Skilled Gardener

Connect2Luton are excited to recruit a Skilled Gardener on behalf of Luton Borough Council.

Main purpose of position:

To work with other Gardeners, Volunteers, Horticultural Staff and Apprentices/Trainee gardeners ensuring that the diverse and daily workload required to maintain and improve Luton's public parks and gardens is delivered to achieve Green Flag Park Standards.

You will be responsible to:

·Carry out a range of Horticultural maintenance tasks including among other things grass cutting, pruning, planting, sowing, raking, edging, weeding, sweeping, litter picking, and chemical application to recognised horticultural standards. Including driving and operating a range of vehicles and associated machinery including pedestrian and ride on machinery and hand held equipment. Paying particular attention to the security of parks/work locations by ensuring that all areas are left secure & with barriers locked.

· Undertake daily routine safety and maintenance checks ensuring that all vehicles, machinery and equipment used are well maintained, kept clean and at all times are safely locked up or stored to ensure that they are protected from exposure to risk, damage, loss or theft.

· Complete documents relating to the role of the post including daily work records, vehicle/equipment defect reporting, overtime claims accurately and in a timely manner.

·Use the approved equipment provided and follow manufacturers recommended guidelines in relation to Hand Arm Vibration and application rates, undertaking the application of a range of Herbicides, Pesticides, Fungicides and Fertilizers as directed.

·Assign and direct workload, providing on-site direction, mentoring and training of volunteers and other horticultural employees, sharing horticultural knowledge to provide opportunities for growth within the team and to ensuring they are organised effectively and well-motivated to achieve the required standards.

· Undertake visual daily safety inspection of children's play areas, trees and parks infrastructure; bringing any areas of concern to the attention of a Park supervisor.

Skills and Experience:

• Able to work well as a member of a team, share knowledge and lead employees and volunteers
• Able to use own initiative in organising and undertaking tasks
• Able to prioritise and organise workloads to meet heavy and sometimes conflicting service demands, targets and deadlines
• Demonstrable knowledge of some common Horticultural pests and diseases and their treatments
• The ability to demonstrate a good understanding of the latest health and safety legislation especially when using equipment
• A Horticultural qualification or equivalent experience. City & Guilds phase 2 (Horticulture) or equivalent qualification OR equivalent experience
• Full valid driving licence to transport employees and equipment and to operate other associated vehicles and machinery

About Us

Luton Borough Council have partnered with Kent County Council to create Connect2Luton, a recruitment managed service for all contingent temporary agency, contract, and interim roles at the Council.

Our heritage and being local government owned which means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the public sector, with many of our employees having previously worked for the Council or have supplied previously into the Council, for several years.

We are an equal opportunities employment agency and business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Connect2Luton is a trading style of Luton & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Luton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Luton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.