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College Gardener

St Hilda's College, University of Oxford

College Gardener

£28759

St Hilda's College, University of Oxford, Oxford

  • Full time
  • Permanent
  • Onsite working

Posted 2 weeks ago, 3 May | Get your application in now before you miss out!

Closing date: Closing date not specified

job Ref: c11cef7f68114b359c470b4ee34e37f0

Full Job Description

  • Equivalent to Grade 4 on the current University salary scale - http://finance.admin.ox.ac.uk/salary-scales

  • £25,138 to £28,759 per annum


    • Main purpose of role
  • To develop and maintain the gardens of both the main College site and our off-site properties.

  • The role involves a full range of ornamental gardening activities across the College sites which include a rose garden, a roof garden, an historic rockery and numerous mixed shrub and herbaceous borders. The College also has responsibility for managing a wildflower water meadow.


    • Contract
  • Full-time, 40 hours per week, permanent, based at the College sites.


    • Summary of Responsibilities and Duties:

    Specific Duties
  • Mowing, lawn-edging and seasonal lawn maintenance

  • Hedge-trimming

  • Weeding - borders, paths and paved areas

  • Strimming

  • Leaf-collecting

  • Watering

  • Border maintenance

  • Pruning

  • Clearance and cultivation of new areas

  • Handling compost, mulch and topsoil

  • Planting - permanent or seasonal displays, in the ground or in containers

  • Dealing with gardens-related deliveries


    • General Duties
  • Ensure the gardens of the main site and the off-site properties are maintained to a good standard.

  • Ensure all relevant machinery, equipment and tools are well-maintained and securely stored.

  • Assist with monitoring and maintaining all College boundaries.

  • Support the on-going sustainability programme and green initiatives of the College.

  • Ensure health and safety standards are maintained at all times, reporting any concerns.

  • Contribute to outreach and engagement events run by the Gardens Team

  • Assist in College emergencies as and when required in a proactive and safe manner.


    • In addition, you will be expected to perform any task reasonably assigned to you by your line manager.

  • Substantial experience in ornamental gardening

  • Current full UK driving licence

  • A practical understanding of Health & Safety legislation in the workplace


    • Desirable Skills, Experience and Qualifications
  • A range of general garden maintenance skills and competence

  • Good plant knowledge

  • Ability to work as part of a small team

  • Ability to work under own initiative

  • Good and friendly communicator

  • Reliability and trustworthiness

  • Willingness to attend training as required

    Salary: Equivalent to University Grade 4 range, currently £24,715- £28,131 per annum

  • Contract: Permanent, full-time post (40 hours per week) based at the College sites.

  • Annual leave: 33 days per year, including public holidays. Please note that the College reserves the right to require staff to work any or all of bank holidays that fall in Full Term.

  • Membership of generous contributory pension scheme (OPS)

  • Lunch is provided free of charge when on duty, provided that the College kitchen is open.

  • Probationary period: 6 months.

  • Notice period: 2 months; 1 month during the probationary period.

  • Discounted travel schemes are available.

  • There is an optional contributory healthcare and dental scheme.

  • College branded workwear is provided including safety boots and wet weather gear.


    • St Hilda's College is seeking to appoint a full-time College Gardener.

    We are looking for someone to join our small Gardens Team as we develop and maintain the gardens of both the main College site and our off-site properties. The role will involve the full range of ornamental gardening activities. It will include significant heavy work and use of machinery.

    This is a really exciting opportunity. The College gardens, which lie alongside the River Cherwell, include a rose garden, a roof garden, an historic rockery and numerous mixed shrub and herbaceous borders. The plant collection is interesting and varied. The College also has responsibility for managing a wildflower water meadow.

    Candidates should have substantial experience in ornamental gardening. A UK driving licence is required.

    The role has an annual leave entitlement of 33 days per annum including bank holidays, and a meal is available when on duty and the kitchen is open.