At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a small team to maintain stunning gardens at Lambeth Palace.
- Company: Lambeth Palace is the historic home of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and health cash plan benefits.
- Why this job: Work in beautiful surroundings while making a positive impact on nature and community.
- Qualifications: RHS Level 2 or equivalent experience in horticulture required.
- Other info: Diversity is valued; applications from all backgrounds are encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 £ per year.
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.41bf1e1f-b16b-4260-a40a-17c77a06fd15
Gardener employer: Church of England
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 projects. Being knowledgeable about the location and its significance 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 insights into the work culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your application process.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your hands-on experience with horticultural machinery and tools. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've used them effectively in past roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Gardener
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in gardening and horticulture. Include any qualifications like RHS Level 2 and practical experience with horticultural machinery.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for plants and gardening. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to maintain gardens and work as part of a team.
Showcase Your Knowledge: In your application, emphasise your understanding of plant care, pest management, and health and safety legislation. This will show that you are well-prepared for the role.
Express Your Commitment to Diversity: Since the organisation values diversity, mention any experiences or perspectives that contribute to an inclusive environment. This can help you stand out as a candidate who aligns with their values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Church of England
✨Show Your Passion for Plants
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for gardening and plants during the interview. Share specific examples of your experience with different plant species and gardening techniques, as this will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Discuss any previous roles or experiences that relate directly to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Mention your familiarity with horticultural machinery and any relevant qualifications, such as RHS Level 2, to show you meet their requirements.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since you'll be working closely with a small team of gardeners, it's important to showcase your ability to collaborate effectively. Share examples of how you've worked well in teams in the past and how you can contribute to a positive work environment.
✨Prepare for Health and Safety Questions
Be ready to discuss your understanding of health and safety legislation related to gardening. You might be asked about how you ensure safety while using machinery or handling plants, so having specific examples will help you stand out.