Soft Landscaper / Landscape Operative (AWDO-P15229) in Polegate)

AWD online; Polegate; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

AWD online in Polegate, East Sussex, is seeking a Soft Landscaper / Landscape Operative to join a skilled team on commercial, construction and infrastructure projects. You will plant, turf and establish landscapes to drawings, while ensuring safe, high-quality delivery on site.

Essential qualifications include RHS Level 2 or above and a valid CSCS card, with experience in soil prep, planting, turfing and plant establishment. The role is full-time and site-based in Polegate.

Qualifications

• Essential: RHS horticultural qualification (Level 2+), or equivalent
• Essential: Valid CSCS Green Labourer Card or higher
• Essential: Strong practical horticultural knowledge, including plant identification and planting techniques
• Essential: Experience in commercial soft landscaping, landscape construction or grounds maintenance
• Essential: Knowledge of soil preparation, planting, turfing, seeding, watering and establishment requirements
• Essential: Ability to read planting plans and follow landscape specifications
• Essential: Understanding of health, safety and environmental requirements
• Essential: Ability to carry out physically demanding outdoor work in varying weather
• Essential: Full UK driving licence and ability to work independently or in a team
• Essential: Good communication and pride in high-quality work

Responsibilities

• Plant trees, shrubs, hedging and other soft landscape material to required standard
• Prepare soils and improve planting areas using appropriate methods
• Lay turf and carry out grass seeding and final preparation
• Apply mulch, compost, fertiliser and soil conditioners per specifications
• Water, establish, prune, weed and maintain plants
• Read and work from landscape drawings and specifications
• Check plant quality, spacing and finished levels
• Safely use hand and motorised tools and equipment
• Maintain site presentation, hygiene and RAMS compliance
• Report defects, plant quality concerns and site constraints promptly

Skills

RHS horticultural qualification

CSCS card

horticultural knowledge

landscape experience

soil preparation

planting and turfing

read landscape plans

health and safety

outdoor work

driving licence

communication

Education

RHS Level 2 or above

Tools

Excavator ticket

Telehandler ticket

Dumper ticket

Job description

Soft Landscaper / Landscape Operative

Join a skilled landscaping team delivering high-quality planting, turfing and landscape establishment across commercial, construction and infrastructure projects. Strong practical horticultural knowledge, relevant experience and a valid CSCS card are essential.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: Soft Landscaping Operative, Landscaping Operative, Landscape Gardener, Horticultural Operative, Horticulturist, Commercial Landscaper, Grounds Maintenance Operative, Grounds Maintenance Landscaper

SALARY: £125 to £150 per Day (depending on experience)

LOCATION: Polegate, East Sussex

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent

JOB OVERVIEW

An excellent opportunity is available to bring strong horticultural skills to varied, high-quality landscaping projects. The Soft Landscaper / Landscape Operative will help create and establish planted areas to drawings and specifications.

Across commercial, construction and infrastructure sites, the Soft Landscaper / Landscape Operative will combine careful planting and soil preparation with safe use of tools and equipment, maintaining quality and site presentation.

The Soft Landscaper / Landscape Operative will work independently and with the site team, reporting defects, plant-quality concerns and site constraints promptly while supporting safe, environmentally responsible delivery.

DUTIES

Your duties as the Soft Landscaper / Landscape Operative include:

• Planting and Establishment: Plant trees, shrubs, hedging, whips, herbaceous plants and other soft landscape material to the required standard
• Soil Preparation: Cultivate, grade and improve soils and planting areas using appropriate amelioration and soil-improvement methods
• Turfing and Seeding: Lay turf, undertake grass seeding and complete final preparation of landscaped areas
• Soil Treatments: Apply mulch, compost, fertiliser and soil conditioners in accordance with specifications
• Plant Care: Complete watering, establishment maintenance, pruning, formative pruning, weeding and general plant care
• Plans and Specifications: Read and work accurately from landscape drawings, planting plans, schedules and specifications
• Quality Checks: Check plant quality, planting depth, spacing, finished levels, staking, tying and protection measures
• Tools and Equipment: Use hand tools, power tools and landscaping equipment safely and correctly
• Site Standards: Maintain high standards of workmanship, productivity, housekeeping and site presentation
• Health, Safety and Environment: Follow approved RAMS, site rules, environmental controls and health and safety requirements
• Reporting: Raise damaged plants, defects, specification issues and site constraints promptly with the Site Supervisor

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL

• A recognised RHS horticultural qualification, preferably RHS Level 2 or above, or an equivalent recognised horticultural qualification
• Valid CSCS Green Labourer Card or a higher relevant CSCS card
• Strong practical horticultural knowledge, including plant identification and correct planting techniques
• Previous practical experience in commercial soft landscaping, landscape construction or grounds maintenance
• Good knowledge of soil preparation, planting, turfing, seeding, watering and plant-establishment requirements
• Ability to read planting plans and follow landscape specifications accurately
• Sound understanding of workplace health, safety and environmental requirements
• Ability to carry out physically demanding outdoor work in varying weather conditions
• Reliable and punctual, with the ability to work independently and as part of a site team
• Full UK driving licence
• Practical, proactive and solution-focused approach with good communication and pride in high-quality work

DESIRABLE

• PA1 and PA6 pesticide application qualifications
• Relevant plant or machinery tickets, including excavator, dumper or telehandler
• Emergency First Aid at Work
• Manual Handling and CAT & Genny training
• Experience working on highways, construction sites or large commercial landscaping projects
• Experience supervising or supporting a small landscaping team

JOB REF: AWDO-P15229