Experienced Gardener
Manpower Recruitment are recruiting for a passionate and enthusiastic qualified Gardener with at least 3 years' experience to work within a friendly and experienced team in the College gardens and grounds.
Candidates must have a high level of horticultural knowledge combined with good craft gardening skills. Excellent opportunity to work within a pleasant environment offering an interesting and varied work experience.
Salary will be in the range £26,707 to £33,002 per annum (pro-rata) according to qualifications and experience, plus Oxford Location Allowance of £1,730 per annum.
This is a fixed term role from 1 May 2026 – 31 October 2026.
Working hours will be Monday-Friday 8am-4.30pm
As Gardener, you will work within a friendly and experienced team consisting of six full-time staff and one full-time apprentice. You will assist in the preservation and enhancement of the estate's horticultural landscape, undertaking a broad range of duties to include seasonal operations. The role requires regular outdoor work throughout the year and the ability to carry out physically demanding tasks essential to horticultural practice.
Amongst the Head Gardener's key priorities is the continued enhancement of biodiversity across the entire estate.
I'm looking for an experienced Gardener who is enthusiastic and committed to assist in the continued delivery of these aims, and in turn we will support your development and training. As a qualified gardener, you will take responsibility for areas varying in horticultural expertise, requiring the following skills and experience:
* Expert pruning, training and seasonal care of shrubs, wall shrubs, climbing plants, roses, topiary and hedges to enhance the College grounds.
* Understanding of meadow management
* Cultivation of shrub and herbaceous borders, including weeding, edging, planting, dividing, staking, pruning and deadheading to enhance flowering potential.
* Professional turf management, precision mowing, application of fertilisers, biological pest and disease control, top dressing and re-seeding, plus full seasonal manual and mechanical lawn renovation.
* Proactive grounds care, keeping paths, open spaces and landscapes pristine, safe and welcoming for our students, staff and visitors.
* Skilled operation and maintenance of tractors and specialist equipment to support efficient estate management.
* Supporting greenhouse and nursery production, application of IPM program, propagating shrubs and trees and growing bedding plants for seasonal displays.
* Mechanical, manual and chemical control of weeds, litter picking and seasonal leaf clearance
* Contributing positively as part of a collaborative team, while confidently managing independent tasks.
* Upholding the highest standards of health, safety and environmental compliance across the Estate.
* Any other tasks, duties and responsibilities not listed above which can reasonably be expected to be performed or undertaken by a Qualified Gardener and estate worker.
Person Specification Essential
* Horticultural qualifications, minimum level 2 in practical horticulture (e.g., RHS, City & Guilds, NVQ or equivalent)
* Minimum of 3 years' experience working as a qualified gardener in an amenity horticultural environment.
* Good plant knowledge and understanding of correct horticultural practices.
* Experienced in all aspects of pruning wall shrubs, roses and ornamentals.
* Experience in fine turf management
* PA1 & PA6
* Conscientious and professional in all aspects of work and engagement
* Proven ability to work in a team and alone.
* Excellent time management skills.
* Good interpersonal skills.
* Proven ability to have a flexible approach to the work environment.
Desirable
* CS30/31 chainsaw certificates.
* Certificate for Safe Use of Steps & Ladders.
* Manual handling certificate.
* Experience in caring for greenhouses and nursery stock.
* Experience in working with animals.
* First Aid trained
* Experience of driving tractors and operating relevant machinery such as shredders, ride on mowers, mulch /flail mowers.
If interested, please get in contact with a Manpower representative