Our client, a Further Education College specialising in land-based training, is looking to recruit a Gardener to undertake the necessary day-to-day duties maintaining and developing a comprehensive plant collection including pruning and cultural operations.

About the College

Capel Manor College based in Greater London, is a Centre of Vocational Excellence for Horticulture, Landscaping and Garden Design, Floristry, Business Enterprise, Animal Care and Saddlery.

Description of duties

Reporting to the Senior Gardener, main duties and responsibilities:

• To undertake the necessary day-to-day duties maintaining and developing a comprehensive plant collection including pruning and cultural operations.
• To carry out double and single digging, forking, hoeing, mulching and fertilizing, mowing and strimming.
• To carry out day-to-day maintenance of fine turf areas including treatment for pests, diseases and weed control.
• To carry out pest and disease control on various plants and herbicide treatments of un-cropped and cropped land.
• The seasonal planting of trees, shrubs and bedding plants to a scale plan.
• To assist with transporting/collecting/delivering as directed, sundries, fuel and general items for the smooth functioning of the College estate.
• To assist with various land-based horticultural and environmental projects (soft and hard landscaping.
• To participate in regular weekend rotational duties at Capel Manor’s range of educational glass areas to include monitoring humidity, irrigation, heating ventilation etc. (on average this will involve working one weekend in six).
• During weekend duty to maintain security of plant collections and deal with enquiries from visitors as required.  To be contactable whilst on site by radio with main reception.
• To ensure that the highest standards achievable are maintained in the estate for the education of students and enjoyment of the visiting public.
• To assist the Senior Gardener with students and volunteers to gain work experience, knowledge and skills.
• To be responsible for ensuring that the health and safety of students and volunteers is maintained whilst assisting with practical work.
• Other gardening duties that may from time to time be required by the Senior Gardener or Director of estates and buildings.

Experience / Qualifications

Successful candidates will need the following:

• City & Guilds Phase II (Year 3) or equivalent in Amenity or Decorative Horticulture or NVQ Level II
• Completed a course of instruction leading to a National Proficiency Test Council of hand held operated sprayers (PA1 and PA6A) or willingness to undertake
• Sound plant knowledge
• Able to demonstrate a good range of horticultural practice
• Competent to use ride-on mowers and pedestrian mowers
• Clean Driving License
• Sound and proven practical gardening experience
• Proficient in ride-on mowing, tractor driving and the use of motorized hedge cutters and strimmers
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to work to deadlines and get the job completed ontime
• Good interpersonal skills
• Flexible approach to working hours

It is desirable for candidates to have the following:

• Chainsaw handling certificate
• Experience in the use of Hand Held Sprayers

Start Date: ASAP

Hours:

33 hours to be worked in the winter (1st October – 31st March)
Monday – Wednesday 8am to 4pm (1 hour for lunch)
Thursday and Friday 8am to 3pm (1 hour for lunch)

One duty person on Thursday and Friday 9am to 4pm (1 hour for lunch)

39 hours to be worked in the summer (1st April – 30th September)
Monday – Thursday 8am to 5pm (1 hour for lunch)
Friday 8am to 4pm (1 hour for lunch)

Closing date for applications: 14/12/09

This post is subject to enhanced disclosure.

It is anticipated that candidates who progress from the application stage will not be asked to attend the College for an interview until after Christmas. Therefore, if you do not hear from the College by the middle of January you may assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

To apply, in the first instance, please send a copy of your CV along with covering letter to: Richardl@r21media.co.uk