Gardener

Gardener

Nottingham Full-Time 25400 - 42600 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team to maintain stunning gardens at Lambeth Palace, ensuring plants and wildlife thrive.
  • Company: Lambeth Palace is a historic site and home to the Archbishop of Canterbury, rich in culture and community.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working options, and access to health cash plans and development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Be part of a diverse team, contribute to a beautiful environment, and make a positive impact on the community.
  • Qualifications: RHS Level 2 or equivalent experience in horticulture and knowledge of gardening techniques required.
  • Other info: We encourage applications from under-represented groups and offer a supportive, inclusive workplace.

The predicted salary is between 25400 - 42600 £ per year.

Job Description

Summary

PASSIONATE ABOUT PLANTS, WE ARE HIRING FOR A GARDENER!
About the Department/Role
Lambeth Palace is a unique Grade I listed building of significant and global provenance. It is, first and foremost, the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury and their family, as well as home to a wider, diverse and thriving residential community. It is also an office and the epicentre of the Archbishop of Canterbury's ministry to the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion. It is set within 10 acres of beautiful, landscaped gardens, with wilder areas.
What you'll be doing
The purpose of this role is to proactively assist the Head Gardener in the overall presentation of Lambeth Palace Gardens and provide high-quality hands-on support to ensure that detailed schedules of gardening work can be effectively delivered. This includes organically maintaining and caring for the planting, meadows, and lawns and helping to create an environment where plants, wildlife, and people flourish.
The postholder will be working with a small team of 3 gardeners. As a team, you are expected to ensure the gardens are kept to an exceptional standard while extending a warm and inclusive approach to all other staff and garden visitors.
Summary of main responsibilities
  • Routine weeding and mowing to keep lawn areas in top condition. Other lawn tasks include edging and re-seeding.
  • Safely using machinery, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, mowers (ride-on and pedestrian), strimmer and chipper.
  • Maintenance of flower, shrub and rose beds and edging of grass, including pruning.
  • Complying with Health and Safety Policy as indicated and playing a part in ensuring that the workplace is kept safe. Flagging any concerns with the Line Manager. This role involves manual handling, working at height and driving a ride-on mower.
Key role requirements
  • A basic DBS check will be required as part of our pre-employment checks.
  • The position is based in London, requiring the individual to work at Lambeth Palace from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, with some occasional weekend/evening work.
You will need to be/have:
  • RHS Level 2 (or similar) or equivalent practical experience.
  • The ability to handle a range of horticultural machinery and powered hand tools.
  • An in-depth knowledge of plants and gardening techniques.
  • An understanding of all current health and safety legislation.
  • The ability to identify and treat appropriately the full range of horticultural pests and diseases.
About You
The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course, we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to recruiting disabled people. We offer interviews to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the role.
Please refer to the Job Description for more information about the role and person specification.
What we offer
Your Salary
  • A salary of £30,430 per annum, plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.
Your Benefits
  • 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus eight bank holidays and three additional days (pro-rated if working part-time).
  • We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. This is looked at in a case-by-case scenario and if this fits within the department's needs. We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
  • We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships.
  • Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK's leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements for routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.
  • Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme 
  • Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus-one guest.
  • Apply for eligibility for an Eyecare voucher.
  • Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies.
ABOUT NATIONAL CHURCH INSTITUTIONS
The National Church Institutions comprises a wide variety of teams, professions and functions that support the mission and ministries of the Church of England in its vision to be a church, centred on Jesus Christ, for the whole nation – a church that is simpler, humbler, bolder.
We Include. You Belong.
Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.
Living out our values in all that we do, we:
  • Strive for Excellence
  • Show Compassion
  • Respect others
  • Collaborate
  • Act with Integrity
We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward. The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith. We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people who share our values. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we're looking for then we would like to hear from you.
Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for the role.

Gardener employer: Church of England

Lambeth Palace offers a unique and enriching work environment for gardeners, set within 10 acres of stunning gardens that reflect the heritage of the Archbishop of Canterbury. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we provide generous benefits including 25 days of annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional development. Our inclusive culture values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging, making it an excellent place for those passionate about horticulture to thrive.
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Contact Detail:

Church of England Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Gardener

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific plants and gardening techniques mentioned in the job description. This will not only help you during the interview but also show your genuine interest in the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Visit Lambeth Palace Gardens if possible, or research its history and current gardening practices. Being able to discuss the gardens in detail during your interview can set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 3

Network with current or former employees of Lambeth Palace or similar institutions. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for your application.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your experience with horticultural machinery and pest management. Highlighting your practical skills in these areas will demonstrate that you are well-equipped for the responsibilities of the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Gardener

Knowledge of horticultural practices
Experience with gardening machinery and tools
Ability to identify and manage pests and diseases
Understanding of health and safety regulations
Attention to detail in garden maintenance
Teamwork and collaboration skills
Physical stamina for manual handling and outdoor work
Time management skills for scheduling tasks
Basic plant identification skills
Pruning and edging techniques
Knowledge of organic gardening methods
Communication skills for interacting with team members and visitors

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant gardening experience, particularly any work with horticultural machinery and knowledge of plants. Mention any qualifications like RHS Level 2 or equivalent practical experience.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for gardening and how it aligns with the values of Lambeth Palace. Discuss your ability to work in a team and your commitment to maintaining high standards in garden care.

Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasise your skills in using gardening tools and machinery, as well as your understanding of health and safety legislation. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed similar tasks in previous roles.

Highlight Inclusivity: Since the role encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, mention any experiences that demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity and teamwork. This can help you stand out as a candidate who aligns with the organisation's values.

How to prepare for a job interview at Church of England

✨Know Your Plants

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of plants and gardening techniques. Be prepared to discuss specific plants, their care requirements, and any experience you have with pest management. This will show your passion and expertise in horticulture.

✨Demonstrate Team Spirit

Since you'll be working closely with a small team of gardeners, highlight your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively. Share examples from past experiences where you contributed to a team effort, especially in a gardening or outdoor setting.

✨Safety First

Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations related to gardening. Be ready to discuss how you ensure safety when using machinery and handling tools. This shows that you take workplace safety seriously, which is crucial for this role.

✨Show Enthusiasm for the Role

Express your genuine interest in working at Lambeth Palace and contributing to its beautiful gardens. Share what excites you about the role and how you can help create an environment where plants, wildlife, and people flourish.

Gardener
Church of England
Location: Nottingham
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