The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
We are looking for a motivated and skilled Gardener/Groundsperson to join our team and help maintain and enhance our outdoor spaces to a high standard. This is a hands‑on role ideal for someone who takes pride in their work and enjoys working outdoors in all weathers. Maintaining our Parks and Open Spaces are some of our core service deliveries. We are currently looking to recruit into our service as part of our Streetscene Team. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
This role is a full time (37 hours per week) and will require you to start at 7.00am and will be working Monday to Friday only.
Responsibilities
- Maintenance to a high standard of a wide variety of ornamental planting features such as annual bedding and perennial displays, ornamental lawns, shrub beds and minor tree works.
- Use and maintenance of a variety of ride‑on & pedestrian mowers, handheld machinery (Strimmers, Hedge cutters & basic chainsaw).
- General litter clearance, cleaning and maintenance of parks and gardens, including hard landscape, furniture and buildings.
- Ensure that all work is completed safely and in line with health and safety guidelines.
- Identify and report any issues or hazards across the grounds
About you
The following experience is required for this role:
- You will need to hold a minimum driving licence including C1 + E & CPC would be beneficial.
- Experience of outdoor manual working.
- Experience of using a range of powered machinery.
- Able to identify and maintain common ornamental planting including shrubs, trees and annual bedding plants.
- Ability to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment. A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position
please contact Chris Camfield – Streetscene Manager on 0118 937 3040 or email Chris.Camfield@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Sunday 25 th October 2026 Interview Date: To be confirmed Interview in person at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX
Interview format
- Question & answer panel interview
- Plant identification Test
- Formal route planning, vehicle defect and Hand Held Machinery tests
- Interview process will last for approximately 1.5hrs
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Gardener/Groundsperson in Reading employer: Reading Borough Council
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