Baccalaureate.

The school has around 200 teaching staff, well supported by a large number of ancillary staff. A professional pastoral team of specialist tutors, boarding house staff and year heads give care and guidance, promoting student welfare and happiness. The mutual respect shared by students and staff generates a harmonious and purposeful atmosphere.

The Role
The Estates department is looking for a qualified and self-motivated, fast-working and efficient Gardener. This is a varied role which will involve assisting with the maintenance and development of the gardens and grounds on all school sites.

Reporting to
The Gardener will report to the Head of Grounds & Gardens.

Responsibilities

  • Prepare grounds for the planting of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.
  • Carry out horticultural operations, such as planting, pruning and maintenance of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.
  • Maintain borders, ponds, hedges, fences, walls, paths, roadways and woodlands.
  • Carry out horticultural operations on lawns with the use of pedestrian and ride on equipment to scarify, aerate, top-dress, over-seed, lift and lay turf, feed, irrigate and cut.
  • Clean drives and pathways of debris, litter picking, clearing snow and applying grit
    salt as required.
  • Safely use, maintain and clean horticultural equipment including hand tools, strimmers, hedge-cutters, pedestrian and ride on mowers, scarifiers, aerators, tractors and any other machinery required to undertake allocated tasks.
  • Work in a tidy and safe manner.
  • Follow departmental and school policies.
  • Periodically assist with non-gardener tasks within the school, e.g. maintain and prepare the sports pitches, grass cutting, line marking and erecting sports equipment as directed by the Director of Property or Head of Grounds & Gardens.
  • Undertake other duties that are required and are commensurate with the grade of the post.

Person Specification
The successful applicant must be able to:

  • work on own and as part of a team.
  • use own initiative.
  • self-motivate.
  • be adaptable and be willing to undertake tasks to given time constraints.

Special Role Requirements

  • will be required to work out of doors in all weather conditions.
  • at times the role may require heavy lifting.
  • will be required to use machinery e.g. hedge cutters, strimmers, lawn mowers,
    tractors etc.

Experience / Qualifications
Previous experience of working in a school is not a requirement, but would be advantageous.  This role is for a qualified gardener. The successful applicant will need to demonstrate that they have the appropriate NVQ level 2 qualification in Horticulture, a full driving licence as well as previous experience in maintaining large or historical gardens.

Working Hours
The basic hours are 40 hours per week made up of 08:00 – 16:30 Monday to Friday. Working up to 12 Saturday mornings per year, 8:00 am till 1:00 pm.

Salary & Benefits

  • The salary offered is up to £24,000 p/a.
  • A free lunch is available during term-time.
  • Free membership of the school’s fitness centre.
  • 33 days paid holiday per calendar year, including statutory English public holidays as of 01 January 2020.
  • The job holder can choose to join the school’s defined contribution pension
    scheme.
  • Cycle to Work scheme.
  • Voluntary Benefit scheme

Application
If you wish to be considered for this role, please complete the online support staff application form at http://www.sevenoaksschool.org/support-vacancies.  The form must be completed in full and submitted electronically. CV’s can also be submitted but cannot replace any information on the application form which should be submitted in full. The school retains the right to interview suitable applicants and appoint before the deadline.

Tagged as: Gardener, Live Out

Sevenoaks School