Gardener

Bath Spa University; Bath; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Pension scheme

Enhanced paid leave

Employee assistance programme

Transport schemes

Staff discounts

Job summary

Bath Spa University is seeking a Gardener based at the Newton Park campus. You will join the grounds team, performing seasonal maintenance, planting, and upkeep of trees and hedges while operating garden machinery and ensuring safety standards.

The role is physically demanding, outdoors in all weather, with training provided on machinery use and herbicide safety. A UK driving licence is required.

Qualifications

• Experience in amenity horticulture or grounds maintenance.
• RHS Level 1 or equivalent qualification.
• Full UK manual driving licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Carry out routine seasonal garden and estate maintenance.
• Operate a range of garden machinery and perform basic maintenance.
• Maintain borders, lawns, trees and hedges and support renovations to pitches and sports areas.

Skills

Amenity horticulture experience

Physical fitness

Full UK manual driving licence

Education

RHS Level 1 / BTEC First Diploma or similar

Tools

Garden machinery operation

Hedge cutters

Strimmers

Lawn mowers

Tractors

Job description

Compensation: Grade 3 - Starting from £25,949 rising to £26,615 per annum

Application Deadline: 25 October 2026

Department: Estates & Services

Location: Bath, Somerset - Newton Park

Compensation: Grade 3 - Starting from £25,949 rising to £26,615 per annum

Description

We are currently seeking a Gardener, who will be based at our historic Newton Park campus. Working as part of the grounds team you will be carrying out routine seasonal garden and estate maintenance, including a wide range of machinery use as well as hands on weeding, working in the borders, woodland areas and parkland.

About the Role

We are looking for a motivated and practical individual to support the day-to-day maintenance of our grounds and gardens across the campus. The role will include seasonal care of shrubs and herbaceous perennials, lawn and wildflower area maintenance, planting and upkeep of trees and hedges, and assisting with renovation work to lawns and sports pitches.

You will also operate a range of garden machinery, carry out routine equipment checks and basic maintenance, assist with path and driveway maintenance, snow and ice clearance, and general groundskeeping duties. Appropriate training will be provided for machinery and pesticide use. You will be expected to maintain accurate records where required and always work in line with the University’s Health and Safety policies.

The role is physically demanding of all team members, tasks include lifting heavy objects and being outside all day in all weathers and work at height.

About You

• RHS Level 1, BTEC First Diploma, or similar.
• Experience in amenity horticulture or grounds maintenance work.
• A full UK manual driving licence is required.
• Previous experience in a historic garden.
• Some plant identification skills.
• Experience of horticultural machinery

For further information on the essential and desirable skills we’re looking for, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Additional Information

Salary Grade 3 - Starting from £25,949 rising to £26,615 per annum

The salary range shows the potential maximum pay progression in addition to any annual inflationary increase to your pay. Please note that our default position is to appoint into the lower end of the range, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

• The postholder will be required to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• This is a hands on role and heavy lifting will be required frequently. You must be physically fit to undertake the role.
• Work at height from ladders and mobile elevated work platforms.
• The postholder will be required to use machines, eg hedge cutters, strimmer's, lawn mowers, tractors and a road sweeper.
• The postholder will be required to drive estate vehicles on and off campus and must hold a current full UK manual driving license.

This is an onsite role, with occasional work at our other campus sites

Please note that as of April 2024, there has been a change in the UK’s sponsorship threshold. Regrettably as the salary for this role falls beneath this, you will not be eligible for sponsorship therefore your application will automatically be rejected.

Staff Benefits

We offer a wide range of great benefits at BSU, including

• Generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme/Teacher's Pension Scheme). This is a defined benefit pension scheme which pays members a secure income for life, post-retirement
• Enhanced paid leave - 41 - 46 days depending on the role (Full Time) - more details here: https://apphub.bathspa.ac.uk/StaffBenefits
• Family friendly policies including hybrid working, flexible work environment, on-site nursery, and a sector-leading enhanced maternity scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme which offers access to on-demand GP appointments, wellbeing support and advice, and access to counselling
• Transport schemes including Electric Vehicle Scheme and Cycle to Work
• Wide range of discounts and financial benefits, accessed through and easy-to-use app

For further details about all our staff benefits, have a look at our rewards page: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/work-at-bath-spa/rewards-and-benefits/

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.