Gardener - Oxford OX DP - Christ Church

Description

Christ Church is seeking to appoint a Gardener who is enthusiastic, self-motivated, experienced, reliable and adaptable and who is keen to use their knowledge and experience to increase horticultural standards. There are two posts available.

The Gardener will work as part of the gardening team to help prepare and maintain the gardens to the required high standard, under the direction of the Head Gardener. The Gardener will work closely in a team of five full time gardeners reporting the Head Gardener. The post holder will maintain the extensive gardens, Christ Church Meadow and the trees within the Christ Church grounds.

This position is offered on a permanent, full-time basis. The working hours for the Gardener will be 8.00am – 5.00pm with one-hour lunch break (unpaid), Monday to Friday, but it is expected that such longer hours will be worked as may reasonably be necessary in order to fulfil the duties of the appointment. The salary is University Scale Grade 4 £27,838 – £31,459 (with a discretionary range to £34,046).

Main areas of responsibility:

• Maintenance and planting of trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, bulbs and annuals
• General lawn care
• Care of wildflower areas within the Meadow
• Hedge cutting and strimming
• Plant propagation and production
• Weed and pest/disease control
• Leaf, litter and debris clearing
• Using appropriate machinery as necessary
• Planting design
• Accident and health and safety reporting
• Communication with visitors, members of the College and colleagues
• Promote and contribute to Christ Church's high horticultural standards, ecological, conservation, health and safety and sustainability policies.

The above is not an exhaustive description and other requirements may emerge as necessitated by changing roles within Christ Church and its overall objectives.

Person specification

Essential

• Possess a minimum qualification of RHS Level 2, NVQ 2, National Diploma or equivalent
• Motivated team player who can take initiative, be proactive, and deliver to deadlines with minimal supervision
• Good communication skills to effectively engage different audiences within Christ Church
• Good plant knowledge and interest in improving planting within the grounds
• Capable of working to a high standard with minimum supervision
• Proven experience of using and maintaining large horticultural machinery, e.g. Tractors, Ride-on and Flail Mowers. Any certificates would be desirable
• Full clean driving licence

Desirable

• An interest in sustainable garden practices
• An understanding of lawn care
• Knowledge of wild meadows and growing native plants
• Possession of PA1/6 spraying and CS 30/31 chainsaw certificates

Appropriate training will be provided where necessary.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all candidates. We particularly encourage applications from minority groups who may be under-represented in the College.

Further particulars, including instructions about how to apply, may be downloaded from

Closing date: 20 October 2025 at noon

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £27,838.00-£34,046.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free flu jabs
• Free or subsidised travel
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Sick pay
• Store discount

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Oxford OX1 1DE: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person