Head Gardener: Historic Grounds & Estates

Bath Spa University; Bath; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Hybrid working

On-site nursery

External staff benefits

Job summary

Bath Spa University in Bath, Somerset, is seeking a Lead Gardener based at Newton Park to lead the grounds team in seasonal maintenance, manage tasks across borders, woodland areas and parkland, and operate a range of horticultural machinery.

The role requires supervising gardeners and placement students, ensuring health and safety, maintaining records, and working outdoors in all weather. Salary Grade 4 ranges from £26,707 to £28,778 per annum with opportunities for progression.

Qualifications

• RHS Level 2, HND, NVQ or BTEC level 3 or similar, or working towards it.
• Demonstrate experience in a varied gardening role, preferably historic garden.
• Demonstrate plan identification skills.
• Able to work on your own initiative as well as a flexible team member, taking the lead when required.
• Previous experience of using horticultural machinery.
• Be prepared for manual handing tasks, work outside in all weather conditions, work at height when required.
• Hold a full manual UK driving licence

Responsibilities

• Assist with the supervision of gardeners and placement students, and liaise with contractors in the routine maintenance of the grounds and gardens.
• Seasonal care of shrub and herbaceous borders, including pruning as required.
• Ground preparation for planting trees, hedges and borders.
• Routine mowing, edging and lawn care including seasonal renovation tasks.
• Maintenance and renovation of sports pitches where applicable.
• Undertake supplementary pesticide application records and inventories.
• Routine checks and basic maintenance to machinery, including updating records.
• Cleaning drives and pathways, litter picking, snow clearance and salt application

Skills

Plan identification skills

Independent working

Team leadership

Manual handling

Horticultural machinery experience

Education

RHS Level 2/HND/NVQ/BTEC Level 3 or equivalent

Tools

Hedge cutter

Strimmers

Lawn mowers

Tractors

Job description

Bath Spa University in Bath, Somerset, is seeking a Lead Gardener based at Newton Park to lead the grounds team in seasonal maintenance, manage tasks across borders, woodland areas and parkland, and operate a range of horticultural machinery.

The role requires supervising gardeners and placement students, ensuring health and safety, maintaining records, and working outdoors in all weather. Salary Grade 4 ranges from £26,707 to £28,778 per annum with opportunities for progression.