Craft Gardener

Would you like to be part of something bigger and join us in our ambition to become the Best City, working together as a Team for Leeds. Do your values match ours and do you have something to offer?

Leeds City Council delivers over 500 different services to residents and is dedicated to bringing the benefits of a prosperous, vibrant and attractive city to the people of Leeds. This is a fantastic time to join us.

Benefits of working with us:

We pride ourselves on offering the best employee experience, with a genuine commitment to keeping our colleagues safe and well at work. You can expect great benefits whilst working for us including:

• a competitive pay progression structure including generous employer pension contributions
• flexible career paths with tailored personal and professional development
• support for you, your home and your family including personal, and financial support
• hybrid working arrangements (subject to needs of the role) and a flexitime system

This post is based Temple Newsam Estate .

Your role

You will require considerable practical horticultural experience, together with an NVQ2 or equivalent in Amenity Horticulture, although applicants who can demonstrate a significant period of work experience without formal qualifications will also be considered.

Work includes all aspects of horticultural maintenance, including lifting, digging, hard and soft landscaping, preparation of ground for the planting and establishment of plants, weed spraying, the laying, establishing and maintenance of turf, fencing, the construction and maintenance of landscape features and grass cutting using a ride-on mower . In addition the Craft Gardener will be responsible for helping with guidance and training of Gardeners and new Gardening Apprentices in horticultural methods and practices and in specific machinery use.

A full, clean driving licence is essential, to enable the post holder to travel independently to various sites as required to supervise and transport staff.

The post may be based at any point within the Leeds City boundaries.

You will have excellent communication skills and be a team player. You will be motivated and a critical thinker with the ability to understand the needs of your customers.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023.We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

Job Description

Job purpose

To undertake all aspects of horticultural maintenance within the Leeds City boundaries.

Responsibilities

To have the ability to carry out tasks, without direct supervision.

The supervision and training of staff, including seasonal staff, trainees, volunteers and work placements.

To undertake mentoring of gardening apprentices.

To prepare land for planting.

To undertake the planting and aftercare of annual, biennial and perennial plants.

To interpret and work on complex planting plans.

To repair and maintain ornamental and amenity turf areas.

To undertake basic soft and hard landscaping construction and aftercare.

To prepare sports areas, marking out and maintenance.

To undertake other manual labouring duties as required.

To respond to enquiries from parks visitors on basic horticultural techniques and plant varieties.

To refer concerns expressed by visitors to the parks, to line managers or supervisors.

To undertake such training as is required to meet the needs of the maintenance of the parks and surrounding areas.

To supervise and undertake the training of small teams of mixed horticultural ability.

To undertake other site related horticultural maintenance duties commensurate with the skill levels expected of a craft gardener as directed by the Chief Officer, Head of Service or the Senior Estates Manager.

Qualifications

Minimum of NVQ Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture or equivalent, with a considerable practical experience. Candidates who can demonstrate a significant period of work experience, but who do not have a formal qualifications, will be considered for the post.

PA1 / PA6 spraying certificate is desirable.

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics

• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering theBest City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.