Gardener (Temple Newsam) - REQ000710

Job title: Gardener

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37 per week

Salary: B1 £24,404 - £25,183

Would you like to be part of something bigger and join us in our ambition to become the Best City, working together as a Team for Leeds. Do your values match ours and do you have something to offer?

Leeds City Council delivers over 500 different services to residents and is dedicated to bringing the benefits of a prosperous, vibrant and attractive city to the people of Leeds. This is a fantastic time to join us.

Benefits of working with us:

We pride ourselves on offering the best employee experience, with a genuine commitment to keeping our colleagues safe and well at work. You can expect great benefits whilst working for us including:

a competitive pay progression structure including generous employer pension contributions
flexible career paths with tailored personal and professional development
support for you, your home and your family including personal, and financial support
hybrid working arrangements (subject to needs of the role) and a flexitime system

For more information about our benefits please see the benefits section of our jobs page.

Introduction to the role of the team

This post is based at Temple Newsam Estate, Leeds, where the team are responsible for all aspects of horticulture and general grounds maintenance of this 600 hectare historic parkland, sports fields and amenity grassland.

Your role

You will require practical horticultural experience, together with an NVQ2 or equivalent in Amenity Horticulture, although applicants who can demonstrate a significant period of work experience without formal qualifications will also be considered.

Work includes all aspects of horticultural maintenance, including lifting, digging, hard and soft landscaping, preparation of ground for the planting and establishment of plants, weed spraying, the laying, establishing and maintenance of turf, fencing, the construction and maintenance of landscape features and grass cutting using a ride-on mower. In addition the Leading Hand Gardener will be responsible for mentoring and training new Gardening Apprentices in horticultural methods and practices and in specific machinery use.

A full, clean driving licence is essential, to enable the post holder to travel independently to various sites as required to supervise and transport staff.

The post may be based at any point within the Leeds City boundaries.

You will have excellent communication skills and be a team player. You will be motivated and a critical thinker with the ability to understand the needs of your customers.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job purpose

To undertake gardening and manual labouring duties within the climate Energy and Greenspace service.

Responsibilities

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
To undertake manual labouring duties as required, including the lifting and carrying of materials and tools.
To prepare the land for planting by digging and forking.
To establish plants when ground is prepared.
To establish turf by seeding and laying.
To prepare and maintain course amenity and sport turf grass surfaces.
To maintain turf and grassed areas by using both pedestrian and ride on mowing machinery.
To assist with the construction of basic hard landscape features.
To assist with maintenance of hard landscape features and surfaces.
To set out sports equipment and undertake marking out and maintenance.
To undertake any training as is deemed necessary to improve performance and to meet the needs of the maintenance of the parks and surrounding areas.
To undertake weed spraying works.
The supervision of staff, including Assistant Gardener, seasonal staff, trainees, volunteers and work placements.
To contribute to the health and safety of self and others and ensure that LCC’s Safety Policy and relevant Safe Working Practices are adhered to by the staff under the post holder’s control.

Qualifications

NVQ Level 1 in Amenity Horticulture. Candidates who can demonstrate a significant period of work experience, but do not have formal qualifications, may be considered.

A PA1/PA6 spraying certificate is desirable.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Knowledge of current, modern horticultural machinery and its uses.
Knowledge of health and safety procedures.

Skills

Physical ability to undertake all aspects of horticultural operations outside, in all weathers.
Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels.
Ability to prepare land for planting and establish and maintain plants.
Ability to establish turf by seeding and laying.
Ability to construct basic hard landscape features and surfaces.
Ability to maintain course amenity and sports turf grass surfaces.
Ability to undertake digging, forking and heavy lifting work.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to supervise and train staff.

Experience

NVQ Level 1 in Amenity Horticulture or equivalent and actively working towards NVQ Level 2.
Experience in Fine Turf Management.
Experience in working in a similar horticultural environment.
Experience in the use of ride-on mowing machines.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

PA1/PA6 spraying certificate.
Experience in staff supervision.
NVQ Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture or equivalent.

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