At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain beautiful grounds and gardens, ensuring high standards of aesthetics and biodiversity.
- Company: Join Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, a proud local employer in the NHS Wales family.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, work in a supportive team, and contribute to community health and wellbeing.
- Other info: Flexible working across various sites with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while enjoying the outdoors and developing your gardening skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in gardening, horticulture, and operating machinery is preferred.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 30000 £ per year.
Go back Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Grounds Gardener
The closing date is 18 September 2025
The Grounds and Gardens team is instrumental within the Health Board in ensuring that the grounds and gardens across our sites are maintained to a high standard. The Grounds and Gardens department is split into three teams across the 3 regions with one team operating from each regional base and supporting the operational delivery of Grounds and Gardens services across the Health Board.
The Team contribute to the Facilities and Health Board plan in delivering site environmental goals and objectives and supporting continuous improvement in site aesthetic and bio-diversity standards and performance. Ensure the service meets the required health and care standard and quality, provide value for money and effective service delivery.
The post holder will regularly cut and maintain specific scheduled task lawn areas across the sites that are not maintained by the contracted service. Working with external contractors where necessary.
You will be required to trim and prune flowers, trees (to include ivy growing up) and shrubs in accordance with good gardening practice and to prevent foliage overhanging pathways, roadways, drainage gullies and manholes etc.
The post holder will undertake seasonal on call duties supporting site gritting and snow clearance that fall outside of normal working hours and at all sites as requested supporting the service provided by the external adverse weather contractor. Use of equipment and machinery will support these duties.
Main duties of the job
The Grounds and Gardens team is instrumental within the Health Board in ensuring that the grounds and gardens across our sites are maintained to a high standard. The Grounds and Gardens department is split into three teams across the 3 regions with one team operating from each regional base and supporting the operational delivery of Grounds and Gardens services across the Health Board.
The Team contribute to the Facilities and Health Board plan in delivering site environmental goals and objectives and supporting continuous improvement in site aesthetic and bio-diversity standards and performance. Ensure the service meets the required health and care standard and quality, provide value for money and effective service delivery.
The post holder will regularly cut and maintain specific scheduled task lawn areas across the sites that are not maintained by the contracted service. Working with external contractors where necessary.
You will be required to trim and prune flowers, trees (to include ivy growing up) and shrubs in accordance with good gardening practice and to prevent foliage overhanging pathways, roadways, drainage gullies and manholes etc.
The post holder will undertake seasonal on call duties supporting site gritting and snow clearance that fall outside of normal working hours and at all sites as requested supporting the service provided by the external adverse weather contractor. Use of equipment and machinery will support these duties.
About us
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is part of the NHS Wales family. Our Health Board provides primary, secondary and community health and wellbeing services to around 450,000 people living in three County Boroughs: Bridgend Merthyr Tydfil, and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
We live by our core values:
- We listen, learn and improve
- We treat everyone with respect
- We all work together as one team
We are a proud local employer; around 80% of our 15000 workforce live within our region, making our staff not only our lifeblood of our organisation but of the diverse communities that we serve.
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac
Person Specification
Experience
- BTEC or City & Guilds Level 2 and able to demonstrate competency through understanding, learned development and or experience (2year)
- Level 2 Competence in felling small trees
- Qualification in using Pesticides
- Level 2 in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting
- NVQ L1 and/orL2 in Horticulture or equivalent gardening
- 4x4 adverse weather driving qualification/course
- IPAF certification is an for the use of powered access machinery
Experience
- Previous gardening and horticultural experience in a commercial or public services environment
- Previous experience with operation of plant machinery and equipment
- Previous experience in Safe Systems of Work
- Experience of tractor and petrol mower handling.
- Previous experience of driving tractors, gritting trailers, 4 X 4 vehicles in adverse weather
Values and Aptitude
- Demonstrates ability to work in demanding environment
- Flexible approach to support role and working across all Health Board Sites.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Grounds Gardener in Bridgend employer: Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment where employees can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development and community engagement, our Grounds Gardener role offers the opportunity to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our local population while enjoying a range of benefits, including competitive pay, training opportunities, and a chance to work in beautiful outdoor settings across our three regions.
Contact Details:
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Grounds Gardener in Bridgend
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Grounds Gardener in Bridgend
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Grounds Gardener.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
