Newnham College

NEWNHAM COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE

SENIOR GARDENER

Newnham College, is seeking a Senior Gardener with experience in the operation and maintenance of machinery to join our small friendly team of gardeners.

Newnham College is one of the University of Cambridge’s 31 colleges, was established in 1871 for the education of women, has a student body of around 550 (undergraduate and graduate) and academic and ancillary staff numbering just over 100. It is located on a single site in central Cambridge, only a few minutes’ walk from the City Centre.

Background: The main College buildings, most of which are listed, are set around beautiful landscaped gardens which form the heart of the College. Pride in the gardens is shared by all members of the College, and they are a vital part of the impression which the College makes on admissions students, visitors and conference guests. The Gardens Department is a key part of the College establishment. Students, Staff and Fellows alike are allowed to use all parts of the gardens for a variety of functions ranging from end of year parties to studying or relaxing. The garden is known for its striking herbaceous borders, lawns and trees. Garden features include a sunken rose garden, a lily pond, raised knot garden and nut walk. There are many fine and unusual trees and shrubs in the grounds.

On the perimeter of the main site there are a number of Edwardian houses that have been converted to accommodate graduate students. Around most of these, gardens have been laid out to complement the houses and to provide pleasant surroundings for studying. In the immediate vicinity there are also four commercial properties that have gardens to be maintained. The College has an onsite sports field providing facilities for football, hockey, lacrosse as well as tennis and netball courts.

The Gardens Department accommodation has recently been upgraded and modernised. It consists of a large secure compound area, with ample storage, composting bays, greenhouses and large purpose-built mower and storage sheds. The Head Gardener’s Office, staff tearoom, shower and changing room facilities are adjacent.

Responsible to: The Senior Gardener reports to the Head Gardener who is a member of the College Garden Committee, a mixed body with Fellows and students that decides overall policies for the design and good running of the gardens.

Overview of the Role: The Gardens Department consists of a small, friendly team; at full strength it consists of the Head Gardener, one Senior Gardener and three full-time under- gardeners. The department is housed in a purpose-built centre, with kitchen and shower facilities, adjacent to the nursery garden. To assist the garden staff the College has made substantial investment in modern tools and machinery. The Senior Gardener, as well as all the routine garden duties of the under-gardeners, will be expected to oversee the operation and maintenance of all the machinery used within the department under the direction of the Head Gardener.

1) Post of Senior Gardener:  The person appointed will work as part of a team under the supervision of the Head Gardener, who is responsible for all gardens and grounds  Appropriate training will be given if and when necessary  The applicant must be willing to work at height for certain tasks (ladders, MEWPS and scaffold towers)

2) Duties will include:  Maintaining the machinery, tools and equipment in the correct and safe manner  Organising the regular inspection and servicing of all machinery, tools and equipment (in conjunction with the Head Gardener)  Cutting and maintaining lawns and grass to a variety of finishes (fine to rough meadow type) using a variety of machines, including pedestrian operated, tractors & ride on mowers  Cutting and training hedges  Pruning wall shrubs and climbers

Other duties of the successful applicant:  Maintenance of shrub borders including pruning  Maintenance of herbaceous borders including digging, staking, pruning and replanting as required  Carrying out basic arboricultural activities (this will include some ladder work and climbing)  Greenhouse and nursery practices including seed sowing, watering, propagation and potting  Assisting with new landscaping work undertaken by the Gardens Department  Maintenance of garden features and furniture  Maintenance of paths and fences  Maintenance of car parks  Maintenance of sports field including marking pitches and moving goals, and maintaining hard tennis courts and emptying the litterbins  Chemical spraying and application of fertilisers (when required – this is kept to a minimum)

The successful applicant will be expected to  Keep garden buildings clean, tidy and safe  Maintain good relationships with other staff, students, visitors and neighbours  Keep the Head Gardener informed of equipment breakdowns or malfunctions  Keep the Head Gardener informed of unfinished tasks  Observing all Health and Safety, regulatory and security measures  Co-operating with other College Departments as required  Undertaking other duties as required by the Head Gardener

3) Required Qualifications and Skills  Mowers: Ride on – Rotary and Flail – certificates  Mowers: Pedestrian – Rotary and Cylinder - certificates  Tractor Driving Course – certificates  Working at Height (safe use of Mobile, Elevation Platforms) certificate or equivalent  Sportsfield maintenance and marking out  PA01 and PA06 Spraying Certificates  Chainsaw: Operation and Maintenance - certificates  Hedge cutters: Operation and maintenance - certificates  Recognised horticultural qualification and/or relevant experience  Good knowledge of plants, lawns and trees  Hardworking, conscientious and reliable

4) Main Terms and Conditions of Employment  The appointment is subject to an initial probationary period of six months, which may be extended at the College's discretion.  The post is part-time based on 37.5 hours per week, excluding lunch breaks. Normal working days are Monday to Friday, 8.00 am – 4.15 pm (there will be some weekend work required from time to time – this will be organised by the Head Gardener.  The salary will be on Scale Point 28 [£20,989].  Holiday entitlement will be 33 days per year, including 8 public holidays. It may be necessary to work on public holidays which occur during Term time;  Under the rules of Auto Enrolment the post holder will be enrolled in the Universities Superannuation Scheme.  The post is subject to the Newnham College Staff Handbook and Policies & Procedures; dated July 2007 and subsequent updates which may be amended by the College from time to time.  The post-holder will be entitled to one free meal per day when on duty (when the Catering Department is open).  Car parking will be provided, subject to availability.  Offer of employment: any offer of employment will be made subject to references and completion of a medical questionnaire and proof of your ability to work in the UK

5) Applications Please complete the enclosed application form. Completed application forms (including the names of two professional referees and relevant certificates) should be sent to: The Domestic Bursar, Newnham College, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge CB3 9DF (marked Personal & Confidential) by Friday 19th February 2016.