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Southend-on-Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the Southend 2050 ambition and make lives better for the people of Southend. Southend itself is a vibrant place to live and work, offering coastal living alongside excellent and fast transport links into London.

Working for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from regulatory services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, social services, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Your new role

We are looking for Gardeners (x2) to join the Horticulture / sports and cleaning team on full time and permanent contract. As a gardener, you will assist in undertaking the maintenance work in our green flag parks, recreational grounds, landscaped areas, and open spaces, which include highways verges, shrub and rose beds. You will assist in the marking out and maintenance of the summer & Winter sports pitches. You will use and regularly maintain light plant and machinery to carryout maintenance work.

The duties will also include but not limited to the below:

• Grass cutting.
• Edging of grass areas.
• Hedges, Shrubs and Rose beds.
• The preparation and planting of the summer / winter bedding.
• Summer & Winter sports maintenance.
• Marking out of summer / winter sports pitches.
• Weed spraying.
• Littering and bin emptying.
• Opening and closing of sports pavilions.
• Cleaning of toilets and other council facilities.

NB: The post holder will be required to be available for weekend shifts

What you'll need to succeed

To be successful in this post, you will ensure that the highest possible standard of maintenance is achieved by practical application of horticultural skills and experience. You will assist in completing horticultural operations which includes grass cutting, maintenance of hedges / shrub /rose beds also including maintenance of seasonal bedding.

To be successful in this role, it is essential that you can adhere to all aspects of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 in relation to the Grounds Maintenance Division. You will be required to assist more skilled staff to carry out the tasks required for maintaining the green flag parks, recreational grounds, landscaped areas, and open spaces, which include highways verges. Ability to apply herbicides and pesticides in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines will be essential for this role.

Ideally you will have gained previous experience in a similar setting and enjoy working outdoors in a team-based environment.

What you'll get in return

If you join the Council, you will enjoy a range of benefits including flexible working (with a blended approach to office and home working), salary sacrifice schemes, 24 days holiday (excluding bank holidays) and excellent training and development opportunities. A full list of benefits provided by Southend-on-Sea City Council can be found on the Jobs at the council web page under the "Why Work for us Tab".

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

Southend-on-Sea City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.