Location
Newton Park campus, Bath, Somerset with occasional work at other campus sites.

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
Grade 4 - Starting from £27,241 rising to £29,354 per annum. The salary range shows potential maximum pay progression in addition to any annual inflationary increase. Appointment is usually at the lower end of the range unless exceptional circumstances apply.

About the Role
We are seeking a Lead Gardener to join our grounds team at the historic Newton Park campus. You will carry out routine seasonal garden and estate maintenance, including the use of a wide range of machinery and hands-on tasks such as weeding, working in borders, woodland areas, and parkland. You will assist with supervising gardeners and placement students, liaise with contractors for routine grounds maintenance, and provide seasonal care of shrub and herbaceous borders including pruning. Responsibilities also include ground preparation for planting trees, hedges, and borders, routine mowing, edging, lawn care, and seasonal renovation tasks. Where applicable, you will maintain and renovate sports pitches, undertake pesticide application records and inventories, perform routine machinery checks and basic maintenance, and keep drives and pathways clear of debris, litter, and snow, applying salt as needed. This is a hands-on role requiring physical fitness and the ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions. You will be required to operate machinery such as hedge cutters, strimmers, lawn mowers, and tractors, and drive estate vehicles on and off campus, subject to passing BSU competence tests.

Experience
Demonstrated experience in a varied gardening role, preferably within a historic garden setting. Previous experience using horticultural machinery is essential.

About you
Ability to work on your own initiative as well as a flexible team member, taking the lead when required. Prepared for manual handling tasks and working at height when necessary. Physically fit to undertake frequent heavy lifting and outdoor work in all weather conditions. Hold a full manual UK driving licence.

Qualifications
RHS Level 2, HND, NVQ, BTEC Level 3 or equivalent, or working towards one of these qualifications.