Job summary
The Gardener plays a key role within the Essentia Operations team, ensuring that all Trust sites are maintained to the highest standards of safety, cleanliness, and presentation.
The role is responsible for the delivery of grounds maintenance services across a range of healthcare settings within multiple boroughs, supporting both clinical and non-clinical environments.
The post holder will work closely with a diverse team and be expected to embody the Trust's values of caring, ambition, and inclusivity in all aspects of their work.
** The postholder will be required to travel to various community sites across South London **
Main duties of the job
- Undertake a wide range of grounds maintenance tasks, including grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting, watering, and clearing litter.
- Ensure the ongoing health and appearance of plants, shrubs, and trees, including fertilizing, pest and disease control, and regular monitoring.
- Maintain and replant shrub borders and bedding, clear weeds and debris from all areas, and keep car parks and smoking shelters tidy.
- Perform inspections of paths and pavements, report hazards, and carry out leaf clearance and salting as required.
- Carry out basic repairs and maintenance on gardening tools and machinery.
- Liaise with a variety of staff, contractors, and external partners to ensure efficient service delivery.
- Follow all Trust policies regarding confidentiality, health and safety, infection control, risk management, and equal opportunities.
About us
Essentia is part of Guy's and St Thomas' and is responsible for all non-clinical healthcare services. Essentia designs, builds and maintains healthcare infrastructure, which is vital to the smooth running of healthcare services. This encompasses everything from construction projects and healthcare planning to waste management, catering, housekeeping, transport and security. Essentia employs around 1,800 people. It combines exceptionally high standards and public sector values with commercial focus, innovative thinking and modern technology to create the best possible patient experience.
What We Offer
We offer a dynamic challenging job in an exciting, fast moving, flexible working environment. We have a strong commitment to your personal and professional development.
In addition, we offer excellent benefits, including:
o The NHS Pension Scheme - one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK. When you start working for the NHS youautomatically become a member and you will get an excellent package of pension benefits.o Interest free Season Ticket Loano Long Term Service Awardso Subsidised on-site nurseries and childcare voucherso A comprehensive staff health and well-being programmeo Ride to work schemeo Employee assistance programmeo Free stop smoking service
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Gardener is responsible for providing high-quality grounds maintenance across all Essentia sites, covering both acute and community healthcare settings. Key responsibilities include:
- Grass cutting, edging, and hedge pruning to maintain neat and safe outdoor spaces.
- Watering and fertilizing plants and trees to promote healthy growth and appearance.
- Identifying and addressing plant pests, diseases, and other threats to plant health.
- Regularly inspecting plant beds, paths, and paved areas for hazards or defects, and reporting issues promptly.
- Planting and maintaining seasonal bedding, shrubs, and borders.
- Clearing weeds, litter, leaves, and rubbish from all areas, ensuring a tidy and welcoming environment.
- Salting roads and paths during adverse weather, and completing audits on outdoor safety.
- Conducting basic maintenance and repairs on gardening equipment.
- Working flexibly to support the needs of the Trust, which may include evening or weekend shifts.
- Adhering to all Trust policies on information governance, equality, health and safety, infection control, and sustainability.
- Supporting the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in the course of daily duties.
- Actively contributing to a positive team environment and upholding the Trusts core values.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Gardener is responsible for providing high-quality grounds maintenance across all Essentia sites, covering both acute and community healthcare settings. Key responsibilities include:
- Grass cutting, edging, and hedge pruning to maintain neat and safe outdoor spaces.
- Watering and fertilizing plants and trees to promote healthy growth and appearance.
- Identifying and addressing plant pests, diseases, and other threats to plant health.
- Regularly inspecting plant beds, paths, and paved areas for hazards or defects, and reporting issues promptly.
- Planting and maintaining seasonal bedding, shrubs, and borders.
- Clearing weeds, litter, leaves, and rubbish from all areas, ensuring a tidy and welcoming environment.
- Salting roads and paths during adverse weather, and completing audits on outdoor safety.
- Conducting basic maintenance and repairs on gardening equipment.
- Working flexibly to support the needs of the Trust, which may include evening or weekend shifts.
- Adhering to all Trust policies on information governance, equality, health and safety, infection control, and sustainability.
- Supporting the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in the course of daily duties.
- Actively contributing to a positive team environment and upholding the Trusts core values.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Good general education with English and Maths to GCSE standard or equivalent
Desirable
- Evidence of some formal further training of grounds and gardening maintenance
Previous experience
Essential
- Experience working in a gardening or maintenance environment.
Desirable
- Experience in working in the NHS
Skills / Knowledge
Essential
- Basic IT skills
- Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with all levels of staff
- Ability to work with minimum supervision
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Good general education with English and Maths to GCSE standard or equivalent
Desirable
- Evidence of some formal further training of grounds and gardening maintenance
Previous experience
Essential
- Experience working in a gardening or maintenance environment.
Desirable
- Experience in working in the NHS
Skills / Knowledge
Essential
- Basic IT skills
- Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with all levels of staff
- Ability to work with minimum supervision
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
