Job Title: Estate Gardener Accountable To: Lead Gardener Number of Direct Reports: Job Purpose: To carry out gardening and horticultural maintenance to horticultural features, grass areas and natural features, under the direction of a Lead Gardener to give a high quality service that delivers cleaner, safer and well maintained estates and excellent customer service. . Key Accountabilities:
1. Assist with the maintenance of ornamental areas and features to include; shrubs & shrub beds, roses & rose beds, hedges and natural features; (Bulb Plantings, Wildflower meadows and areas of biodiversity).
2. Assist with maintenance of grass areas to include mowing, edging, and renovation tasks.
3. As directed undertake the control of unwanted herbage in horticultural features and hard landscape areas.
4. Assist with minor landscape works and horticultural development as directed.
5. To have an up-to-date knowledge of the safe use of
range of motorised equipment such as mowers, strimmers, hedge cutters, blowers, rotovators, including their maintenance and adjustments.
6. To ensure all equipment and machinery in your charge are secured during working hours.
7. To undertake such training as required to a) maintain a suitable skill set, b) develop additional skills to assist in higher level activities as required.
8. To be responsible for one’s individual health and safety and that of colleagues, residents and passers-by within your responsibility or affected by your work.
9. When required to drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and be responsible for the care and cleaning of allocated vehicles and carry out routine non mechanical maintenance (e.g. check tyre pressure, oil and water) and ensuring that all equipment and materials are safely stored.
10. To ensure that a high standard of customer care is offered to all sections of the community.
11. To remove litter and rubbish trapped in shrubs and hedges following the trimming of these.
12. To be trained and be able to apply as requested herbicides in green and hard standing areas.
13. To report any fire risks identified in green areas such as combustible items stored against buildings, gas and petrol canisters and also access issues.
14. To report weapons, drugs, drug paraphernalia and any other similar items hidden in the green areas to management, ASB Team and/or Police.
15. To undertake such other duties of a similar nature, commensurate with the grade may be required from time to time.
16. Carry out other reasonable ad hoc duties to support the Directorate which are commensurate with the expectation of the post as directed by the line manager or the Head of Service.
17. Poplar Harca reserves the right to change the working patterns in future to ensure that the hours of the service reflect the needs of residents.
Health & Safety The postholder is required to comply with all Health & Safety at work policies, procedures and guidelines, which form part of this job description. The postholder must look after their own health, safety and welfare and be mindful of other persons who may be affected by their acts. Employees must co-operate and comply with management instructions regarding Health and Safety issues and report all accidents, incidents and problems as soon as practicable to their line manager or other manager.
Attribute Requirements Assessment Method
Education and Experience
Essential Criteria A minimum of 2 years’ experience as
an assistant Gardener or Gardener. Basic gardening skills to include
cultivation of soils, pruning of shrubs & Roses.
Desirable Criteria PA1a & PA6a certificates. Knowledge of minor landscaping works. To be qualified to GNVQ Level 2
Horticulture or equivalent. Previous experience of ride-on mowers,
pedestrian mowers, strimmers, blowers, hedge cutters, pole saws.
A A/I A A A A
Skills and Abilities
Essential Criteria Ability to work as part of a team. Ability to complete works to a specific
standard. Ability to take own initiative and
identify potential improvements. Understanding of Health & Safety. Ability to use a range of garden
equipment including motorised equipment
Willingness to attend internal and external training.
Good customer service and communication skills.
I I A I A A I
Desirable Criteria Possess a clean driving licence. Basic machinery maintenance. Ability to use trailers.
A A A
Additional Requirements