At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team as a Gardener, maintaining beautiful grounds across five care homes in Kent.
- Company: We are dedicated to providing exceptional care and creating welcoming outdoor spaces for our residents.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with a company vehicle and all necessary equipment provided.
- Other info: This role requires travel between sites and is subject to a DBS check.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on residents' lives while working outdoors and honing your gardening skills.
- Qualifications: Must have a full UK driving license, chainsaw training, and strong gardening experience.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Employment Type: Full-time / 40 hours – Driving licence essential
The Role
An exciting new opportunity has arisen for an experienced Cluster Gardener to join our team and maintain the grounds across our estate in a hands‑on approach. Initially split over four of our sites but working at other sites as required, the Cluster Gardener will be responsible for ensuring that all gardens and outdoor spaces across the estate are held to the required standards. They will also be responsible for garden maintenance duties including, but not limited to, mowing, pruning, hedge trimming, and boundary cutting. The role also includes various tree works such as planting, cutting down, maintenance, and hazard assessments, and therefore requires the candidate to be chainsaw‑trained and ideally a tree surgeon by trade.
We are seeking someone who is self‑motivated, fast and focused, and has the ability to communicate with all levels of staff. The ideal candidate will have the relevant certification and training for the role, including being chainsaw‑trained, have strong organisational and forward‑planning skills to be able to manage and balance the needs of multiple sites, all while being sympathetic to the requirements of our residents, and have good knowledge of garden maintenance and associated equipment.
Requirements
Candidates must be able to travel to our different homes across the South East and South West regions as per the needs of the business, which may include overnight stays when required.
Essential
- A compassionate and caring nature
- Robust and high-quality gardening and grounds maintenance experience with a keen eye for detail
- Chainsaw‑trained, ideally a tree surgeon by trade
- Excellent communication skills
- Good knowledge of Health & Safety regulations
- Strong organisation and planning skills
- Able to work on own initiative as well as part of a teamA flexible approach to working hours
- Full and clean driving licence
This position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Gardener in Ashford employer: Hartford Care
Join our dedicated team as a Gardener, where you will enjoy a supportive work culture that values your expertise and commitment to maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces across our care homes in the picturesque Kent region. We offer competitive benefits, including a company vehicle for travel between sites, opportunities for professional development, and a chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents through your work. With a focus on teamwork and respect for individual contributions, we strive to create an environment where every employee can thrive and grow.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Gardener in Ashford
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to highlight your hands-on gardening experience during any conversations or interviews. Share specific examples of projects you've managed, especially those that demonstrate your ability to maintain multiple sites effectively.
✨Tip Number 2
Since a driving license is essential for this role, be prepared to discuss your driving experience and how it relates to travelling between different locations. Mention any previous roles where you had to manage travel logistics.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the Health & Safety regulations relevant to gardening and grounds maintenance. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show your commitment to safety and professionalism in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your organisational skills by preparing a plan for how you would manage the maintenance of gardens across multiple sites. This could include scheduling tasks and prioritising based on the needs of each location.
We think you need these skills to ace Gardener in Ashford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your gardening experience, particularly any roles that involved grounds maintenance. Include specific tasks you've performed, such as mowing, pruning, and tree works, to demonstrate your hands-on skills.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Clearly list any relevant certifications, especially chainsaw training, as well as your driving license. This is crucial for the role, so make it easy for the employer to see you meet these essential requirements.
Showcase Communication Skills:In your cover letter, emphasise your communication skills and how they have helped you work effectively in teams or with clients. Provide examples of how you've managed multiple sites or projects simultaneously.
Demonstrate Health & Safety Knowledge:Include a section in your application that outlines your understanding of Health & Safety regulations related to gardening and grounds maintenance. This shows that you are not only skilled but also responsible and safety-conscious.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hartford Care
✨Showcase Your Gardening Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your previous gardening experience in detail. Highlight specific projects you've worked on, particularly those that demonstrate your skills in maintenance, pruning, and tree works. This will show the interviewer that you have the hands-on experience they are looking for.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Since the role involves managing multiple sites, it's crucial to convey your organisational abilities. Share examples of how you've successfully planned and executed tasks across different locations, ensuring that all gardens were maintained to a high standard.
✨Emphasise Safety Knowledge
Given the importance of Health & Safety regulations in gardening, be ready to discuss your understanding of these guidelines. Mention any relevant certifications you hold, especially your chainsaw training, and how you apply safety measures in your work.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are essential for this role, especially when interacting with residents and team members. Prepare to share instances where your communication has positively impacted your work environment or helped resolve issues.
