Casual Gardener

North Northamptonshire Council; Kettering; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Benefits Scheme

Wellbeing support

Hybrid and flexible working

Job summary

North Northamptonshire Council is seeking a Grounds Maintenance operative to water newly planted trees and perform related arboricultural tasks across the North Northamptonshire area. You will work within the Arb Services team providing a range of horticultural duties to support council assets.

The role involves using pedestrian and ride-on equipment, maintaining site records, and performing routine equipment inspections.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths are required.
• Knowledge and practical use of grounds maintenance equipment.
• Ability to converse with members of the public in English.
• Capacity to undertake physical tasks including manual handling and walking long distances.

Responsibilities

• Watering trees and maintaining site visit records.
• Maintain tree stakes and protective caging; weed removal.
• Carry out grass cutting, hedge cutting, shrub pruning as required.
• Use pedestrian and ride-on equipment for horticultural tasks.
• Inspect and maintain equipment; complete vehicle checks as directed.

Skills

Physically fit

Public interaction

Full UK driving licence

Education

GCSE English & Maths

Tools

Grounds maintenance equipment

Job description

To undertake watering and maintenance of newly planted trees across the North Northamptonshire area within the Arb Services team. The range of duties will include tree watering, tree stake and cage maintenance, weeding and other horticultural tasks as required such as grass cutting, hedge cutting, shrub pruning, manual handling and other associated tasks. What will you be doing? Carrying out tree watering and maintaining records of site visits Undertaking maintenance work to tree stakes and protective caging as well as manual weed removal. Utilising pedestrian, ride on equipment and gardening tools for the provision of horticultural tasks which may include grass cutting, hedge cutting, shrub pruning, weed spraying and other associated tasks within the expected remit of Grounds Maintenance provision across Council owned land To work in all weather conditions providing service outcomes across the area of operation as directed To carry out all routine inspections of equipment prior to use and to ensure that equipment is clean, adequately greased, levels are topped up and maintained, stored and returned as directed To adhere to the requirements of the Fleet division carrying out all operational inspections to vehicles as directed.

We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups.

About us

Our Values and Behaviours Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery and are: Customer-focused Respectful Efficient Supportive Trustworthy Our key commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most.

Disability Confident Employer

We are proud to be a recognised Disability Confident Employer and is committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. Our Employment and Disability Service provides bespoke support to individuals facing barriers to employment, helping them work towards their goals to start, stay and succeed in employment. For further information please click here.

Armed Forces Community

The council obtained the Gold status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). Further information can be found at Jobs and careers | North Northamptonshire Council (northnorthants.gov.uk)

GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths Knowledge of general grounds maintenance application in either the commercial or public sector Practical knowledge in the use of grounds maintenance equipment The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken and written English is essential for the post. Capacity to undertake physical aspects of the role including manual handling, walking long distances, using pedestrian equipment and working in all weather conditions. Physically fit Ability to work as part of a team to deliver objectives and standards across Council assets. Full UK driving licence

Why choose us?

We offer a vibrant working environment with:

• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work-life balance.