Hospital Gardener (Grounds & Gardens) | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in England seeks a Grounds Maintenance Worker to join its Support Services Team. The role includes maintaining the hospital's grounds, operating various equipment, and assisting with waste management. Candidates should have gardening skills, the ability to operate machinery, and demonstrate teamwork abilities. The Trust offers comprehensive training and values diversity among its staff. The application deadline is 19 December 2025.

Benefits

Access to training and development programs

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Experience in gardening and grounds maintenance.
• Familiarity with operating various maintenance machinery.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and clear litter from the hospital grounds.
• Operate equipment for maintenance tasks.
• Assist with waste management when needed.
• Carry out seasonal gardening duties.

Skills

Gardening skills

Ability to operate machinery

Teamwork

Health and safety awareness

Tools

Pedestrian mowers

Hedge cutters

Trimmers

Gritting machinery

Pressure washer

Job description

The post holder will be a member of the hospital Support Services Team and will provide the maintenance and upkeep of all grounds and gardens within the Trust site under the direction of the Support Services Manager. Core duties will include maintaining and clearing litter from the hospital site, operating pedestrian mowers, all types of hedge cutters, shears and trimmers, salting and gritting machinery, vacuum, path‑clearing machinery, sweeping, and removal of litter. The role may also involve assisting the Waste Manager when necessary and undertaking training on a compactor as detailed in this job description.

Equipment and Machinery

• Pedestrian operated mowers
• All types of hedge cutters
• All types of shears and trimmers
• Salting and gritting machinery
• Vacuum and path‑clearing machinery
• Sweeping and removal of litter
• Assistance to Waste Manager when necessary
• Training on compactor

Responsibilities

1. Emptying of all public waste bins on site, and transporting and disposal of waste in designated disposal area.
2. Weekly visit to North Wing to tidy grounds and gardens.
3. Cleaning and pressure hosing of entrances, ornaments, storage, and gritting and waste bins when requested.
4. Assisting utility porters with the collection and disposal of general, clinical, and recycling waste.
5. Undertake gritting of all entrances and pathways in the event of cold weather.
6. The maintenance and upkeep of all grounds and gardens within the Trust site.
7. Carrying out a wide range of gardening and grounds cleaning duties depending on the season.
8. Working on own initiative when applicable or as part of a team; undertaking basic machinery maintenance.
9. Competent in the cultivation of land for growing flowers, plants, trees, hedgerows, and grass; diagnosing gardening or horticultural problems and the effects of the seasons.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high‑performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience – we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours that underpin our Trust’s core values. We achieve this by using values‑based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering the first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you are familiar with all requirements of the job.

This advert closes on Friday 19 Dec 2025.