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- Tasks: Join our team to maintain and enhance Luton’s beautiful parks and gardens.
- Company: Connect2Luton partners with Luton Borough Council to provide exceptional public services.
- Benefits: Enjoy hands-on experience, teamwork, and the chance to work outdoors in a vibrant community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local green spaces while developing your horticultural skills.
- Qualifications: Horticultural qualification or equivalent experience; valid driving licence required.
- Other info: Perfect for those passionate about nature and community service!
Connect2Luton are excited to recruit a Skilled Gardener on behalf of Luton Borough Council.
Main purpose of position:
To work with other Gardeners, Volunteers, Horticultural Staff and Apprentices/Trainee gardeners ensuring that the diverse and daily workload required to maintain and improve Luton\’s public parks and gardens is delivered to achieve Green Flag Park Standards.
You will be responsible to:
Carry out a range of Horticultural maintenance tasks including among other things grass cutting, pruning, planting, sowing, raking, edging, weeding, sweeping, litter picking, and chemical application to recognised horticultural standards. Including driving and operating a range of vehicles and associated machinery including pedestrian and ride on machinery and hand held equipment. Paying particular attention to the security of parks/work locations by ensuring that all areas are left secure & with barriers locked.
Undertake daily routine safety and maintenance checks ensuring that all vehicles, machinery and equipment used are well maintained, kept clean and at all times are safely locked up or stored to ensure that they are protected from exposure to risk, damage, loss or theft.
Complete documents relating to the role of the post including daily work records, vehicle/equipment defect reporting, overtime claims accurately and in a timely manner.
Use the approved equipment provided and follow manufacturers recommended guidelines in relation to Hand Arm Vibration and application rates, undertaking the application of a range of Herbicides, Pesticides, Fungicides and Fertilizers as directed.
Assign and direct workload, providing on-site direction, mentoring and training of volunteers and other horticultural employees, sharing horticultural knowledge to provide opportunities for growth within the team and to ensuring they are organised effectively and well-motivated to achieve the required standards.
Undertake visual daily safety inspection of children\’s play areas, trees and parks infrastructure; bringing any areas of concern to the attention of a Park supervisor.
Skills and Experience:
- Able to work well as a member of a team, share knowledge and lead employees and volunteers
- Able to use own initiative in organising and undertaking tasks
- Able to prioritise and organise workloads to meet heavy and sometimes conflicting service demands, targets and deadlines
- Demonstrable knowledge of some common Horticultural pests and diseases and their treatments
- The ability to demonstrate a good understanding of the latest health and safety legislation especially when using equipment
- A Horticultural qualification or equivalent experience. City & Guilds phase 2 (Horticulture) or equivalent qualification OR equivalent experience
- Full valid driving licence to transport employees and equipment and to operate other associated vehicles and machinery
About Us
Luton Borough Council have partnered with Kent County Council to create Connect2Luton, a recruitment managed service for all contingent temporary agency, contract, and interim roles at the Council.
Our heritage and being local government owned which means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the public sector, with many of our employees having previously worked for the Council or have supplied previously into the Council, for several years.
We are an equal opportunities employment agency and business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
Connect2Luton is a trading style of Luton & Kent Commercial Services LLP – A joint venture between Luton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Luton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
Skilled Gardener employer: Connect2Luton
Contact Detail:
Connect2Luton Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Skilled Gardener
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Green Flag Park Standards, as this is a key aspect of the role. Understanding what these standards entail will help you demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high-quality public parks during any interviews or discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your teamwork skills by discussing any previous experiences where you've worked collaboratively with others. Highlighting your ability to lead and mentor volunteers can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of common horticultural pests and diseases, as well as their treatments. Being able to speak confidently about this topic will demonstrate your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Make sure you have a solid understanding of health and safety legislation related to horticultural work. Being able to discuss how you prioritise safety when using equipment will show that you take this responsibility seriously.
We think you need these skills to ace Skilled Gardener
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and skills required for the Skilled Gardener position. This will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous gardening or horticultural experience, especially tasks like pruning, planting, and using machinery. Mention any qualifications you have that relate to horticulture.
Showcase Teamwork Skills: Since the role involves working with a team, provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in past roles. Highlight any leadership or mentoring experiences with volunteers or trainees.
Demonstrate Safety Awareness: Mention your understanding of health and safety legislation, particularly in relation to equipment use. If you have experience conducting safety checks or maintaining equipment, be sure to include that in your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Connect2Luton
✨Show Your Horticultural Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of common horticultural pests and diseases, as well as their treatments. This will demonstrate your expertise and ability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Emphasise Teamwork Skills
Highlight your experience working in teams, especially in a gardening or horticultural context. Share examples of how you've led or mentored others, as this role involves directing volunteers and other staff.
✨Demonstrate Safety Awareness
Familiarise yourself with health and safety legislation related to horticultural work. Be ready to discuss how you ensure safety when using equipment and handling chemicals, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your practical skills, such as operating machinery or performing maintenance tasks. You might be asked to describe how you would approach specific gardening tasks, so think through your methods in advance.
