At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces for military families at RAF bases.
- Company: Join VIVO, a dynamic team dedicated to supporting military communities.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for skill development and career growth.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value diversity and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Enjoy working outdoors while making a positive impact on military family lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in gardening or landscaping is a plus; a full UK driving licence is essential.
The predicted salary is between 26716 - 30000 £ per year.
VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.
Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent
Location: RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk IP27 9PP
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8:00-5:00
We're looking for a dedicated Gardener to join our friendly team maintaining the gardens and outdoor areas of Military Family Housing across RAF Lakenheath, RAF Feltwell and RAF Mildenhall. If you enjoy working outside, have an eye for detail and take pride in creating and maintaining attractive outdoor spaces, we'd love to hear from you.
About The Role
As a Gardener, you'll be responsible for maintaining gardens and landscaped areas across Military Family Housing. Your day-to-day duties will include:
- Grass cutting, lawn care, weed control, leaf clearance, topping up pea shingle and carrying out general garden maintenance to ensure outdoor spaces remain tidy, safe and welcoming.
- Using a range of hand tools and light horticultural machinery, clearing litter and garden waste, managing basic stock levels and working safely in line with health and safety procedures.
- Contributing to delivering excellent customer service while supporting VIVO's values and commitment to continuous improvement.
About You
We're looking for someone who enjoys working outdoors, has a positive attitude and takes real pride in the quality of their work. Previous experience in gardening, grounds maintenance or landscaping is desirable, along with experience using horticultural machinery and powered hand tools. Knowledge of gardening techniques and seasonal maintenance would be an advantage. You’ll have good communication skills, enjoy working as part of a team and have a strong understanding of safe working practices. A full UK driving licence is essential, as you'll be travelling between RAF Lakenheath, RAF Feltwell and RAF Mildenhall. A high school diploma or equivalent is desirable.
Joining VIVO means becoming part of a team that delivers services which make a real difference to the lives of military families. This is a permanent, full-time position offering a varied outdoor role where no two days are the same. As our business continues to grow, you'll have opportunities to develop your skills and build your career within an organisation that values teamwork, integrity, respect and innovation.
The role you have applied for is with VIVO Defence Services, a joint venture between Serco and EQUANS.
At VIVO, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. Therefore, we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working and operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly a Disability Confident Leader. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.
Gardener | RAF Lakenheath employer: Serco Canada Inc
At Serco Canada Inc, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values innovation and collaboration. Our Birmingham location provides the perfect blend of remote flexibility and access to a vibrant city, while our commitment to employee growth ensures that you will have ample opportunities to develop your skills in the ever-evolving tech landscape of the Defence sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Gardener | RAF Lakenheath
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like Serco Canada Inc.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like Serco Canada Inc.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at Serco Canada Inc; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Gardener | RAF Lakenheath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at Serco Canada Inc.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Gardener | RAF Lakenheath.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Serco Canada Inc is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at Serco Canada Inc a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco Canada Inc
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at Serco Canada Inc might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
