Gardener

A historic Cambridge college is seeking an experienced Gardener to join its Gardens and Grounds team. This role offers the opportunity to care for a range of established gardens and grounds, supporting their presentation, seasonal development and ongoing maintenance.

Working closely with the Head Gardener, you will undertake practical horticultural work across multiple sites, helping maintain high standards of planting, lawns and landscaped areas. The role would suit someone with strong practical skills, an eye for detail and a genuine interest in horticulture.

Typical duties will include:

• Maintain planted areas, beds, borders and external grounds to a high standard, ensuring seasonal presentation and interest.
• Undertake planting, watering, mulching, pruning, deadheading, staking, edging, weed control and plant establishment.
• Support plant propagation, including working with seeds, cuttings, plugs and liners, alongside potting-on and nursery care.
• Carry out lawn maintenance, leaf clearance and seasonal renovation, including scarifying, aeration and overseeding.
• Operate and maintain gardening tools, powered equipment and grounds machinery, while supporting sustainable gardening practices and preparing grounds for college events.

The successful candidate will have:

• At least three years' experience in gardening or horticulture, with a strong understanding of maintaining gardens to a high standard.
• Good working knowledge of ornamental plants, propagation, pruning, watering, weed control, lawns and seasonal planting.
• Strong practical horticultural skills, attention to detail and the ability to work reliably both independently and as part of a team.
• A full manual driving licence and confidence using common gardening tools and grounds machinery.
• A reliable, self-motivated and respectful approach, with a willingness to continue developing horticultural knowledge.

Relevant horticultural qualifications and PA1/PA6 certificates would be advantageous.

The role involves working outdoors across multiple sites, including areas with uneven surfaces and restricted access. Applicants should be comfortable with the physical demands of gardening, including walking between sites, lifting and moving materials, and working with tools and machinery.

The position offers a salary of £27,000 - £30,000 per annum, dependent on experience, alongside a range of benefits including 27 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, a contributory pension scheme, a cash-back health plan, death-in-service benefit, a lunch allowance and access to various staff facilities and schemes.

Please apply via the advert or contact Calum at The HireWorks for more information.

We endeavour to reply to every candidate, every time, but if you haven't heard back within 10 days, please understand that you have unfortunately been unsuccessful for this position, or the position has been filled. Please call the office or send an email to discuss other potential opportunities.