At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain beautiful gardens and landscapes at the iconic Palace of Westminster.
- Company: Join a prestigious team providing horticultural services in a historic setting.
- Benefits: Earn up to £18.83 per hour with permanent contract potential and flexible hours.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of exciting events and make a real difference in a stunning environment.
- Qualifications: Horticultural qualification and experience working with diverse stakeholders required.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 39000 £ per year.
Full Time Location: The Palace of Westminster, Houses of Parliament, London
Hourly Rate: Up to GBP18.83 per hour
Contract type: Permanent if all goes well
Working hours: 3 days (24hrs) working within The Palace of Westminster. 2 days as a skilled gardener on a separate site around the same location, if full-time hours required: 40hrs
About The Role
Our client currently provides horticultural and landscaping services for the Palace of Westminster Estate. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and experienced horticulturalist to get involved with the preparations around events like the State Opening of Parliament. There may at times be requests coming from multiple stakeholders (the Speaker’s Office, the Ceremonial Works Office, or the Service Delivery Manager) all at once that will be reactive and the candidate will be required to support the Head Gardener in managing these complex pressures.
Responsibilities
- Regular site inspection
- Clearance of litter, debris and detritus
- Grass cutting, edging and cultural operations
- Weeding, pruning and dead-heading of planted areas, including containers
- Re-mulching / top-dressing planted areas and hedge bases
- Hedge cutting and maintenance
- Pleaching trees
- Hard surface weed control
- Hard surface cleansing, including sweeping and pressure washing
- Maintenance of gravel areas
- Leaf clearing: all areas
- Green roof maintenance
- Irrigation generally
- Maintenance of internal plants, including trees at PCH
In addition, you may be asked to support in the delivery of ad-hoc works, such as:
- Re-instatement of lawn areas following events
- Emergency tree work
- Replacement planting
- Improvements to the green roof
- Site improvement work
Requirements
- You will be required to possess the stipulated level of security vetting. We would ask that any successful applicant proactively engages with this vetting process as soon as an offer has been made, since it can take several weeks for the process to run its course.
- A requirement of the vetting procedure is to supply HMRC evidence of the previous 3 years employment.
- Demonstratable high-horticultural skills and knowledge, backed up by a formal Horticultural qualification (equiv. L2 NVQ/RHS Hort).
- Demonstratable experience on working with multiple stakeholders within the field of horticulture/landscaping.
- Awareness of equality and diversity, health and safety and safeguarding.
- Excellent people skills including team working, problem solving and the ability to be calm and decisive in challenging situations.
- A flexible approach to work.
- Harness Training would be desirable.
Skilled Grounds Maintenance Operative employer: TipTopJob
Working as a Skilled Grounds Maintenance Operative at the Palace of Westminster offers a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the UK's most iconic landmarks. With a focus on employee growth and a supportive work culture, you will be part of a dedicated team that values excellence in horticulture while engaging with various stakeholders. Enjoy competitive pay, a permanent contract, and the chance to work in a historic environment that hosts significant national events.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Skilled Grounds Maintenance Operative
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Palace of Westminster and its horticultural needs. Research the types of plants and maintenance practices used there, so you can chat confidently about them during your interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees if you can. They might share insider tips on what the hiring team values most, helping us tailor our approach when we apply.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions by thinking of examples from your past work. Show how you've handled multiple stakeholders or challenging situations, as this role will require that kind of experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you're serious about joining the team at the Palace of Westminster.
We think you need these skills to ace Skilled Grounds Maintenance Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your horticultural qualifications and experience in your application. We want to see how your skills match up with what we're looking for, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your application for this role. Mention specific experiences that relate to the responsibilities listed, like managing multiple stakeholders or working under pressure. It’ll make you stand out!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you the best fit for the Skilled Grounds Maintenance Operative position.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures it gets to the right people quickly.
How to prepare for a job interview at TipTopJob
✨Know Your Horticulture
Brush up on your horticultural knowledge and skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used in past roles, like pruning or mulching, and how they relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Experience
Since the role involves working with multiple stakeholders, prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different teams or clients in previous jobs. Highlight your communication skills and how you managed any challenges that arose.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Think of scenarios where you've had to solve problems under pressure, especially in a gardening or landscaping context. Be ready to share these experiences, as they will show your ability to remain calm and decisive when faced with challenges.
✨Be Ready for Security Vetting Questions
Since security vetting is a requirement, be prepared to discuss your employment history and provide HMRC evidence. It’s a good idea to have this documentation ready to show your proactive approach and understanding of the process.
