Soft Landscaping Gardener

Introduction to the Department

As a Soft Landscape Gardener at Colchester Zoological Society your job will be carrying out tasks that include hedge cutting, strimming, cutting and maintaining grass, monitoring the health of all plants (including indoor planted areas), watering and feeding plants, weeding gardens and keeping green spaces clear of debris and litter. Ultimately, your job is to make sure our gardens, and green spaces are always healthy and look beautiful.

You will also help cut browse, and perching for animals and habitats, this will include helping to put this in enclosures and exhibits. You will also be helping to maintain and replant our woodland areas.

Role Responsibilities

• To liaise with Supervisor and other team members to perform the required daily operations and any garden maintenance tasks deemed appropriate.
• Working across the site to deliver a range of maintenance activities on time and to a high standard
• To ensure that the presentation of Colchester Zoological Society gardens gives the most favourable impression
• Install and maintain plants in existing and new enclosures
• Mow, trim and fertilize green spaces
• Weed and mulch gardens
• Hedge cutting together with pruning of shrubs and bushes
• Maintain all gardening equipment and machinery, mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers
• Monitor and maintain the health of plants together with dealin with pest problems that could damage plants
• Deal with pest problems that could damage plants
• Keep gardens and green spaces clear of debris and litter
• Driving company vehicles such as tractors and gators
• Providing an excellent level of customer service
• Operating hand-held equipment and machinery
• Reporting any damage or vandalism to the Supervisor.
• To ensure all necessary and appropriate standards have been implemented and are operating in accordance with the Company’s Health & Safety Policy

Role Requirements

• Punctual, hard-working and able to use own initiative
• A highly motivated individual with excellent general gardening skills
• Excellent time management
• Excellent and clear communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team
• To work calmly and effectively in a high-pressure environment
• To be able to think out of the box with fresh ideas
• Knowledge of Health and Safety compliance
• Maintenance of records relating to tasks performed, timesheets, materials, vehicles and equipment
• Ability to interact positively and professionally with the public, and colleagues
• You must have good knowledge of gardening work with at least 2 years experience in this field
• You don’t need any formal qualifications to become a gardener; however basic numeracy and literacy skills are important as is the ability to read, write and understand instructions.
• Preferred qualifications – NPTC 003920, NPTC 003921, NPTC 003922, NPTC 003923.