At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in maintaining parks, golf courses, and open spaces while ensuring top-notch horticultural practices.
- Company: Join a dedicated public sector team focused on community green spaces.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, holiday pay, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Opportunity to supervise a team and develop leadership skills in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a difference in your community by enhancing local parks and recreational areas.
- Qualifications: 3 years in horticulture or grounds maintenance; must be physically fit and hold a UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 29456 - 29456 £ per year.
This is an initially 6 month assignment, with potential extension.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for the maintenance of Golf Courses, Cemeteries, Parks, Playing Fields, Landscaped areas and Open Spaces in accordance with Council Guidelines and standards.
- Coordinating horticultural operations such as planting trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and bulbs.
- Responsible for soil cultivation, site renovation, preparation and construction including fertilising, seeding, turfing and general labouring such as sweeping, hoeing, raking, edging, weeding and hedge‑cutting and trimming.
- Pruning operations to trees, shrubs and perennials as directed.
- Responsible for the safe, effective and appropriate use and maintenance of equipment such as self‑propelled walk‑behind and ride‑on grass cutting machinery, associated equipment and tools in line with Council Health and Safety Policies and Procedures.
- Responsible for the supervision of up to six other employees in horticultural practices, including safe use of chemical sprays and associated equipment.
- Driving large agricultural tractors and articulated vehicles such as vans and trailers as required.
- Responsible for accurate record keeping in line with Council Policies and Procedures (vehicle defect sheets, inventory allocations, chemical logs, driver declarations).
- Ensure work complies with current Health and Safety legislation and Council Policies and Procedures (PPE, Manual Handling, Lone Working).
Ideal Candidate
- 3 years of employment experience in horticulture and grounds maintenance in at least one of the following areas: Sports Pitch Maintenance (grass), Cemetery Maintenance, Golf course Maintenance, Horticultural Maintenance (Floral).
- Demonstrate a good understanding of Grounds Maintenance.
- Awareness of Health & Safety issues.
- Be physically fit and capable of carrying out a wide range of manual tasks across any company controlled site.
- Hold a full current UK driving licence and access to a car or have a means of transport which would enable the applicant to carry out the duties of the post.
- Basic AccessNI clearance will be needed.
Desirable Criteria
- Chemical Handling and Application certificates PA1 and PA6A.
- NPTC Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture or equivalent.
Remuneration
Circa £29,456 plus pension & holiday pay.
Chargehand - Park/Grounds Maintenance (Public Sector) in Dundonald employer: VANRATH
As a Chargehand in Park/Grounds Maintenance, you will join a dedicated team committed to enhancing our community's green spaces. Our organisation values employee growth and offers comprehensive training opportunities, ensuring you can develop your horticultural skills while working in a supportive and collaborative environment. With competitive remuneration, pension benefits, and a focus on health and safety, we provide a fulfilling workplace where your contributions directly impact the beauty and sustainability of our parks and open spaces.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chargehand - Park/Grounds Maintenance (Public Sector) in Dundonald
✨Get Hands-On in Local Gardens
Dive into volunteer work at local gardens or community farms. This not only gives you practical experience but also helps you build connections in the horticulture community. You'd be surprised at how many temporary roles pop up through local networks!
✨Visit Local Plant Shows or Horticultural Events
Check out seasonal plant shows or horticultural fairs in your area. These events are fantastic for networking and learning about temporary positions that may not be advertised online. Chat with vendors and attendees — you never know who might know of a gig at places like VANRATH!
✨Tap into the Agriculture Community
Join online forums or social media groups dedicated to horticulture. Engaging in discussions or asking about temp roles can lead to insider tips and opportunities. Plus, it showcases your passion for the field, which is always a bonus!
✨Make Your Intentions Clear on Your CV
In your CV, highlight your availability for temporary positions and any hands-on experience you have. Tailor your approach to companies like VANRATH, making sure they know you're keen and ready to jump in as soon as they need someone. And don't forget to apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Chargehand - Park/Grounds Maintenance (Public Sector) in Dundonald
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Horticultural Knowledge:Make sure to showcase any relevant horticulture experience you have. Mention specific plants, gardening techniques, or landscaping projects you've worked on. If you have any certificates in horticulture or botany, include those too – they'll definitely catch our eye!
Show You're Flexible and Ready to Learn:Since this is a temporary role, we want to know you're adaptable and eager to soak up new experiences. In your cover letter, express your willingness to learn and take on different tasks that may come up. Share any previous temporary roles and what you gained from them!
Include Practical Experience:In horticulture, hands-on experience matters a lot. If you’ve volunteered at a community garden or helped maintain private gardens, mention these gigs! Tailor your CV to include any practical work that demonstrates your skills in plant care, garden layout design, or pest management.
Use Clear, Concise Language:When applying for a temporary role, keep your application straightforward. Avoid jargon and focus on the essential skills you bring to the table. We want to understand your experience quickly, so make every word count. Remember, we love clear communication at VANRATH!
How to prepare for a job interview at VANRATH
✨Get to Grips with Plant Knowledge
In the world of horticulture, having a solid grasp of plant types, care techniques, and pest management is essential. Brush up on your understanding of the plants relevant to VANRATH—it might just impress them if you can chat about local species or seasonal challenges!
✨Show Off Your Practical Skills
Since you’re applying for a temporary role, they’ll want to see that you’re ready to hit the ground running. Be prepared to discuss any hands-on experience you have with gardening tools, techniques, and maintenance tasks. If you've got a portfolio of your gardening projects or any past experiences, don't hesitate to share!
✨Prepare for Team Dynamics
Much of horticulture works in teams, especially during busy seasons. Anticipate questions about your experience working collaboratively. Think of examples of how you’ve contributed to team efforts in past gardening projects or seasonal work—showing your team spirit is key!
✨Express Your Flexibility and Learning Mindset
Given that this is a temporary position, make sure you convey your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly. Employers like VANRATH will appreciate your willingness to tackle various tasks, from planting to weeding, and how you can fit in wherever needed!
