City Gardens Apprentice Gardener

This opportunity gives you experience and skills in horticulture in the centre of the City of London. You will work towards ensuring that our award-winning gardens are maintained to the highest standards for the enjoyment of the public and other users. In addition, you will work on improvement projects usually undertaken during the winter period.

Responsibilities

• Undertake general horticultural maintenance such as grass cutting, pruning, planting, irrigation, edge‑strimming, annual seasonal bedding, weeding and clearance of hard surfaces.
• Carry out basic repair, maintenance and installation of fences, barriers, gates, bollards, seats, signs, paths, bins and other garden features under supervision.
• Use hand and power tools and grounds‑maintenance equipment.
• Pick up litter, empty and replace bins, sweep footpaths to keep gardens clean and tidy.
• Learn and assist Gardeners and Team Leaders with hard and soft landscaping projects, including ground preparation, paving, construction, planting, trees/shrubs and general landscaping operations.
• Attend monthly staff meetings and site‑specific project meetings.
• Work as part of a team to maintain productive relationships with staff, Team Leaders and external agencies.
• Attend college once per week as part of the City of London Apprenticeship Programme and complete coursework and examinations.
• Provide a highly visible presence to support well‑being of customers and engage the public about City Gardens.
• Assist in promoting City Gardens to local schools, colleges and service groups.
• Observe departmental safety procedures, use PPE, comply with COSHH, risk assessments and report incidents.
• Implement City of London Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Equality Policy.
• Perform any other duties appropriate to the grade, applying health and safety, environmental mitigation, manual handling and construction design management processes.

Health and Safety

• Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies.
• Use safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements.
• Adequately store and dispose of waste, recycle or compost where feasible.
• Set up pre‑start checks, maintain tools, equipment and machinery safely.
• Communicate with technical and non‑technical audiences appropriately.
• Identify plants by scientific names, maintain phytosanitary and bio‑security procedures.
• Identify and report plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
• Provide plant health care such as watering, nutrition and light management.
• Maintain soft landscapes, prune plants, clear unwanted vegetation, and construct hard landscape features such as fences, walls, drainage and paving.
• Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration and professional development.

Qualifications and Skills

• GCSE English (grade 4) and Maths (grade 4).
• Communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Organisational skills.
• Customer care skills.
• Logical thinking.
• Team working.
• Initiative.
• Non‑judgemental attitude.
• Patience.
• Physical fitness.

Additional Information

The City Corporation has a rich history that precedes parliament. The City of London Corporation forms part of London and is responsible for local government services. Based at the Guildhall, the corporation promotes the City of London. Staff can take advantage of a pension scheme and receive discounts and special offers for a wide range of products and services.

Candidate may receive adjustments to the apprenticeship based on prior knowledge and experience.