Corpus Christi College Cambridge

Job Description

Job Title: Gardener (Horticulture)

Department: Gardens and Grounds

Responsible to: Head Gardener

Purpose of Job: Support the Head Gardener in the care, presentation and development of the College gardens and grounds, with a particular emphasis on plants, horticultural craft, propagation, seasonal presentation and the careful stewardship of a historic Cambridge college estate. The role combines practical gardening and grounds work with constructive engagement across the College community.

Duties and responsibilities:

1. Horticultural care, presentation and development

Maintain planted areas, beds, borders and external properties to a high standard of horticultural care, presentation and seasonal interest.

Undertake planting, watering, mulching, pruning, deadheading, staking, edging, weed control, plant establishment and routine horticultural tasks across the College estate.

Support seasonal displays, border presentation, plant selection and planting schemes appropriate to the character, use and setting of each site.

Produce plants from plugs, liners, seeds and cuttings, including potting-on, propagation, nursery care and related establishment work.

Monitor plant health, soil condition, irrigation needs, pests and disease, reporting issues promptly and helping to implement suitable remedial action.

2. Grounds maintenance and operational support

Carry out lawn mowing, edging, leaf clearance and seasonal lawn renovation, including scarifying, aeration and overseeding.

Use, clean and maintain appropriate hand tools, powered equipment, mowers, tractors, trailers and other machinery within training and authorisation.

• Drive College vehicles and move tools, plants and materials between sites.

Apply pesticides via a knapsack sprayer where necessary and in accordance with regulation, procedures and good horticultural practice.

Support preparation for College events, visits and ceremonies, working sensitively around an occupied academic and residential environment.

3. Community engagement, relationships and garden awareness

Develop positive, professional and approachable relationships with students, Fellows, staff, visitors and contractors, acting as a good ambassador for the Gardens and Grounds Department.

Support agreed student or community horticultural activity, such as allotments and practical garden projects, providing guidance while maintaining standards, safety and boundaries.

Help increase awareness and appreciation of the College's gardens, planting and biodiversity, including through plant labelling, seasonal notes, tours, open days or internal communications where appropriate.

Work collaboratively with Maintenance, Housekeeping, Porters' Lodge, Catering, Conferences and other teams to support the smooth operation and presentation of the estate

4. Planning, records, sustainability and safety

Work to agreed schedules, seasonal priorities and instructions from the Head Gardener, using initiative and good judgement in day-to-day work.

Maintain simple records where required, including pesticide use, plant production, machinery checks, completed work, defects, hazards and relevant site observations.

Support sustainable horticultural practice, including compost production, responsible use of green waste, water-conscious gardening, biodiversity enhancement and reduced reliance on chemical intervention.

Comply with all risk assessments, safe systems of work, manual handling guidance, PPE requirements and College procedures; promptly report hazards, defects or unsafe practices.

Undertake training as required and maintain an active commitment to improving horticultural knowledge, practical skill and safe working practice

5. General requirements

Health and Safety

• All staff must adopt a responsible and proactive attitude towards health and safety and to comply with any College procedures to ensure the health and safety of themselves and any other persons that may be affected by their actions. They must be prepared to undertake any training provided in relation to health and safety or which is identified as necessary in relation to their work.

College Staff Values

• Uphold the College Staff Values of Excellence, Collaboration, Respect and Creativity.

Safeguarding

• A commitment to safeguarding our students and staff and complying with the College’s policies related to this.

The above is not an exhaustive list and the post holder may be expected to undertake other related duties as required by the Head Gardener or Second Bursar. The list of duties may be subject to revision at the end of the probationary period.

Person Specification

Criteria	Essential	Desirable
Education/Qualifications
Good standard of English literacy and general education.	√
Valid driving licence appropriate.	√
Relevant horticultural training, apprenticeship, RHS qualificationexperience.		√
PA1 and PA6 pesticide application certificates, or willingness to obtainwithin an agreed period.		√
Knowledge/Experience
Minimum 3 years' experience in gardening or horticultural to high standardof presentation, care and reliability.	√
Good working knowledge of ornamental plants, propagation, pruning,watering, weed control, lawns and seasonal plant establishment.	√
Experience in a college, school, heritage estate, public garden, privateestate, nursery or similar high-quality setting.
Skills
Strong practical horticultural skills and attention to detail in thepresentation of beds, borders, lawns and planted areas.
Able to prioritise tasks, respond to seasonal pressures and complete workreliably to agreed standards, working unsupervised and as part of a team.	√
Competent use of common gardening tools, powered equipment andgrounds machinery, subject to training and authorisation.	√
Able to contribute ideas for improving planting, presentation, sustainabilityand appreciation of the gardens.		↓
Personal Qualities
Takes pride in work and committed to high standards of horticultural careand presentation.
Reliable, punctual, self-motivated, with a practical, positive and respectfulapproach.
Curious about plants, gardens and professional development, withenthusiasm for ongoing learning.
Physical/Special Requirements
Able to work in an historic College environment with steep staircases,uneven surfaces, restricted access areas and other constraints.
Physically able to carry out the role, including walking across multiple sites,working outdoors, using tools and machinery, lifting and moving materials,and working within manual handling guidance.

Issued by Department Head

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Accepted and Understood by Postholder

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