Gardener (Public Sector)

VanRath; Kilkeel; On-site; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority client in Northern Ireland is seeking a Gardener for a 4-month assignment with potential extension. Responsibilities include maintaining public parks and landscaped areas, operating grounds machinery, and assisting in horticultural operations. The ideal candidate will have NVQ Level 1 in Horticulture or equivalent experience, a current driving license, and skills in using commercial grounds maintenance machinery. The remuneration is circa £26,340 plus pension and holiday pay.

Benefits

Pension

Holiday pay

Qualifications

• 12 months relevant experience with grounds maintenance machinery.
• Ability to operate various grounds machinery safely.
• Current driving licenses (categories B and C1+E) required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain public parks and open spaces through various horticultural tasks.
• Operate grounds machinery and ensure public safety.
• Assist higher graded gardeners with tasks and site preparation.

Skills

Horticultural operations

Operating grounds machinery

Driving skills (category B)

Attention to safety

Education

NVQ Level 1 Horticulture

Approved Machinery Operations Certificate

Certificate in Chemical Spraying and Handling

Tools

Strimmers

Ride on mowers

Leaf blowers

Hedge cutters

Job description

Gardener (Public Sector)

VANRATH are excited to be working closely to support with the role of a Gardener for a well established client within the local authority. This is initially a 4 month assignment, with possible extension.

Responsibilities

• Undertake work in public parks, playing fields, landscaped areas and similar open spaces, i.e. general maintenance of these areas eg grass cutting, hedge trimming, sweeping, hoeing, raking, edging, removal of litter and rubbish, constructional labouring work, erection and dismantling of sports and other equipment, cleaning eg buildings such as changing rooms and toilets
• Patrol and attendance activities, collection and issuing of fees and tickets and maintenance of orderly conduct by the public to ensure bylaws are complied with.
• Horticultural operations eg planting, pruning, seeding and turfing and grounds maintenance eg basic setting out and marking of sports areas, spiking, scarifying, top dressing and fertilising and maintenance of tennis courts.
• Assistance to higher graded gardeners in more skilled tasks, which includes planning seasonal works, assistance with propagation and nursery care of plants, site preparation and construction.
• Carry out driving duties as instructed by the Line Manager. Driving duties to include: driving and responsibility for allocated vehicles i.e. vehicle checks (eg oil and water checks), required routine maintenance and cleaning, transportation of goods, equipment and personnel, assisting in the loading and unloading of vehicles using mechanical aids where appropriate, completing of associated paperwork and familiarity in the use of telecommunications equipment in accordance with Road traffic legislation.
• Operate and control various grounds machinery and hand tools as allocated by Team Leader/Supervisor, ensuring staff and public safety is adhered to. Ensure machinery is not damaged or lost.

Ideal Candidate

• NVQ Level 1 Horticulture and a minimum of 12 months relevant experience to include the use of commercial grounds maintenance machinery. Examples: Strimmers, walk behind or ride on mowers, leaf blowers, hedge cutters and other hand tools.
• In lieu of qualification, a minimum of 2 years relevant experience to include the use of commercial grounds maintenance machinery. Examples: Strimmers, walk behind or ride on mowers, leaf blowers, hedge cutters and other hand tools.
• Current category B driving licence.
• Current category C1+E driving licence.
• Approved Machinery Operations Certificate.
• Certificate in Chemical Spraying and Handling (Pa1 and Pa6a).

Basic AccessNI clearance will be needed.

Remuneration

Circa £26,340 plus pension & holiday pay.

For further information on this vacancy, or any other Public Sector jobs in Newry or wider Northern Ireland, please apply via the link below or contact Chris Haddock.