Grounds Operative in Bristol

If you want an exciting role in grounds maintenance, then we may be able to offer you a challenging position here at UWE Bristol, with the opportunity to help create inspiring settings for our staff and students to work, live and study. We are committed to our objectives of delivering high quality green spaces combined with biodiversity enhancement across our three campuses. The grounds team are highly valued here at UWE. We have recently collected a DEFRA award for our work supporting pollinators, were Highly commended in the UK & Ireland Green Gown awards, and achieved Gold status as a Hedgehog friendly campus.

We expect a lot but will offer a great deal in return, starting with stimulating and challenging work and the opportunity to help us achieve our ambition of delivering a beautiful multifunctional and highly appreciated external environment. We will value your contribution, and we are flexible enough to recognise the importance of a good work-life balance, and are committed to your continued development in order for you to have the job you have always wanted.

About you

You will first and foremost be a passionate gardener with strong horticultural skills and wide plant knowledge. You will have demonstrated this commitment by completing some Horticultural training, such as an RHS course in horticulture. You will also possess the required competencies and experience in general grounds equipment operation e.g. tractor driving, ride-on lawnmower operation, trailer towing etc., as well as experience with a variety of hand-held grounds maintenance equipment.

We are looking for an exceptionally organised person who can demonstrate great attention to detail and also has a very high level of practical ability. You will be comfortable in self-auditing sites to assess the works required, prioritising jobs and communicating your needs and decisions clearly to your supervisor. You will ensure deadlines are met and seasonal tasks are completed at the best possible times.

You will also be able to put your own personality into certain areas of the campus, with the possibility of implementing your own designs and the opportunity to watch the plants you love thrive. A love of the environment, a drive to help increase biodiversity and a desire to operate in a sustainable manner would also help you to succeed in this role.

You will be happy to work flexibly across our campus locations covering a range of duties as well as gardening, such as general external cleaning, litter picking and sometimes even waste management duties. You will equally be happy talking with non-horticultural staff and student groups - encouraging wider participation with the external environment. You will need exceptional communications skills and must be comfortable assisting with horticultural demonstrations, practical gardening sessions and confident in sharing your knowledge.

You must love what you do, and if you do, we will provide you with an environment and the support to flourish. Your duties are exceptionally varied and we can guarantee you will never be bored working across our 150-acre site with many horticultural features. We want you to be able to pass your knowledge and most importantly your enthusiasm onto our existing team. We are looking for someone who has the confidence to inspire others with their love of horticulture.

Where is this role based?

This post is based at our lively Frenchay campus where we have invested in the latest facilities and resources to give both our staff and students access to everything they need to succeed. However, there will be a requirement to work at our other campuses when the need arises.

Why UWE Bristol?

We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in Bristol, one of the UK's most exciting and forward-thinking cities, we are regionally embedded and globally connected, with an established network of employer and academic partners.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.

Add your individuality to ours

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community. We are proud to be part of a vibrant, multicultural city that celebrates diversity, we are always looking for talented people from all backgrounds to join us. Our people are our strength, and diversity enhances our creativity and leads to better decision-making and problem-solving. Bring your talent and ambition to our growing community and find yourself in a stimulating and supportive environment where you'll thrive.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area of the organisation, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit. As a Disability Confident employer, we welcome applications from those who identify as having a disability.

Further information

This is a part-time, permanent post, working 20 hours per week. UWE Bristol is a campus-based University and it is vital to our success and the delivery of an outstanding experience for our students that our campuses are dynamic and vibrant places to learn and spend time. This role is hands-on and practical and is therefore campus based for all of your time.

To ensure fairness and equity all salary offers will be made in line with the University's salary assessment guidelines and will be based on your relevant skills and experience.

Right to Work in the UK

The University has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. You will therefore be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK, please refer to the Home Office Right to Work Checklist for information on which documents are acceptable. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this role under the Home Office Skilled Worker visa route. If you do not have current right to work in the UK you may wish to explore other visa options. Please note that UWE Bristol does not cover any visa or health surcharge costs.

Advice to applicants

We'd love to hear from you - if you are excited about this opportunity please complete our application form as soon as possible. Tell us how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of this role by describing how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the Job Description, and include specific examples wherever possible. Once we have completed shortlisting we will let you know the outcome of your application by email, so please check your inbox for updates.