Gardener (Part Time) - Boon Lay

GAIN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

GAIN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PTE. LTD. seeks a dedicated horticulture assistant to maintain the school’s green spaces and hydroponics setups. You will prune, water, fertilise, and manage pests while supporting student activities in environmental clubs and project work.

You will work with teachers to oversee urban farming initiatives, including library planters and grow towers, and ensure systems run smoothly for the school community.

Qualifications

• Experience in horticultural/gardening services, preferably in a school setting.
• Ability to support environmental education activities and student engagement.
• Familiarity with organic pest control and safe chemical handling.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day care and maintenance of the school’s green spaces and urban farming facilities.
• Prune, stake, fertilise and manage pests to keep planters and hydroponics healthy.
• Regularly inspect green spaces and carry out minor repairs; advise teachers on needed attention.
• Monitor plant health and address pest or fungal issues promptly.
• Carry out routine trimming, mulching, edging and weeding; maintain inventories of tools and materials.
• Assist CCA Environmental Club sessions with germination, transplanting and harvesting activities.
• Support Primary 4 project work on urban farming and hydroponics; prepare materials for lessons.
• Monitor and top up water and nutrients in the hydroponics system; ensure proper operation.
• Note: Ensure cleanliness and organized storage to prevent drainage blockages.

Skills

Trimming and pruning

Irrigation system management

Chemical and organic pest control

Soil management

Seed sowing and propagation

Hydroponic systems operation

Vegetable and fruit cultivation

Job description

Contract Period: From 1 January2027 to 31 December 2027 with an option to extend the Contract for a further period of 1 year.

Working hours

• Mondays to Fridays: 8:00am to 12:00pm
• Service not required on Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted public holidays

Scope of Services

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day care and maintenance of the school’s green spaces and urban farming facilities, including the library planter, urban grow towers, Eco garden and hydroponics system, including watering as required.
• Provide horticultural knowledge, input and advice on matters relating to the care and maintenance of the green spaces, including pruning, staking, fertilising and pest management.
• Regularly inspect the school’s green spaces and undertake minor repairs where required or advise the Teacher-in-Charge where further attention is required.
• Monitor and maintain the health and condition of plants within the school’s green spaces.
• Identify and address pest and fungal problems that may affect the health of plants, including the application of organic pesticides where appropriate.
• Carry out routine trimming, fertilising, mulching, edging and weeding of the green spaces.
• Conduct routine inventory checks and organise gardening and related equipment and stores.

Secondary Tasks and Responsibilities

A. CCA Support – Environmental Club

• Assist the CCA Teacher-in-Charge during sessions involving the germination, transplanting and harvesting of vegetables.
• Guide and support students during practical activities.
• Assist in preparing materials and equipment required for weekly CCA sessions.

B. Primary 4 Project Work – Urban Farming

• Assist the Project Work Teacher-in-Charge during sessions involving the germination, transplanting and harvesting of vegetables.
• Guide and support students during practical activities.
• Assist in preparing materials and equipment required for Project Work Environmental Education lessons.
• Monitor vegetables for pest infestation and apply organic pesticides where necessary.
• Maintain the cleanliness of the urban farm, including clearing excess soil to prevent blockage of the drainage system.
• Monitor the health of seedlings during germination and after transplanting by students.
• Assist with sowing new batches of seeds or topping up the grow towers with seedlings where the original batches are insufficient.

C. Primary 5 Project Work - Hydroponics

• Assist the Project Work Teacher-in-Charge during sessions involving the germination, transplanting and harvesting of vegetables.
• Assist in preparing materials and equipment required for Project Work Environmental Education lessons.
• Monitor the germination progress of seeds sown by the various classes.
• Assist with sowing new batches of seeds where the original germination is unsuccessful.
• Top up water and nutrients and check the hydroponics system regularly to ensure that it is functioning properly.
• Inspect plants for pest or fungal infestation and carry out appropriate treatment.
• Place ice packs in the hydroponics system regularly, as required, to maintain an appropriate system temperature.

Skills and experience

Knowledge and Skills in

• Trimming, pruning and basic tree and plant maintenance;
• Irrigation and irrigation system management;
• Application and safe handling of chemical and organic herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers;
• Soil management and related horticultural activities;
• Sowing, cultivation and propagation of plants, trees and shrubs;
• Cultivation and maintenance of fruit and vegetable plants; and
• Operation and basic troubleshooting of hydroponic systems.

Preferred Experience

• Prior experience in providing horticultural, gardening or urban farming services in a school environment; and/or
• Prior experience working with or supporting children in an educational or learning environment.