Gardener and Site Team Operative (Weekend work)

An established single academy trust with a PAN of 300 is seeking a Gardener and Site Team Operative to support the school’s gardening and landscaping work, focusing on keeping the grounds maintained to a high standard throughout the year.  They have a wide catchment, over 200 staff and over 1,800 students. That means they have the resources to provide a wealth of opportunities: a sports centre and 3G sports pitches; a fully equipped drama studio, a dance studio, a large library, modern spacious English and Maths blocks, 12 science labs and specialist design, technology, computing and media rooms. The highly successful sixth formers have their own large base within the school too.
You will be working two shifts each week, typically on Friday and Saturday. There may be some flexibility to work a different weekday instead of Friday, alongside the Saturday shift. This is an all year round role.
As the Gardener and Site Team Operative you will:
- Support the Commercial and Facilities Manager in leading all associated activities in order to best support the school in achieving its strategic objectives.
- Be responsible for the maintenance and presentation of the school’s smaller flower beds, planters and front-of school entrance areas to create a welcoming environment for pupils, staff and visitors.
- During the growing season (typically Mar to Oct), carrying out regular weeding, edging, deadheading, pruning and general tidying of all designated planted areas to maintain a consistently high standard.
- Plan and implement seasonal planting schemes for flower beds and entrance displays, working within agreed budget parameters.
- Maintain healthy plant stock through appropriate watering, feeding and treatment for pests and disease, accordance with COSHH regulations and the school’s health and safety policies, ensuring safe storage and disposal of all horticultural chemicals.
- Liaise with and supervise external grounds maintenance contractors when they are working on school site.
- Maintain pathways, entrance areas and immediately adjacent hard surfaces in a clean and tidy condition, including sweeping, removing leaf fall, clearing moss and algae from paved areas.
- Carry out regular trimming and shaping of hedges, shrubs and ornamental trees within the designated areas, ensuring that growth does not obstruct signage, lighting, CCTV cameras, sightlines or pedestrian access routes.
- Proactively identifying opportunities to improve the visual amenity of the school’s front of house areas; including new planting, landscaping improvements or changes to seasonal displays that would enhance the school’s appearance and kerb appeal.
We are looking for a Gardener and Site Team Operative with:
- Good literacy and numeracy skills (GCSE and above or equivalent)
- Experience and working knowledge in gardening
- Experienced and proven record in carrying out general maintenance tasks to the required standard.
- Working knowledge of the application of Health and Safety legislation regarding general maintenance areas and safe systems of work or willing to undertake trainings courses that are required for the post.
- Computer literate and comfortable using Microsoft Office365 applications
You will receive induction training on your first day, providing all of the information you’ll need
for a successful start, including:
- Leadership Structure
- Communication and meeting systems
- Induction procedures, performance
- management and professional development
- IT equipment
- Health and Safety
- Safeguarding
- Key policies
Your line manager or mentor will meet with you regularly to ensure you have the support you need.
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