Horticulturalist Gardener

Corpus Christi College
Cambridge

Job Description

Job Title:

Horticulturalist Gardener

Department:

Gardens & Grounds

Responsible to:

Head Gardener

Purpose of Job:

Improving levels of presentation across all College properties

Key responsibilities:
• Carry  out  routine  horticultural  maintenance  across  the  College’s  main  sites,  including  planting,

watering, mulching, pruning and weed control.

• Maintain all planted areas across the College estate to a consistently high standard of horticultural

presentation throughout the year.

• Safely apply pesticides using a knapsack sprayer in line with current legislation and College policies.
• Produce plants for use across the estate from plugs, liners, seeds and cuttings, including potting-on

and general propagation tasks.

• Undertake seasonal pruning of a range of ornamental plants, including climbers, roses, herbaceous

perennials and shrubs.

• Irrigate planted borders and beds as required to support plant establishment and ongoing health.
• Carry out lawn mowing and assist with seasonal lawn renovation works such as scarifying, aeration

and overseeding.

• Perform seasonal leaf clearance to maintain safe and tidy lawns, paths and planted areas.
• Driving College vehicles, tractor & trailer to move materials across the three main sites.

Health and Safety:
All staff must adopt a responsible and proactive attitude towards health and safety and to comply
with any procedures as required by the College to ensure the health and safety of themselves, their
colleagues and any other persons that may be affected by their actions.  Staff 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:
To 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. The list of duties may be subject to revision
at the end of the probationary period.

Horticulturalist Gardener - 2026

Person Specification

Criteria

Essential  Desirable

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Education/Qualifications
•  Good standard of literacy & general education.
•  RHS qualifications.
•  Full clean driving licence.
•  Spraying certificates P.A. 1&6.
Knowledge/Experience
•  Provable  experience  with  a  minimum  of  3  years  in  an  environment

where the highest standards were necessary.
•  Good level of both written & spoken English.
•  Good working knowledge of the Health & Safety at Work.
Skills
•  Ability & confidence to work unsupervised at times, as well as part of a

team.

•  Willingness to assist other teams to achieve task completion.
•  Systematic approach to problem solving.
I.T. Skills
•  Basic I.T. skills are desirable.
Personal Qualities
•  Excellent time management and punctuality
•  Demonstrates a strong work ethic and commitment to high standards
•  Shows enthusiasm for learning and ongoing professional development
•  Exhibits a proactive and positive attitude towards undertaking and

completing all assigned tasks

Physical/Special Requirements
•  Due to the age and layout of the college, there are steep staircases and
areas of restricted access. You will need to be physically fit enough to
carry out tasks as required, whilst working within guidelines of manual
handling.

•  The position will require lifting & moving of equipment and will involve

working off ladders.

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Issued by Department Head

……………………………………Name

……………………………………Signature

…………………………………….Date

Accepted and Understood by Postholder

…………………………………….Name

…………………………………….Signature

…………………………………….Date

This job description will be reviewed periodically when additions and amendments may be made.

Horticulturalist Gardener - 2026