Gardener

Location: James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW

Salary: £26,642 per annum plus excellent benefits

Schedule: Full time 37.5 hours per week – 08.00am – 16.00pm Monday – Friday

As a Gardener in our Health Estates team, you’ll help create and maintain safe, welcoming outdoor spaces that support patient wellbeing, staff pride, and visitor experience. Your work will directly contribute to a clean, well-kept environment where communities feel cared for. From planned maintenance to seasonal grounds care, your role plays a vital part in ensuring our hospital estate runs smoothly and meets both regulatory standards and community expectations.

What You’ll Do As a Gardener:

• Carry out planned and reactive grounds maintenance, including grass cutting, hedge trimming, and general garden upkeep
• Inspect and maintain outdoor infrastructure such as slabs, kerbs, and drainage systems
• Complete weekly and monthly planned preventative maintenance tasks to meet contractual targets
• Undertake seasonal duties including winter maintenance and adverse weather response
• Safely apply treatments such as weed control and support tree inspection activities
• Work in line with safe systems of work, completing all documentation accurately and on time

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in horticulture or grounds maintenance (minimum 3 years or equivalent hands-on experience)
• A Level 3 NVQ in horticulture or a related discipline, or extensive practical experience
• A strong understanding of safe working practices and health and safety standards
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider team
• A proactive, reliable approach with pride in delivering high-quality work

Benefits:

• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, with the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year
• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a strong focus on internal progression
• Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Employee networks: Networks that support inclusion and connection across our organisation, including LGBTQIA+ colleagues, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and colleagues from all cultural backgrounds

Equal Opportunities and Inclusion:

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.

For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000. We support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.