Gardener

Gardener

Parks Department, South Lodge, South Parks Road, Oxford

Join Oxford University Parks Team to Nurture our Green Legacy!

Are you passionate about horticulture and eager to cultivate your career in one of the most prestigious universities in the world? Oxford University is seeking a dedicated Gardener to join our University Parks Team. This is a unique opportunity to work within the lush, historic landscapes of Oxford, contributing to the care and maintenance of the University's green spaces, including the grounds surrounding all departmental buildings.

About the Role:

As a Gardener at Oxford University, you will play a crucial role in maintaining the beauty and health of our green functional estate. Reporting to the Parks management team, you will be engaged in a variety of practical horticultural activities, working both independently and as part of a collaborative team. Your responsibilities will include:

General grounds maintenance, including weed control, sweeping, litter removal, and clearance work.

Pruning shrubs, climbers, and small trees.

Planting, staking, tying, watering, and dead-heading new plants.

Caring for borders, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and seasonal bedding.

Turf maintenance using a range of equipment for mowing, spiking, top- dressing, overseeding, and more.

Hedge planting, pruning, and cutting.

Safe operation and routine maintenance of vehicles and machinery.

Participating in landscape and nursery work.

What We Offer

As an employer, we value the well-being and development of all our employees. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• 30 days of annual leave (excluding public holidays)

• Early closure on Fridays

• Extensive personal and professional development opportunities

• Supportive childcare services for working parents and guardians

• Generous family leave for pregnancy, adoption, paternity, and shared parental leave

• Excellent contributory pension scheme for your financial future

• Salary sacrifice scheme for additional savings

• Subsidised sports centre membership to promote well-being

• Cycle loan scheme to encourage sustainable commuting

• Discounted bus and transit travel

In addition, you will have access to a vibrant community with social groups and sports clubs, fostering an inclusive atmosphere.

What We're Looking For:

Essential Skills:

To thrive in this role, you should possess the following essential qualifications and skills:

A craft qualification in horticulture (e.g., NVQ, City & Guilds) or equivalent experience.

Demonstrable knowledge of horticultural practices.

Experience with a range of horticultural, landscape, and grounds care equipment.

Good plant knowledge.

A full, clean driving licence.

A flexible approach to work.

Desirable Skills:

Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence.

Towing licence.

CSCS skills card for the construction industry.

Pesticide certification.

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please submit the following documents as part of your online application:

• Covering letter/supporting statement

• Curriculum vitae (CV)

• Contact details of two referees (only contacted if you are successful)

Only applications received before 12 pm on Monday 5 August 2024 can be considered. However, the job advert may be closed earlier if we receive enough applications.

Apply now and nurture your future with Oxford University!

Contact Person : Adedeji Akinsanya Vacancy ID : 173563 Contact Phone : Closing Date & Time : 05-Aug-2024 12:00 Pay Scale : STANDARD GRADE 3 Contact Email : [email protected] Salary (£) : 23706 - 25138 per annum