At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain beautiful gardens at the iconic Palace of Westminster and support event preparations.
- Company: Join Europe's largest grounds maintenance provider with a rich history and passionate team.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, 21 days annual leave, and wellness support.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for career development through training.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on the community and environment while developing your gardening skills.
- Qualifications: Formal horticultural qualification and experience in landscaping required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
Skilled Gardener Full Time or Part Time
Location: The Palace of Westminster Houses of Parliament / London
Hourly Rate: 16.81 per hour
Contract type: Temp-Perm
Working hours: 3 days (24 hrs) within The Palace of Westminster Houses of Parliament. 2 days as a skilled gardener on a separate site, if full-time hours required – 40 hrs.
About the role
Our client provides horticultural and landscaping services for the Palace of Westminster Estate. This role involves preparing for events such as the State Opening of Parliament. The candidate will support the Head Gardener in managing multiple stakeholder requests from the Speaker's Office, Ceremonial Works Office, or Service Delivery Manager, often in a reactive environment.
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
- Support in ad‑hoc works such as re‑instatement of lawn areas following events, emergency tree work, replacement planting, improvements to the green roof and site improvement work.
Requirements:
- Security vetting level as required; applicant should engage promptly after offer.
- Provide HMRC evidence of previous 3 years’ employment as part of vetting.
- Demonstrable high horticultural skills and knowledge backed by a formal horticultural qualification (equivalent to L2 NVQ/RHS Hort).
- Experience working with multiple stakeholders in horticulture/landscaping.
- Aware of equality and diversity, health and safety, and safeguarding.
- Excellent people skills: teamwork, problem‑solving, calm and decisive under pressure.
- Flexible approach to work.
- Front truck (Harness) training desirable.
What we offer:
- Career development through apprenticeship programmes and in‑house training academy.
- Collaborative team environment with a diverse, inclusive workplace.
- Meaningful impact on community and environment.
- Competitive benefits package prioritising wellbeing.
Benefits:
- Annual leave: 21 days plus bank holidays.
- Family‑friendly policies: enhanced maternity and shared parental leave.
- Wellbeing app support.
- Voluntary benefits: discounts on retail, holidays, gym memberships, etc.
- Financial wellbeing support resources.
- Recognition schemes: colleague of the month and annual awards.
- Volunteering policy: two days per year to support a chosen cause.
- Mental health support.
About our client:
Europe’s largest provider of grounds maintenance services and landscape creation. Over 3,000 passionate colleagues, history dating back to 1919, turnover of 250 million. We create, maintain, and manage landscapes across the UK.
Experienced Skilled Gardener. Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs employer: United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
Working as an Experienced Skilled Gardener at the Palace of Westminster offers a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the UK's most iconic locations while enjoying a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With a strong focus on employee development through apprenticeship programmes and in-house training, you will have the chance to enhance your horticultural skills and make a meaningful impact on the community and environment. The competitive benefits package prioritises wellbeing, including generous annual leave, family-friendly policies, and mental health support, making it an excellent employer for those seeking rewarding and fulfilling employment.
Contact Details:
United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Experienced Skilled Gardener. Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Palace of Westminster and its gardens! Research the history and current projects. This will help you stand out in interviews and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with other gardeners or horticulturalists in London. Join local gardening groups or online forums. You never know who might have insider info on job openings or tips for the application process!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for practical assessments! Brush up on your horticultural skills, like pruning and weeding. Being hands-on and showing your expertise can really impress during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Experienced Skilled Gardener. Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs
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 CV and cover letter for this role. Mention specific experiences that relate to managing multiple stakeholders or working under pressure, as these are key aspects of the job.
Be Personable:We value excellent people skills, so let your personality shine through in your written application. Share examples of teamwork and problem-solving to show us you’re a great fit for our collaborative environment.
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 get the ball rolling on your journey with us.
How to prepare for a job interview at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
✨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 weeding, and how they relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role involves working with multiple stakeholders, prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in previous jobs. Highlight your teamwork and problem-solving abilities, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions that test your practical gardening knowledge. Think about scenarios you might face at the Palace of Westminster and how you'd handle them, such as preparing for events or managing site inspections.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
The job requires a flexible approach, so be prepared to discuss how you've adapted to changing circumstances in your previous roles. Share examples of times when you had to pivot quickly to meet stakeholder needs or tackle unexpected challenges.
