Job Description – Gardener

Client: Southern Housing

Job Title: Gardener

Department: Estate Services

Location: Various Southern Housing estates and neighbourhoods

Reports to: Estate Services Supervisor / Grounds Maintenance Team Leader

Job Purpose

To maintain and improve the appearance, safety and overall condition of Southern Housing’s estates, communal gardens and outdoor spaces. The postholder will carry out general gardening, grounds maintenance and estate upkeep duties, ensuring that communal areas are clean, tidy, safe and welcoming for residents.

The role involves travelling between different housing estates and neighbourhoods, so a full, valid UK driving licence is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out general gardening and grounds maintenance across Southern Housing estates and communal outdoor spaces.
• Mow lawns, strim grass, trim hedges, prune shrubs and maintain flowerbeds.
• Weed paths, borders, planted areas and communal gardens.
• Plant flowers, shrubs and other greenery as required.
• Maintain communal green spaces, lawns, landscaped areas and other external grounds.
• Undertake litter picking and remove leaves, weeds, branches and other garden debris.
• Clear and dispose of green waste safely and in accordance with relevant procedures.
• Maintain the cleanliness and appearance of pathways, communal entrances, courtyards and surrounding estate areas.
• Identify and report damage, hazards, fly-tipping, pest issues and any maintenance concerns.
• Operate gardening tools, machinery and equipment safely and in line with health and safety procedures.
• Carry out routine checks and ensure equipment is stored and maintained appropriately.
• Follow risk assessments, safe working practices and relevant COSHH requirements where applicable.
• Work professionally and courteously when dealing with residents, colleagues, contractors and members of the public.
• Report any safeguarding concerns, incidents or health and safety risks to the appropriate supervisor.
• Travel between Southern Housing sites as required to complete scheduled grounds maintenance tasks.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties consistent with the role.

Essential Requirements

• Full, valid UK driving licence and the ability to travel between multiple sites.
• Previous experience in gardening, grounds maintenance, landscaping or a similar outdoor maintenance role.
• Practical knowledge of grass cutting, hedge trimming, pruning, weeding and general garden upkeep.
• Ability to operate basic gardening tools and grounds maintenance equipment safely.
• Good understanding of health and safety procedures when working outdoors.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good time management and the ability to organise daily workloads across different sites.
• Physically fit and able to undertake manual tasks, including lifting, bending and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Reliable, punctual and committed to maintaining high standards of service.
• Good communication skills and a customer-focused approach when interacting with residents.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working on housing estates, communal residential grounds or social housing properties.
• Experience using powered gardening equipment, such as strimmers, hedge cutters and lawn mowers.
• Knowledge of safe green waste disposal and environmental practices.
• Relevant gardening or horticultural qualifications.
• Experience working for a housing association, local authority or grounds maintenance contractor.

Working Arrangements

• The role is predominantly outdoors and involves working across multiple Southern Housing estates.
• The postholder must be prepared to work in different weather conditions.
• Travel between sites is an essential part of the role.
• All duties must be completed in accordance with Southern Housing’s policies, procedures and health and safety requirements.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be practical, hardworking, reliable and proactive, with a positive attitude towards maintaining attractive and well-kept communal environments. They will take pride in their work, demonstrate respect for residents and colleagues, and contribute to Southern Housing’s aim of providing safe, clean and welcoming neighbourhoods.

Please note: A full, valid UK driving licence is an essential requirement for this position.