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- Tasks: Maintain beautiful gardens and grounds for care homes, ensuring a welcoming environment.
- Company: Runwood Homes, a leading provider of residential and nursing care services.
- Benefits: 28 days paid holiday, pension scheme, discounts, and ongoing training.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a positive impact on residents' lives through gardening.
- Qualifications: Previous gardening experience and a strong understanding of plant care required.
- Other info: Flexible working across multiple sites with opportunities for career progression.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Care Home: To cover care homes across Essex
Salary: Dependent on Experience
About the role: We are currently seeking a confident and friendly Gardener to join the team at Runwood Homes. As Gardener, you will be responsible for maintaining the overall appearance, safety and presentation of our care homes' gardens and grounds, ensuring they remain welcoming and enjoyable for our residents, visitors and staff. Your duties will include the upkeep of lawns, hedges and flower beds, as well as supporting landscape planning in liaison with senior management. You will oversee propagation and plant health management, ensure greenhouses are properly maintained, and carry out seasonal tasks such as pruning and fruit picking. The role also involves completing scheduled daily, weekly and monthly checks, maintaining gardening tools and equipment, and keeping accurate work and activity schedules.
Benefits of working with Runwood Homes:
- 28 days Paid Holiday
- Pension Scheme
- Blue Light Card and access to various other discounts on travel, restaurants, days out and leisure
- Employee Assistance Scheme that is also available to immediate family members
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing, paid training
- Free DBS Check
- Opportunities to progress your career within the company
- Free, on-site parking
Key Responsibilities:
- Maintain lawns, hedges, flower beds and landscaped areas
- Carry out daily, weekly, monthly and six-monthly garden checks
- Support landscape planning in liaison with directors
- Ensure work aligns with the Home’s Maintenance Schedule
- Oversee propagation and plant health management
- Maintain greenhouses and assist with seasonal planting and harvesting
- Carry out minor repairs and general maintenance of gardening tools and equipment
- Maintain sheds, storage areas and gardening equipment
- Keep accurate work and activity schedules
- Provide gardening support across additional sites where required
About you: You will have previous gardening or horticultural experience and a strong understanding of plant care and grounds maintenance. A relevant qualification in horticulture, agriculture or a related field would be advantageous. You are reliable, self-motivated and take pride in delivering high standards of presentation. You will be organised, safety-conscious and able to work independently, with a flexible approach to supporting multiple sites. A full UK driving licence is required for this role.
About Runwood Homes: Established in 1987, Runwood Homes is a leading provider of residential care, dementia care, and nursing care services, with a portfolio of over 59 homes across the UK. Our commitment to delivering personalised care is at the core of our mission, as we strive to celebrate the lives of each and every one of our residents. At Runwood Homes, we prioritise the professional development of our staff by investing in comprehensive internal, external, and e-training programs at all levels. This dedication to continuous learning and growth ensures that our team is equipped to provide the highest quality of care to our residents. As we look towards the future, our reputation for delivering innovative care for individuals living with dementia continues to flourish. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of care excellence and setting new standards in the industry.
All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of adults. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances. You can apply for this role by completing our short application form or by visiting the home where one of our team can help you.
Gardener - Head Office - Benfleet employer: Runwood Homes Limited
Contact Detail:
Runwood Homes Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Gardener - Head Office - Benfleet
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Runwood Homes. Understand their values and what they stand for. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Think about common interview questions related to gardening and grounds maintenance. Prepare your answers, but keep them natural. We want you to sound confident and knowledgeable when discussing your experience with plant care and garden upkeep.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you have any photos or examples of your previous gardening work, bring them along. Visuals can really help demonstrate your expertise and passion for maintaining beautiful gardens, which is exactly what Runwood Homes is looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Gardener - Head Office - Benfleet
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gardening: When writing your application, let us see your love for gardening shine through! Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your skills and enthusiasm for maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces.
Tailor Your CV to the Role: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your previous gardening or horticultural experience and any relevant qualifications to catch our eye!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read and understand your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s quick and easy, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our fantastic team at Runwood Homes!
How to prepare for a job interview at Runwood Homes Limited
✨Know Your Plants
Brush up on your horticultural knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific plants, their care requirements, and any experience you have with maintaining gardens. This shows your passion and expertise in gardening, which is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your previous gardening roles that highlight your skills in maintenance, plant health management, and landscape planning. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisation Skills
Since the role involves keeping accurate work schedules and performing regular checks, be ready to discuss how you stay organised. Share any tools or methods you use to manage your tasks effectively, as this will show you can handle the responsibilities of the job.
✨Be Friendly and Approachable
As you'll be working in care homes, it's important to convey a friendly and approachable attitude during the interview. Practice your interpersonal skills and think about how you can create a welcoming environment for residents and staff alike.