Gardener

Ad Warrior Ltd; Cirencester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35-hour week

30 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Free parking on campus

Discounted catering facilities

Onsite gym

Library services

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to work scheme

Staff development opportunities

Job summary

The Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester is seeking a Gardener to join the Estates Team. You will help maintain gardens and outdoor spaces, ensuring plants are watered, fed and pruned according to growth cycles and seasons.

This full-time, 35-hour per week role offers Grade 4 pay (£24,215 – £27,319 per annum) and flexible working options. The RAU provides a range of staff benefits including pension, parking, library services and employee assistance, with interviews in October.

Qualifications

• GCSEs or equivalent education.
• Experience in grounds maintenance and amenity horticulture.
• Skilled in using horticultural tools and machinery.
• Knowledge of tree and shrub maintenance.
• Physically fit with a hardworking, flexible approach.
• Able to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Work with the existing gardener to manage the gardens and outdoor spaces.
• Maintain lawns, borders, woodlands, paths, roads and signage.
• Operate grounds maintenance equipment and manage seasonal hazards.
• Water, feed, and prune plants in line with seasonal growth cycles.
• Support University events by preparing and maintaining grounds.
• Enhance the campus with new planting and biodiversity projects.
• Maintain accurate gardening and maintenance records.
• Work closely with the wider maintenance team.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Horticulture knowledge

Physical fitness

Teamwork

Independent work

Education

GCSEs or equivalent

Tools

Horticultural tools

Machinery operation

Job description

Gardener

Salary: Grade 4 – starting at £24,215 and progressing to £27,319 per annum.

Hours: Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week)

Location: Cirencester, GL7 6JS

Flexible working options considered

The Royal Agricultural University “RAU” has been at the forefront of agricultural education for over 180 years and is globally renowned for its links with industry and courses that are designed to meet the demands of the changing land-based sector.

The Gardener will collaborate with the Estates Team Leader on the maintenance, care, and management of gardens and outdoor spaces. An excellent knowledge of horticulture is essential to ensure that all plants are watered, fed, and pruned according to their growth cycles and seasons. This role requires sensitivity to the age and versatility of our estate to maintain the health and appearance of the gardens.

Key responsibilities:

• Work with the existing gardener to manage the gardens and outdoor spaces
• Maintain lawns, borders, woodlands, paths, roads, and signage
• Operate grounds maintenance equipment and manage seasonal hazards (leaves, snow, ice)
• Water, feed, and prune plants in line with seasonal growth cycles
• Support University events by preparing and maintaining grounds
• Enhance the campus with new planting and biodiversity projects
• Maintain accurate gardening and maintenance records
• Work closely with the wider maintenance team

What we are looking for:

• GCSEs or equivalent education
• Experience in grounds maintenance and amenity horticulture
• Skilled in using horticultural tools and machinery
• Knowledge of tree and shrub maintenance
• Physically fit with a hardworking, flexible approach
• Able to work independently and in a team

The RAU is set in beautiful surroundings and offers a range of Staff Benefits including a 35-hour working week, a generous 30 days annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time posts), pension scheme, free and guaranteed parking on campus and discounted catering facilities, free onsite gym, free library services, employee assistance programme, occupational health and counselling services, cycle to work scheme and staff development opportunities. Further details of the full range of staff benefits available can be found on our website.

Closing date: Sunday 18 October 2026

Interviews: Thursday 29 October 2026

The RAU is an equal opportunities employer and we particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the RAU at this level