Gardener

ARU; Hinxton; On-site; GBP 1,240,000 - 1,791,000; Full time

Job summary

ARU in Hinxton, near Cambridge, seeks three full-time gardeners to support campus grounds maintenance to a high horticultural standard. Roles include pruning, planting, irrigation, weed control, litter collection and general grounds tasks.

You will work under the HO Grounds Maintenance & Horticulture and Grounds Supervisor, with health and safety policies in place. Temporary contracts up to 12 months; ASAP start; driving licence preferred.

Qualifications

• Practical use of hedge trimmers, strimmer's, mowers, and blowers.
• Previous experience of planting, pruning and lawn care.
• A demonstrable ability to establish and sustain good working relationship within a team environment and or have the ability and initiative to work alone.
• Aptitude to communicate effectively with colleagues and members of the public.
• Hold a valid driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Undertake a full range of grounds maintenance and gardening duties, as instructed by the management team.
• Take instruction and conduct work to a high standard, demonstrating an ability to work with diligence.
• Perform formative and regenerative pruning and trees and shrubs.
• Plant and manage annual bedding - including irrigation.
• Conduct pest and disease control using integrated pest management techniques - this also includes treating weeds, moss, and algae.
• Cut, strim and edge grassed areas.
• Manage bank and roof vegetation.
• Blow and jet wash hard surfaces.
• Cut hedges.
• Conduct general grounds management tasks - including, litter picking, gritting, and clearing snow.
• Ensure that all tasks are conducted in line with Campus health and safety policy and risk assessments.
• Report any external, site defects to your line manager.
• Conduct basic maintenance to equipment in your charge and report any major faults to your line manager.

Skills

Hedge trimming

Lawn care

Equipment operation

Team player

Tools

Mowers

Blowers

Strimmer

Job description

Gardeners Wanted - Cambridge

Pay rate: £#removed# per hour (dependant on experience)

Location: Hinxton CB10 1SA

Hours: 3 x full time (35 hours per week) positions available

Term: Temporary work - 2 x up to 12 months and 1 x 2 weeks

Start date: ASAP

Application deadline: Tuesday 25th August 2026

Our client hosts a growing community of life science businesses as a global centre based just 9 miles south of Cambridge. Plans are underway to grow the area and this includes work on the land to bring green areas in to immaculate order.

The role

The Gardeners will support the HO Grounds Maintenance & Horticulture (HOGM&H) and the Grounds Supervisor and ensure that the grounds are maintained to a high horticultural standard. You will also support the HO Grounds Maintenance & Horticulture and the Grounds Supervisor. These roles are integral to the ongoing development and improvement of the Campus, in line with the agreed business strategy. Duties include:

• Undertake a full range of grounds maintenance and gardening duties, as instructed by the management team.
• Take instruction and conduct work to a high standard, demonstrating an ability to work with diligence.
• Perform formative and regenerative pruning and trees and shrubs.
• Plant and manage annual bedding - including irrigation.
• Conduct pest and disease control using integrated pest management techniques - this also includes treating weeds, moss, and algae.
• Cut, strim and edge grassed areas.
• Manage bank and roof vegetation.
• Blow and jet wash hard surfaces.
• Cut hedges.
• Conduct general grounds management tasks - including, litter picking, gritting, and clearing snow.
• Ensure that all tasks are conducted in line with Campus health and safety policy and risk assessments.
• Report any external, site defects to your line manager.
• Conduct basic maintenance to equipment in your charge and report any major faults to your line manager.

Person spec

ESSENTIAL

• Practical use of hedge trimmers, strimmer's, mowers, and blowers
• Previous experience of planting, pruning and lawn care
• A demonstrable ability to establish and sustain good working relationship within a team environment and or have the ability and initiative to work alone.
• Aptitude to communicate effectively with colleagues and members of the public.
• Hold a valid driving licence.

DESIRABLE

• Previous experience gardening in a corporate and/or local authority grounds maintenance role
• City and Guilds/NVQ Horticulture stage I and II or equivalent
• RHS general horticulture or equivalent
• PA1 and PA6 qualification in pesticide spraying
• Ability to use a trailer.