Job title: Leading Hand Gardener

Salary: C1 £28,598 - £31,022

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent / Full-time

Location: Temple Newsam Estate

As a Leading Hand Gardener, you’ll thrive on supervising a team at Temple Newsam in delivering a high quality, Green Flag standard attraction.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you
You will require considerable practical horticultural experience, together with an NVQ2 or equivalent in Amenity Horticulture, although applicants who can demonstrate a significant period of work experience without formal qualifications will also be considered.

Work includes all aspects of horticultural maintenance, including lifting, digging, hard and soft landscaping, preparation of ground for the planting and establishment of plants, weed spraying, the laying, establishing and maintenance of turf, fencing, the construction and maintenance of landscape features and grass cutting using a ride-on mower. In addition the Leading Hand Gardener will be responsible for mentoring and training new Gardening Apprentices in horticultural methods and practices and in specific machinery use.

As a Leading Hand Gardener you will bring to the role:

The ability to supervise and work as part of a team.
Relevant skills to maintain a top quality attraction.
Embrace the Council Values.
Treat people fairly and with respect.

About the role

This post is based at Temple Newsam Estate, Leeds, where the team are responsible for all aspects of horticulture and general grounds maintenance of this 600 hectare historic parkland, formal gardens, sports fields and amenity grassland. Contributing to the delivery an excellent heritage visitor attraction through the supervision of staff, budgets, operational activities, services, assets and infrastructure in line with service objectives and management plans. This role will lead on the development, management and delivery of the historic gardens and grounds and their use for public access and events.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact

Mark Darwell mark.darwell@leeds.gov.uk 07860855039.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: To organise and undertake, on a day-to-day basis, the available resources in order to complete gardening maintenance and horticultural operations and to ensure that correct work related records are kept.

Responsibilities

Organisation, undertaking and completion of all ground’s maintenance and horticultural operations within the defined working district.
Supervision and training of staff, including seasonal staff, trainees, volunteers and work placements. This will also include the driving from one area of work within the Leeds City boundaries to another, in order to supervise staff and to check on work progression.
Assist the staff under the postholder’s control in gardening operations, involving digging, planting out, weeding, shrub maintenance, hard and soft landscaping.
Work will involve digging and repetitive lifting of heavy objects outside in all weathers.
Accurate completion and return of relevant inspection and other records, staff timesheets and other administrative duties as required.
Ensure that Climate, Energy & Green Space’s Safety Policy and relevant risk assessments are adhered to by the staff under the post holder’s control.
Deputise for the Senior Chargehand as may be required.
Undertake the planting and aftercare of annual, biennial, and perennial plants.
Undertake any training as is deemed necessary to improve performance.
To ensure that the applicable sections of Parks and Countryside’s Green Policy are followed and that the correct monitoring procedures are adhered to.
Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture or equivalent. PA1 /PA6 spraying certificate is desirable

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Able to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels.
Able to support Senior Chargehand in Leading and motivating a team of gardeners.
Able to plan and organise resources efficiently and effectively.
Able to keep accurate records.
Able to ensure that Climate, Energy & Green Space’s Safety Policy and relevant risk assessments are adhered to by the staff under the post holder’s control.
Able to work on own initiative or as part of a team.
Able to undertake all aspects of gardening and horticultural operations, outside in all weathers.
Able to deputise for the Senior Chargehand as required.
Able to produce risk assessments for the related work areas.
Knowledge of current, modern horticultural machinery and its uses.
Knowledge of health and safety procedures.
Significant practical experience in gardening and horticultural operations.
Experience in staff supervision and training.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Knowledge in the use of computers and Microsoft software packages.
Knowledge of Departmental policies and procedures.