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- Tasks: Join us as a Gardener, maintaining and developing our stunning university gardens.
- Company: The University of Warwick is a top-ranked, innovative institution with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, training opportunities, and discounts on sports memberships.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant community, contribute to beautiful spaces, and grow your horticultural skills.
- Qualifications: Level 2 diploma in horticulture or equivalent, plus a passion for gardening and teamwork.
- Other info: Occasional weekend work required; applications close on 16th June 2025.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.
For informal enquiries, please contact Dean Jackson (Operations Manager - Gardens) at D.S.Jackson@warwick.ac.uk.
We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis, even where a position is advertised as full-time, unless there are operational or other objective reasons why it is not possible to do so.
In this role, you will carry out a wide range of horticultural duties, including planting trees, shrubs, natural grassland and bedding schemes. You will also maintain areas by mowing, pruning, digging and strimming. Both areas of work require the use of specialised machinery as well as accurate record keeping to ensure all machinery is safe to use and in good repair. Beyond maintenance, we’ll ask you to come up with your own ideas as to how we can improve and develop our gardens as part of our wider strategy.
You Will Be Required To:
- Use a range of horticultural equipment, power tools and machinery.
- Undertake demanding manual tasks.
- Take part in the winter gritting and ice-clearing rota.
- Find ways to improve our gardens and bring our plans to life.
The role will include occasional weekend working on a rota basis to cover University events, this will be discussed in more detail at interview.
The salary will also include a non-pensionable market supplement of £1,700 per annum. We offer a variety of benefits including generous annual leave allowance (including four days at Christmas), flexible working, training and development, and family friendly leave. We also offer discounted membership to the Sports hub, a bespoke sports & wellness hub with amazing facilities and its own climbing centre, as well as access to an Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential support delivering guidance and expert advice), free eye test and discounted membership with Costco.
About You:
- Hold a Level 2 diploma in horticulture (or an equivalent qualification).
- Experience working in a residential, commercial or public garden.
- Able to understand landscape designs and bedding schemes.
- Wide knowledge of gardening.
- Able to complete necessary paperwork.
- Truly passionate about horticulture.
- Able to work well as part of a team.
- Educated to GCSE standards.
For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the attached job description.
The University of Warwick has a world class reputation for learning with a vision that by 2030, it will be one of the world’s exceptional universities, helping to transform our region, country and world for the collective good. Our workforce spans around 7,000 staff from diverse backgrounds. Inclusion is one of the four strategic priorities which underpin everything that we do in our Research and Education offerings as we aspire to remove economic, social and cultural barriers that have prevented talented people from working and studying at Warwick.
Our award-winning gardens, extensive borders and diverse ecology sit within a 715-acre campus, which is an important, highly visible element of our reputation. You will be responsible for maintaining and developing them as part of our ambition to create among the best university gardens in the UK. Our plans are backed by considerable investment, so not only will you be part of a significant project to add to your record, you’ll also receive high-quality training and development opportunities that are hard to find elsewhere.
How to Apply:
CLOSING DATE: Monday 16th June 2025 at 23:55 (BST). To apply, please click ‘Apply’ below and submit an application form by the closing date. Please plan for any potential delays as you will not be able to submit an application form past this deadline (even if you opened the form at, say, 23:30). You will have to attach a CV and a cover letter. Your CV should include your employment history (including your most recent employment), your education history, and any other relevant experience. Your cover letter should explain your motivations for applying to the role. It should also explain, using examples, how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the Job Description PDF document below. Please note that all essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.
To streamline our hiring processes, we can only accept applications submitted via our official careers webpage, warwick-careers.tal.net.
Our Commitment to Inclusion:
Warwick is committed to building an organisation of mutual respect and dignity, promoting a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social, and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.
Gardener (105522-0525) employer: University of Warwick
Contact Detail:
University of Warwick Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Gardener (105522-0525)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the University of Warwick's gardens and their horticultural practices. Understanding their current projects and future plans will help you demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in similar roles. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when discussing your experience and ideas.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific horticultural techniques and machinery you are familiar with. Highlighting your practical skills and experiences will show that you are ready to contribute effectively from day one.
✨Tip Number 4
Think about innovative ideas for improving the gardens at Warwick. Presenting your creative solutions during the interview can set you apart and demonstrate your passion for horticulture and commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Gardener (105522-0525)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in horticulture, including any specific duties you've performed that align with the job description. Mention your Level 2 diploma in horticulture prominently.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for horticulture and detail how your skills meet the essential criteria listed in the job description. Use specific examples from your past work to illustrate your capabilities.
Highlight Teamwork Skills: Since the role requires working well as part of a team, include examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively with others in a gardening or landscaping context.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you submit your application via the official careers webpage of the University of Warwick. Double-check that all required documents are attached and that you meet the submission deadline.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Warwick
✨Show Your Passion for Horticulture
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for gardening and horticulture during the interview. Share specific examples of your experiences, such as projects you've worked on or plants you've cultivated, to demonstrate your commitment to the field.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Role's Requirements
Review the job description thoroughly and be prepared to discuss how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined. Highlight your experience with horticultural equipment and any relevant qualifications, like your Level 2 diploma in horticulture.
✨Prepare Ideas for Garden Improvement
Since the role involves contributing ideas for garden development, come prepared with a few suggestions on how you could enhance the university's gardens. This shows initiative and a proactive approach to your work.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
As the position requires working well within a team, be ready to share examples of past teamwork experiences. Discuss how you’ve collaborated with others in previous roles and how you can contribute positively to the team at the University of Warwick.
