At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain beautiful outdoor spaces and contribute to sustainability initiatives on campus.
- Company: Join the University of Salford's Landscape Services team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hands-on role with opportunities for growth and development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with varied tasks and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on campus aesthetics and student experience while working outdoors.
- Qualifications: Horticultural qualification or relevant experience; driving licence preferred.
The predicted salary is between 25522 - 31194 £ per year.
Gardener - Salford
Are you passionate about horticulture and take pride in creating attractive, well-maintained outdoor environments
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Gardenerto join our Landscape Services team within Estates & Facilities at the University of Salford.
Our Estates & Facilities team plays an important role in creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming, and high-quality campus environment for our students, colleagues, and visitors.
This is a hands on opportunity to contribute directly to the appearance, sustainability, and ongoing improvement of our University estate.
The role
Reporting to the Landscape Services Team Leader, you will undertake a broad range of grounds maintenance, horticultural and landscaping activities across the University estate.
No two days will necessarily be the same. Your work will include
- Grass cutting, hedge trimming, pruning, planting, weed control and general horticultural maintenance.
- Maintaining lawns, planting areas, borders, and public spaces to a high standard.
- Supporting new landscaping schemes, planting projects, biodiversity initiatives, and environmental improvements.
- Safely operating and maintaining grounds maintenance machinery, vehicles, powered tools, and equipment.
- Helping to maintain clean, safe, accessible, and welcoming external areas.
- Working alongside colleagues, other Estates & Facilities trades, contractors, and external organisations.
- Identifying and reporting defects, hazards and health and safety concerns.
- Supporting occasional operational, emergency, event and out-of-hours requirements.
About you
We are looking for someone who combines strong practical horticultural skills with a positive, flexible, and proactive approach.
You should have
- A recognised horticultural, landscaping, grounds maintenance or amenity horticulture qualification, such as NVQ Level 2, City & Guilds or RHS, or equivalent relevant experience.
- PA1 and PA6 Pesticide Application Certificates would be advantageous, although we will also consider candidates willing to obtain these.
- A full UK driving licenceand the ability to drive University vehicles as required.
- Relevant health and safety training and a commitment to maintaining mandatory training requirements.
- Practical experience of grounds maintenance, horticulture, landscaping or estate maintenance within a commercial, public sector, educational, local authority or similar environment.
- Experience maintaining landscaped areas including lawns, shrub beds, trees, hedges, borders, and public realm spaces.
- Experience safely using grounds maintenance machinery, powered tools, vehicles, ride-on equipment, or specialist equipment.
- The ability to undertake physically demanding outdoor work throughout the year and in varying weather conditions.
You will also need a good understanding of horticultural practices, safe working methods, risk assessments, manual handling and PPE, together with an awareness of environmental sustainability within a landscaped environment.
Just as importantly, you'll be someone who can use initiative, organise their own workload and work effectively with minimal supervision, while also being a strong team player.
You'll communicate positively with colleagues, students, visitors, contractors, and other stakeholders and be willing to adapt to changing operational and seasonal priorities.
This is an opportunity to bring your horticultural skills to a varied University estate and play a visible role in creating an attractive, safe, sustainable, and welcoming campus environment.
If you take pride in the quality of your work, enjoy working outdoors and want to be part of a team that makes a real difference to the everyday campus experience, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now and help us maintain and enhance an estate that our students, colleagues and visitors can be proud of.
Job Description
Gardener - Salford in Bolton employer: University of Salford
As a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at Salford, you will join a vibrant and supportive community dedicated to shaping the future of health professionals and social leaders. With competitive salaries, an impressive 32 days of leave, and a strong emphasis on professional development, Salford fosters a culture of flexibility and inclusivity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. The university's commitment to collaboration and diversity enhances the work environment, making it an exceptional place for meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Gardener - Salford in Bolton
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like University of Salford.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like University of Salford.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at University of Salford; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Gardener - Salford in Bolton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at University of Salford.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Gardener - Salford.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what University of Salford is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at University of Salford a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Salford
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at University of Salford might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
