Skilled Gardener

Skilled Gardener Full Time or Part Time
Location: The Palace of Westminster Houses of Parliament / London
Hourly Rate: £16.81 per hour
Contract type: Temp-Perm
Working hours: 3 days (24hrs) working within The Palace of Westminster Houses of Parliament.
2 days as a skilled gardener on a separate site, if full-time hours required- 40hrs)

About the role

Our client currently provides horticultural & landscaping services for the Palace of Westminster Estate. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled & experienced horticulturalist to get involved with the preparations around events like the State Opening of Parliament. There may at times be requests coming from multiple stakeholders (the Speaker's Office, the Ceremonial Works Office, or the Service Delivery Manager) all at once that will be reactive & the candidate will be required to support the Head Gardener in managing these complex pressures.

Responsibilities
* Regular site inspection
* Clearance of litter, debris and detritus
* Grass cutting, edging and cultural operations
* Weeding, pruning and dead-heading of planted areas, including containers
* Re-mulching / top-dressing planted areas and hedge bases
* Hedge cutting and maintenance
* Pleaching trees
* Hard surface weed control
* Hard surface cleansing, including sweeping and pressure washing
* Maintenance of gravel areas
* Leaf clearing - all areas
* Green roof maintenance
* Irrigation generally
* Maintenance of internal plants, including trees at PCH
In addition, you may be asked to support in the delivery of ad-hoc works, such as:
* Re-instatement of lawn areas following events
* Emergency tree work
* Replacement planting
* Improvements to the green roof
* Site improvement work

Requirements
You will be required to possess the stipulated level of security vetting. We would ask that any successful applicant proactively engages with this vetting process as soon as an offer has been made, since it can take several weeks for the process to run its course.
* N.B. A requirement of the vetting procedure is to supply HMRC evidence of the previous 3 years' employment.
* Demonstratable high-horticultural skills and knowledge, backed up by a formal Horticultural qualification (equiv. L2 NVQ/RHS Hort).
* Demonstratable experience on working with multiple stakeholders within the field of horticulture/landscaping.
* Awareness of equality and diversity, health and safety and safeguarding.
* Excellent people skills including team working, problem solving and the ability to be calm and decisive in challenging situations
* A flexible approach to work
* Harness Training would be desirable.

Why join us?

As the UK's leading grounds maintenance and landscape creation provider, no two projects are ever the same - and neither are our people. That's why we're committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.

We're proud to have been recognised as Employer of the Year and Sustainable Company of the Year at this year's Landscaper Awards, reflecting our commitment to supporting our people while delivering a more sustainable future.

What we offer

* Career development: We offer career advancement and development opportunities through our bespoke apprenticeship programmes, our extensive in-house training academy, and coaching and mentorship.
* Collaborative team environment: Join a diverse and inclusive workplace where you can collaborate with passionate and talented individuals.
* Meaningful impact: Contribute to projects that make a real difference in the community and environment.
* Competitive benefits package: We recognise and reward your hard work with our wide-ranging benefits package designed to prioritise your wellbeing, support life choices, and help in both good and challenging times.

Benefits

* Annual leave: from 21 days plus bank holidays.
* Family-friendly policies: Enhanced maternity and shared parental leave.
* Thrive Wellbeing App support: Support for personal and professional challenges.
* Voluntary benefits: Discounts on retail, holidays, gym memberships, and more.
* Financial wellbeing support: Resources to manage your finances.
* Recognition schemes: Colleague of the month and annual awards.
* Volunteering policy: Two days per year to support a cause of your choice.
* Mental health support: Comprehensive resources and support.

About our client

We are Europe's largest provider of grounds maintenance services and landscape creation, in the UK alone we're a community of over 3,000 passionate colleagues shaping the future of the green industry.

We understand what it means to grow. Our history dates back to 1919, and today, with a turnover of £250 million, we're more than just a company - we're a force for positive change. We offer a range of services to create, maintain, and manage landscapes across the UK.

Grow with us, and together we'll create a greener future for all.

If you receive suspicious outreach claiming to be from us, please contact us via the ManpowerGroup website.