At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead gardening and landscaping to keep the school grounds looking amazing all year round.
- Company: Join Gloucestershire's largest comprehensive school with a vibrant community of staff and students.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, wellbeing support, and access to the school's gym.
- Other info: Flexible hours, family-friendly policies, and opportunities for further study and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in creating a welcoming environment for students and staff.
- Qualifications: GCSE literacy and numeracy, gardening experience, and maintenance skills required.
The predicted salary is between 13068 - 15704 £ per year.
Gloucestershire's largest comprehensive school with over 200 staff and approximately 1,800 students is seeking a Gardener and Site Team Operative to lead the school's gardening and landscaping work, focusing on keeping the grounds maintained to a high standard throughout the year.
Shift Patterns
- Option One: 19.5 hours per week, pro-rata salary range GBP 13,068 – 13,697. Monday, Tuesday and Friday 10:00–17:00 (30-minute unpaid break).
- Option Two: 22.5 hours per week, pro-rata salary range GBP 15,079 – 15,804. Monday – Friday 09:30–14:30 (30-minute unpaid break) – Growing Season (April – October). Monday – Friday 12:00–17:00 (30-minute unpaid break) – Colder Months (November – March).
As Gardener and Site Team Operative, You Will
- Support the Commercial and Facilities Manager in leading all associated activities to best support the school in achieving its strategic objectives.
- Promote the school's aims and priorities, and reach targets in line with the school's strategic framework and short-term priorities.
- Lead the school's gardening and landscaping work, focusing on maintaining a high standard of grounds throughout the year.
- Take primary responsibility for the maintenance and presentation of the school's smaller flower beds, planters and front-of-school entrance areas, ensuring these spaces reflect well on the school at all times and create a welcoming environment for pupils, staff and visitors.
- During the growing season (typically March – October) carry out regular weeding, edging, deadheading, pruning and general tidying of all designated planted areas.
- Plan and implement seasonal planting schemes for flower beds and entrance displays in liaison with the Commercial and Facilities Manager, selecting appropriate plants, bedding and bulbs to ensure colour and interest throughout the year, working within agreed budget parameters.
- Maintain the school premises including internal fixtures, fittings and furniture.
- Ensure standards of safety, cleanliness and tidiness are maintained and monitored throughout the school and grounds.
- Respond to emergency callouts in the event of fire damage, burglary, floods, snow or ice.
- Ensure the security of the buildings and grounds.
- Carry out and support the general maintenance and upkeep of the site and buildings, manage building/repair works in liaison with the Commercial and Facilities Manager and keep appropriate logs, records and reports.
What We're Looking For
- Good literacy and numeracy skills (GCSE and above or equivalent).
- Experience and working knowledge in gardening.
- Proven record in carrying out general maintenance tasks to the required standard.
- Working knowledge of the application of Health and Safety legislation regarding general maintenance areas and safe systems of work, or willingness to undertake required training courses.
- Computer literate and comfortable using Microsoft Office 365 applications.
What's in It for You
- Attractive salary and pension.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Free one-to-one wellbeing support.
- Family-friendly policies.
- On-site parking facilities and cycle storage.
- Free access to the school's gym.
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
- Discounted gift cards via Voucher Store.
- Techscheme: save money on the latest tech from Apple and Currys PC World.
- A comprehensive range of staff social events throughout the year.
- The dining centre and Pit Stop Café are open between 8:00 am and 1:30 pm every day.
- Support to complete further academic study and professional qualifications.
- A wide range of statutory benefits including sick pay, maternity, parental.
Gardener and Site Team Operative in Cheltenham employer: TipTopJob
As Gloucestershire's largest comprehensive school, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our staff. With generous annual leave, free wellbeing support, and opportunities for professional development, we ensure that our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Our commitment to maintaining a vibrant and welcoming school grounds reflects our dedication to creating a positive atmosphere for our team and the community we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Gardener and Site Team Operative in Cheltenham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research its values and mission. When you walk in for your interview, show that you understand what they stand for and how you can contribute to their goals. It’ll make you stand out as a candidate who’s genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Bring your gardening A-game! Prepare to discuss your previous experience and any specific projects you've worked on. Maybe even share some ideas for seasonal planting schemes that could enhance the school's grounds. This shows initiative and creativity!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget about the practical side! Be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of health and safety regulations in gardening and maintenance. They’ll want to know you can keep things safe and tidy while getting the job done.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in our school community. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Gardener and Site Team Operative in Cheltenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gardening:When you're writing your application, let 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 Application:Make sure to customise your application to match the job description. Highlight your relevant experience in gardening and maintenance, and how it aligns with the school's goals. We want to see how you can contribute to our vibrant school community!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end!
How to prepare for a job interview at TipTopJob
✨Know Your Gardening Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your gardening knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with different plants, seasonal planting schemes, and maintenance tasks. Showing that you understand the specific needs of the school's grounds will impress the interviewers.
✨Safety First!
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations related to gardening and maintenance. Be prepared to talk about how you ensure safety while working, especially when responding to emergencies or managing repairs. This shows that you take responsibility seriously.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a Gardener and Site Team Operative, you'll be part of a team. Highlight any previous experience working collaboratively, whether it's with other gardeners or in a school environment. Emphasising your ability to support the Commercial and Facilities Manager will demonstrate your commitment to the school's objectives.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the school's gardening goals, upcoming projects, or how they measure success in maintaining the grounds. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
