Gardener

Gardener – Leicester Location: Leicester Job Type: Temporary Hours: 37 hours per week Pay Rate: £13.49 per hour PAYE ex Holiday | £17.58 per hour Umbrella

Service Care Solutions are currently recruiting for an experienced Gardener to join a busy Parks and Open Spaces team in Leicester. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a background in horticulture, grounds maintenance or landscaping who enjoys working outdoors and takes pride in maintaining high-quality public spaces. You will be responsible for carrying out a range of horticultural and grounds maintenance duties across parks, open spaces and other green areas throughout Leicester.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out high-quality horticultural and grounds maintenance work across parks, open spaces, housing and highways land.
• Maintain flower beds, planted areas, grassed areas and other horticultural features.
• Prepare and maintain sports areas and features, including artificial surfaces.
• Maintain and develop hard and soft landscaping features.
• Use and maintain a range of specialist hand tools, mechanical equipment and horticultural machinery.
• Drive and operate tractors where appropriately qualified.
• Safely prepare and apply chemicals such as herbicides, fungicides and insecticides where required.
• Keep parks, grounds and work areas clean, safe and tidy.
• Provide advice and assistance to members of the public using parks and facilities.
• Complete routine paperwork and maintain accurate records.
• Report any defects, issues or hazards to the Team Leader.
• Ensure all work is completed in line with Health & Safety, environmental and operational procedures.
• Contribute to keeping Leicester's parks and open spaces safe, attractive, accessible and welcoming.
• Carry out other duties associated with the role as required.

About You

• A recognised qualification in horticulture, grounds maintenance or ecology.
• Experience using horticultural machinery and specialist equipment.
• Experience working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• A good understanding of Health & Safety within a horticultural or grounds maintenance environment.
• Good communication skills and the ability to deal professionally with members of the public.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a wider team.
• Good organisation skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• A willingness to undertake further training and obtain additional qualifications where required.
• The physical ability to undertake manual work, including lifting and handling equipment and materials.
• A full driving license.

Desirable Experience & Qualifications

• Tractor driving/operator qualification or experience.
• PA1/PA6 or another appropriate pesticide application qualification.
• Experience applying pesticides safely.
• Knowledge of COSHH requirements.
• Experience of ecology-related work.
• Experience working directly with members of the public.
• Experience maintaining sports surfaces.
• Knowledge of safe tractor operation.

Working Environment

This is an active, hands-on role requiring you to work outdoors throughout the year and in varying weather conditions. You may also occasionally be required to work outside normal hours, including weekends or during holiday periods to support events and operational requirements. You will need to be comfortable working across different locations within Leicester and able to work under pressure while maintaining a high standard of work.

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