Landscape Gardener

We are looking for an experienced, creative and proactive landscape gardener, with specialist horticultural knowledge and relevant experience of landscaping and horticultural development to support the School’s aesthetic plans for the site.  The successful individual will have a relevant horticultural qualification and / or proven track record in delivering on similar projects.

Full time, 40 hrs per week (07:00 – 16:00) Monday – Friday, all year round.

Working collaboratively whilst offering recommendations and expertise, the Landscape Gardener will be responsible for planning borders factoring in the seasons, longevity and band colours and school themes.

In addition to the creative planning and landscaping, this new position would be responsible for general garden maintenance (including pruning, mowing and weeding) and will also be expected to provide support as required to the Estates team and wider school.

Key responsibilities: 

• Maintaining high levels of presentation of all grounds, gardens and beds with particular focus on areas that are on regular public view. 

• To ensure all grounds plant and machinery are checked before use, reporting any defects to the Maintenance Manager.

• Ability to operate and drive various machinery equipment such as hedge cutters, strimmers and ride-on mowers, pesticide spraying equipment, tractors and hand tools etc. 

• Undertake planting, weeding, pruning and cultivating of flowerbeds, maintenance of boarders, hedgerows, hanging basket and trees.

• Ensure an innovative approach is applied to landscaped areas to ensure they are developed seasonally and provide the school with themes throughout the year.

• Plant propagation from seeds and cuttings. 

• The ability to use machinery such as pedestrian and ride on lawn mowers, rotovators, hedge trimmers and other such equipment related to grounds work. 

• Apply nutrients to planted areas and lawns via liquid, granular and organic matter. 

• Undertake regular tree inspections and report findings to the Maintenance Manager.

• Maintenance of irrigation systems such as drip hose and automated irrigation systems. 

• Support the wider Estates team with general duties including grounds maintenance, basic painting and pitch marking, gritting and rubbish removal.

Essential:

• Previous experience in similar role with transferable skills.

• Experienced in creating landscaped areas and providing continuous renovation within a corporate/commercial setting.

• RHS General Certificate in Horticulture.

• HS Level 2 Certificate in principles of Horticulture. 

• NPTC Pesticides PA1 & 6 Spraying Licences.

• Experienced in basic maintenance of equipment and machinery.

• Demonstrate high levels of time management and initiative to manage own workload and at times conflicting priorities as well as tracking progress on a wide range of tasks.

• An eye for detail and demonstrable creative flair in relation to landscaping gardening and horticulture. 

• Collaborative team player

• Good verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage, inform and negotiate with colleagues and contractors at all levels.

• Ability and willingness to work outside in all weathers.

• Ability to drive work vehicles. 

• Basic IT skills via PC and Mobile use (emails, photos, Word etc.)

• Advanced plant and tree knowledge.

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of working at height regulations. 

• Legionella awareness. 

• Experience of working within an independent school environment or similar high profile estate.

• Experience of grounds and sports turf knowledge. 

• Good knowledge of all types of ground/sports turf machinery.

• Experience of multi sports pitch marking.

Package: 

• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary)

• Group pension scheme

• Employee Assistance programme

• 30 days’ holiday plus paid bank holidays and 3 additional days paid days off between Christmas and New Year 

• Opportunity to gain new skills

• Free parking

• Free school lunch for staff

• Onsite gym

To Apply:

Please complete the Hallfield School application form that can be found under Vacancies at www.hallfieldschool.co.uk or by sending a detailed covering letter and CV to hr@hallfieldschool.co.uk 

For further information please contact Caroline Long, HR Manager on 0121 454 1496 or email hr@hallfieldschool.co.uk 

Closing Date: Friday 10th December (midday)