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Job summary

Main area
Gardner
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 2
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday 0700-1500)
Job ref
388-7460139-CORP
Employer
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Torbay And South Devon Trust
Town
Torquay
Salary
£24,465 Per Annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
24/10/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust logo

Gardener

NHS AfC: Band 2

Job overview

A gardener in the NHS plays a vital role in maintaining the outdoor spaces of hospitals and healthcare facilities, helping to create calm, welcoming environments for patients, staff, and visitors.

Key Responsibilities

  • Mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and maintaining flower beds

  • Planting, weeding, and seasonal landscaping

  • Sweeping paths, clearing snow/ice, and ensuring safe walkways

  • Designing and creating therapeutic garden areas for patient wellbeing

  • Occasionally combining duties with caretaking or estates maintenance

Skills & Qualities Needed

  • Interest in horticulture and working outdoors in all weather

  • Physical fitness for manual tasks like digging and lifting

  • Ability to use hand and power tools safely

  • Good communication and teamwork skills

  • An eye for design and attention to detail

Main duties of the job

  • To assist in grounds maintenance operations on the Torbay Hospital site and community sites; the sites provide diverse landscape which includes hard surfaced areas grass and woodland areas and a wide range of mixed borders and flower beds
  •          Provide top quality grounds maintenance service based on the principals of sound horticultural practise
  •          Provide a litter picking and litter bin emptying service where the grounds maintenance specification for individual sites requires it and in addition be prepared to pressure wash external areas on request
  •          Undertake regular maintenance to support the site safety requirements in line with health and safety policies
  •          Fencing

Working for our organisation

Why Work With Us

Working with colleagues in and friendly and supportive team, where everyone has the opportunity to be the best they can be and ensures our diverse experiences are valued and respected. 

Supporting our patients, staff and visitors in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Daily contact with:

o   Senior Gardener

o   Gardens Departmental Staff

o   Site Services Manager

o   Members of the public/patients

o   Frequency of contact – weekly

o   Staff including works department staff, cleaners, porters and transport departmental staff

o   Clients (mental health)

·         Monthly contact with:

o   Hospital League of Friends

o   Medical and ward staff

o   Sustainability and Site Services LEAD

·         Annual contact with:

External contractors working for the department

Person specification

Application Form Scoring

Essential criteria
  • Full Driving License
  • Experience working in a team
  • Good communication Skills
  • Capable of pushing and lifting reasonable weights
Desirable criteria
  • Tractor License
  • Weed Spraying

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.The Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Disability confident committedArmed Forces Covenant - Silver 2025

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
John Hawkins
Job title
Environment and Waste Operations Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07917957586
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