Grounds Person - Gardeners

4 days out of 5 (40hrs) with weekends as per rota (usually 1 in 3 Saturday mornings).

Queen Ethelburga’s is set in more than 220 acres of beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, on the Thorpe Underwood Estate. Staff work as one team – whether they are directly teaching or supporting students as part of the school and pastoral teams, or as part of our estates team making sure that the campus works as it should – to create a vibrant learning and living environment in which every student can thrive. We aspire to excellence, have high expectations of ourselves and others, and take pride in everything we do. We aim to nurture resilient, confident, and independent lifelong learners. The Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate Standard is ‘To be the best that I can with the gifts that I have’.

The grounds team work as part of a larger team responsible for 220 acres of hard and soft landscaping, playgrounds and high-quality playing surfaces. These are mainly used by students of all ages across the campus and are utilised during our commercial periods to host International educational camps, Premier League football clubs, their academies and other large sporting bodies, including The Rugby League, The Rugby Football Union and Televised shows from the BBC. This job description is written at a specific time and is subject to change as the demands of the Collegiate and the role develops. The role requires flexibility and adaptability and the employees of the Collegiate need to be aware that they may be asked to perform tasks and be given responsibilities not detailed in this job description.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• A keen eye for detail to maintain a variety of certified surfaces and systems that include but not limited to:
• Maintenance of formal lawns, flower beds & hedgerows
• Use and maintenance of ground care machinery
• Artificial Play surface and basic equipment maintenance
• Basic tree work and maintenance
• Use and maintenance of our estates irrigation system
• Assisting with the upkeep, maintenance and safety aspects of the whole site

What we need from you?

• An entry level horticultural or forestry and arboriculture qualification such as a City & Guilds Level 2 diploma in Horticulture.
• Previous experience of the horticultural or forestry industry and use of ride on and or powered hand held machinery.
• Ideally PA1, PA2 & PA6 safe use of chemical qualification, but not essential.
• Good communication skills are essential when it comes to your team members, teachers and visitors.
• A flexible approach to working hours and tasks with a can do attitude.
• A conscientious and safe approach to all your work to ensure safeguarding for you, your colleagues and everyone within the school environment.
• Working as part of a team and contributing to the positive team dynamic, with a healthy sense of humour!

Benefits:

• Competitive salaries, with a range of flexible hours to suit.
• 10% discount on kindergarten fees (aged 3 months to 3 years).
• Significant discount on school fees from age 3 to 18.
• Free private staff gym, separate to the students with state-of-the-art equipment.
• Free, secure onsite parking and electric vehicle charging points on site for staff.
• Staff community social events including bonfire and fireworks, Christmas ball, summer fun day etc.
• 24/7 Employee Assistant Programme.
• Training and Development Opportunities.
• Increased holiday entitlement for staff with long service.
• Long service awards.
• Discount on King’s Theatre productions – external events.
• Enhanced paternity / maternity pay, including new baby book.
• Refer a friend scheme - We believe that staff are our greatest and most valuable asset, and this scheme involves and financially rewards our staff for referring like-minded candidates who join our school community.

Applying:

QE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for its pupils and staff. Applicants will be required to provide proof of identity and undergo the relevant DBS checks for their role. Any questions on individual roles or the recruitment process can be sent to the HR department on recruitment@qe.org.