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- Tasks: Maintain beautiful park gardens and landscapes while ensuring safety for visitors.
- Company: Join the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, a leader in wildlife conservation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 34 days leave, healthcare plan, and free zoo entry for you and friends.
- Why this job: Make a difference in nature while developing your horticultural skills in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: SVQ level 2 in horticulture or equivalent experience required.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and a supportive team culture.
The predicted salary is between 24896 - 27749 £ per year.
The role involves the maintenance of park gardens including the nursery and landscape, enclosure areas, facilities and infrastructure owned by RZSS in line with the garden team’s procedures and ongoing site development plans in support of RZSS’ vision and mission. Providing high standards of general maintenance to ensure that all areas of the site are safe and well presented for our visitors.
Some of the things you’ll do:
- Undertake, as directed, the construction and maintenance of enclosures, gardens and landscaping to ensure that all areas of the site are safe and well presented for our visitors.
- Assist with the co-ordination of a wide range of horticultural activities (e.g. lawn care, mowing, strimming, blowing, hedge trimming, planting, pruning, weeding) and other general garden work that involve other sections and departments.
- Conduct routine cleaning, inspection and maintenance of assigned small plant and vehicles according to the agreed transport policy and best practice.
- Oversee the work of assigned colleagues (Grounds Person) and volunteers, giving appropriate coaching guidance and direction to ensure work is completed in an efficient, professional and timely manner.
- Take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and that of others, complying with safety rules and procedures.
Please see the role profile for further information on what the role involves and essential/desirable criteria.
What we’re looking for:
- You’ll have a relevant SVQ level 2 qualification in horticulture or equivalent qualification or experience.
- Be able to demonstrate horticultural competence with a variety of plant material.
- Have practical experience in horticultural and/or landscaping activity.
- Able to both work as part of a team, or on your own.
- Able to demonstrate and set a good example of health and safety practice to others.
What you’ll get in return:
- Starting salary between £24,896 or £25,516 (offer based on experience) with future salary progression up to £27,749 per annum.
- 34 days annual leave (pro rata).
- Discount in both retail/catering.
- Access to a healthcare plan.
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), providing 24‑hour counselling and support, including health, legal, finance, wellbeing and family advice.
- Employer contributory pension scheme.
- Staff membership providing free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoos across the UK.
If this role excites you and aligns with your career aspirations, click APPLY now. This role is subject to standard pre‑employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK and Basic Disclosure check. Please note that shortlisting of applications and interviews for this position will take place while the advert is live. The advert will close once a successful candidate has been found. Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce following the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010.
We offer a range of great benefits which you can read about here.
Gardener employer: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
Contact Detail:
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Gardener
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research RZSS and their mission. When you understand their values, you can tailor your conversations during interviews to show how you fit right in with their vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or at local gardening events. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider tips or even a referral that could boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for practical assessments! Since this role involves hands-on work, brush up on your horticultural skills. Practise common tasks like pruning or planting so you can impress during any practical tests.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at RZSS!
We think you need these skills to ace Gardener
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Horticulture: When writing your application, let your love for gardening and horticulture shine through! Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your skills and enthusiasm for maintaining beautiful green spaces.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to match the job description. Highlight relevant qualifications, like your SVQ level 2 in horticulture, and any practical experience you have in landscaping or garden maintenance.
Be Clear About Your Experience: Don’t just list your past jobs; explain what you did in each role! Talk about specific tasks you’ve handled, like lawn care or hedge trimming, and how they relate to the responsibilities of the Gardener position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
✨Know Your Horticulture
Brush up on your knowledge of different plant materials and horticultural practices. Be ready to discuss your practical experience in landscaping and gardening, as well as any relevant qualifications you have. This will show that you're not just passionate about gardening but also knowledgeable.
✨Safety First!
Since health and safety are crucial in this role, be prepared to talk about how you ensure a safe working environment. Share examples of how you've implemented safety practices in previous jobs or during your training. This will demonstrate your commitment to keeping yourself and others safe.
✨Team Player Vibes
This role requires teamwork, so think of examples where you've successfully worked with others. Whether it’s coordinating with colleagues or guiding volunteers, showing that you can collaborate effectively will make you stand out. Highlight any leadership experiences you’ve had, even if they were informal.
✨Show Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for gardening and landscape maintenance shine through. Talk about what excites you about the role and how it aligns with RZSS's vision and mission. A genuine passion can set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re a great fit for their team.
