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Senior Gardener

Employer
University of Reading
Location
Reading
Salary
£19,730 - £24,029 per annum
Closing date
31 Mar 2019

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We are seeking a working Senior Gardener with great plant knowledge to maintain the Harris Garden at the University’s Whiteknights campus. This former botanic garden covers approximately 5 hectares and has many rare and unusual plants. This is a great opportunity for a practical individual to work within a significant plant collection. The gardens primary function is now recreation and conservation and is heavily used throughout the year by University staff and the wider community, including opening for a number of charity days.

The post will ensure the day to day maintenance of the garden ensuring high maintenance standards with minimal supervision. The post is the only staff resource allocated to the garden so we rely on the Friends of the Harris Garden and other volunteers for its continuing up keep and development. An essential part of this role is to work with, supervise and guide the volunteers ensuring this valuable resource is maintained.

The successful candidate will have broad experience and knowledge of grounds maintenance and horticultural techniques and be technically competent in the safe use of associated equipment, pesticide application and machinery. Experience of customer service, health and safety and the ability to guide and communicate with a wide range of volunteers, up to 20 people at times, is essential. Experience of working in a similar environment or organisation would be advantageous.

When completing the application you should match you qualifications, training, skills and experience to the job description giving full details and filling in all sections.

You will have:

  • A horticultural qualification

  • Demonstrable plant knowledge

  • Experience of supervising grounds maintenance staff 

  • The ability to carry out a wide range of practical grounds maintenance techniques including manual handling

  • The ability to use and demonstrate competence in the use of grounds maintenance machinery

  • A working knowledge of health & safety

  • A valid UK driving Licence

Ideally you will have:

  • Experience of working within a botanic garden or plant collection

  • Experience of working with and supervising volunteers

 

Interviews to be held on 8th April 2019

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