Temporary Ongoing Gardener

Location: Apex Housing Head Office, Derry/Londonderry (travel required to housing schemes and estates)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Temporary Ongoing
Pay Rate: £13.47 - £13.69 per hour (equivalent to £25,989 - £26,403 per annum, pro rata)

MPA Recruitment is delighted to be recruiting a Temporary Ongoing Gardener on behalf of our client, Apex Housing, in the Derry/Londonderry area.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic gardener to join a well-established organisation dedicated to providing high-quality housing and communities. Based at Apex Housing Head Office, you will travel to housing schemes and estates throughout the area, ensuring communal outdoor spaces are maintained to an exceptional standard.

Key Responsibilities

As a Gardener, your duties will include:

• Maintaining lawns, landscaped areas, flower beds, hedges, shrubs and trees across Apex Housing schemes.
• Carrying out planting, pruning, weeding, watering, mulching, edging, soil cultivation and general grounds maintenance.
• Operating and maintaining gardening equipment including mowers, strimmer’s, leaf blowers and other hand tools.
• Conducting routine equipment checks and ensuring all tools and machinery are stored safely and maintained in good working order.
• Caring for indoor plants within sheltered accommodation, supported living schemes and office locations.
• Maintaining the Association's greenhouse and propagating plants for future use.
• Liaising with Scheme Managers and Officers-in-Charge regarding grounds maintenance requirements.
• Assisting with seasonal maintenance planning and organising workloads across multiple sites.
• Supporting general maintenance duties including litter picking, waste disposal and moving furniture when required.
• Carrying out winter maintenance including gritting, salt spreading and snow clearance.
• Reporting maintenance issues to the Assets Officer.
• Working in accordance with Health & Safety legislation, statutory regulations and Apex Housing policies.
• Ensuring the correct use and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Supervising Association residents where required and providing feedback to the Property Services Officer.

Essential Criteria

Applicants must have either:

• A BTEC/NVQ Level 2 in Horticulture or Grounds Maintenance together with 2 years' post-qualification experience in a gardening or grounds maintenance role.

OR

• A minimum of 4 years' experience working within a gardening or grounds maintenance role.

Applicants must also possess:

• Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements relevant to grounds maintenance.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A positive, reliable and self-motivated approach.
• The ability to adapt to changing priorities and maintain high standards of work.
• The physical ability to carry out the duties of the role.
• A current full driving licence.

Benefits

When you work with MPA Recruitment, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive hourly pay (£13.47 - £13.69 per hour)
• Weekly pay every Friday
• 37 hours per week
• Holiday pay
• Company pension scheme
• Flexible working opportunities
• Dedicated consultant support
• 24-hour office support

If you're an experienced gardener who takes pride in maintaining attractive and welcoming outdoor spaces, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to register your interest in this Temporary Ongoing opportunity with Apex Housing through MPA Recruitment.