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Would you like to be part of something bigger and join us in our ambition to become the Best City, working together as a Team for Leeds. Do your values match ours and do you have something to offer?

Leeds City Council delivers over 500 different services to residents and is dedicated to bringing the benefits of a prosperous, vibrant and attractive city to the people of Leeds. This is a fantastic time to join us.

Benefits of working with us:

We pride ourselves on offering the best employee experience, with a genuine commitment to keeping our colleagues safe and well at work. You can expect great benefits whilst working for us including:

• a competitive pay progression structure including generous employer pension contributions
• flexible career paths with tailored personal and professional development
• support for you, your home and your family including personal, and financial support
• hybrid working arrangements (subject to needs of the role) and a flexitime system

For more information about our benefits please see the benefits section of our jobs page.

Introduction to the role of the team

This post is based within the East area of Leeds. In addition to previous experience in staff supervision, training and completion of relevant paperwork

Your role

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.

A full, clean driving licence is essential, to enable the post holder to travel independently to various sites as required to supervise and transport staff.

The post may be based at any point within the Leeds City boundaries.

You will have excellent communication skills and be a team player. You will be motivated and a critical thinker with the ability to understand the needs of your customers.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - 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 and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose

To undertake horticultural maintenance duties, within the Parks and Countryside service.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• The undertaking and completion of all horticultural operations within the defined working district.
• To undertake the training and development of horticultural apprentices.
• The supervision and training of staff, including seasonal staff, trainees, volunteers and work placements.
• To deputise as required in the absence of the Chargehand Gardener.
• To undertake specified record keeping and other administrative duties as required.
• To ensure that Parks and Countryside’s Safety Policy and relevant Safe Working Practices are adhered to by the staff under the post holder’s control.
• To undertake any training as is deemed necessary to improve performance and to meet the needs of the maintenance of the parks and surrounding areas.
• To prepare land for planting.
• To undertake the planting and aftercare of annual, biennial and perennial plants.
• To repair and maintain ornamental and amenity turf areas.
• To undertake basic soft and hard landscaping construction and aftercare.
• To prepare sports areas, marking out and maintenance.
• To undertake other manual labouring duties as required in all weathers.
• To respond to enquiries from parks visitors on basic horticultural techniques.
• To refer concerns expressed by visitors to the parks and open spaces, to line managers or supervisors.
• To undertake other site related horticultural maintenance duties commensurate with the skill levels expected of a leading hand gardener.

Essential requirements

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of current, modern horticultural machinery and its uses.
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures.
• Knowledge of quality assurance procedures.

Skills

• Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels.
• Ability to keep accurate records.
• Physical ability to undertake all aspects of horticultural operations outside, in all weathers.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Ability to supervise staff and train effectively.
• Ability to undertake mentoring for gardening apprentices.

Experience

• NVQ Level 1 in Amenity Horticulture or equivalent and actively working towards NVQ Level 2.
  PA1/PA6 spraying certificate.
• Experience in staff supervision and training.
• 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 equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies 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

It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Experience

• NVQ Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture or equivalent.