Landscape Gardener

Purpose of Role

The role-holder will work within the Landscape Team and deliver a high standard of landscaping and woodlands maintenance across the University. The multi-disciplined Landscape Team consists of staff trained in hard and soft landscaping, forestry work and equipment and machinery operations/maintenance. There are currently 15 personnel in total including a Landscape Manager, 2 Landscape Supervisors and 1 Recycling & Waste Chargehand.

The role will include assisting with new projects which will have elements of hard and soft landscaping throughout them.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• To carry out landscape maintenance and landscape project works on the University campus and Hermiston House Garden. The tasks are normally delegated to the landscape staff through the Landscape Manager and Landscape Chargehands; however, the role-holder is also expected to use their initiative and problem solve during their working day whilst carrying out these landscape activities.
• The role may require the operation of vehicles including: - A variety of tractors ranging from 32 Horsepower (HP) to 108 HP and a variety of tractor mounted or towed equipment; Utility Task Vehicle’s (UTV’s); Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP); JCB 3CX & 8035 Excavators; Manitou forklift.
• Operation, minor repairs and servicing of Four stroke and Two stroke engine powered equipment, Battery powered equipment. For example: - Pedestrian Lawnmower, Strimmer/Brush cutter, Hedge trimmer, Backpack Blower.
• To assist in ensuring that all services delivered are provided on time and quality, and if required, assisting in any emergency repair work. The post holder should have experience of horticultural landscape and woodlands maintenance works.
• Assist in all landscape and woodland aspects of the reactive maintenance and alterations required on the Estate. The post holder is also expected to communicate regularly with their line management to provide updates on progress of general landscape and woodland maintenance works.
• To assist on a hands-on basis to ensure that the works allocated to the Landscape Maintenance Team are undertaken diligently, efficiently and in a safe manner.
• To assist the team in implementing the day-to-day operations of the grounds, workshops, equipment and vehicles and ensuring that all statutory regulations and/or University Policies in respect of Health and Safety are complied with by the Landscape Maintenance Team during their daily activities across the Estate.
• Keep up to date with developments in work practices, techniques, products and changes to legislation including amendments to approved codes of practice, and to assist and be part of the introduction of any appropriate measures to ensure compliance and delivery of best practice.

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Essential

• Experience of providing a high standard of garden and landscape maintenance.
• Full driving licence with trailer BE category.
• Certification in machinery and equipment use training such as NPORS, NPTC, LANTRA, PA1 & PA6, IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) etc.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the standards required by all current relevant Legislation and the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.
• Experience of working in a multi–skilled landscape maintenance team.
• Possess good interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a team environment.

Desirable

• Experience in hard landscaping.
• Experience in forestry and woodland management.
• Possess qualifications in RHS 2 or equivalent.
• Possess good problem solving skills and be able to use own initiative.