Part-Time Gardener (maternity cover) (Oxford)

Manpower Recruitment have teamed up with an established college on the edge of Oxford City Centre who are looking for a Part-Time Gardener (maternity cover) on a 1 yr. FTC. The pay will be £16242-£16,779 p.a. for 22 hours per week, in which you can be flexible with days and times spread over three days during the week.

Main purpose of job: To support the Head Gardener in the care, maintenance, and ongoing enhancement of the College gardens, ensuring they remain an attractive and valued asset to the College community.

Key responsibilities

• Maintenance of Lawns – mowing, irrigation, feeding, edging, scarification, top dressing, spiking, rolling, turf lifting/laying, grass seeding and leaf sweeping.
• Maintenance of Borders – including planting, pruning and general care of all plants.
• Learning the identity and characteristics of annual, herbaceous and shrubby plants and trees.
• Working with the Head Gardener on seasonal tasks that will involve the use of hand tools.
• Seasonal planting for attractive displays in planters & troughs.
• Caring for greenhouse plants, propagation, watering, feeding.
• Composting & recycling – where possible recycle green waste, including mowings and leaves on site.
• Weed Control – on hard surfaces, hedge lines, beds and borders by mechanical means.
• General gardening in the Principal’s garden, including grass cutting and maintaining patio planters.
• Clearing of all leaf litter in garden areas.
• Attention to litter on external hard and soft surfaces.
• Operate college machinery as directed by line manager with appropriate instruction and training.
• Keep tennis courts clear of leaves and garden debris, cut overhanging branches and trim hedges as necessary.
• Encouraging beneficial wildlife, including birds and bats.
• Occasional working on outside properties as required.

Health & Safety

• Ensure all work is carried out in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act and other relevant legislation.
• Maintain Risk and COSHH assessments for all work tasks and chemicals used within the gardens.
• Clear snow and ice as required to help keep main routes safe during inclement weather.

Training

• Training will be provided in specific areas such as manual handling, use of ladders, safety at height.
• The option to train for PA1 and PA6, the Theory and Practice of knapsack spraying for the use of chemicals, will be made available.

Sustainability & Biodiversity

• Work in harmony with natural processes, supporting sustainable gardening practices.
• Encourage and protect beneficial wildlife, including birds, bats, and insects.

Person Specification

• Essential: Some horticultural qualifications necessary or equivalent experience.
• An ability to communicate effectively with college members at all levels.
• A positive and helpful attitude towards work and colleagues.
• Self-motivation and the ability to work unsupervised as well as in a team.
• The applicant must be physically fit.

• Desirable: A good sense of aesthetics is held desirable.

Hours: 22 hours per week.

Holiday: Pro-rata of 38 days per annum (including Bank Holidays and college closure days).

Pension: The post is pensionable and the post holder eligible for membership of the Universities’ OSPS contributory pension scheme.

Duration of contract: This post is required to cover maternity leave which is expected to be for one year.

Other benefits: Eligibility for Oxford Colleges Healthcare Scheme, enhanced maternity pay, sick pay related to length of service, interest-free travel to work loan, parking availability, free lunches, use of college sports facilities, University Card giving free access to the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum.

If interested, please get in contact with a Manpower representative.