East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Grounds & Gardens Assistant

The closing date is 10 June 2025

Job summary

To maintain the Grounds, Gardens and Buildings' foliage of the Trust and its clients' estate in an attractive, tidy and safe condition in keeping with expected visual impressions.

To minimise the accumulation of litter and rubbish as directed.

This is a great secondment opportunity to work outside during the summer months!

You will be supporting the existing Grounds teams to maintain the two acute hospital sites.

Main duties of the job

To provide Grounds & Gardens maintenance for the Trust and propertiesmanaged through Service Level Agreements (SLA's), working from either the Conquest and Bexhill Hospital plus associated premises.

To provide a visually pleasing, tidy and safe external environment for patients, visitors and staff, particularly to areas forming visitors' first impressions of the grounds.

Keep the grounds, roads, pathways and exteriors to buildings' entrances free from the accumulation of general litter and rubbish.

Keep roads and pathways free of unwanted plant growth unless otherwise directed.

Respond to problems identified in the grounds by Trust and Maintenance Services staff.

To act on professional advice and recommendations to improve the external environment of the Trust and its premises, giving timely information regarding grounds and gardens maintenance.

Use all relevant plant, tools and equipment as necessary.

Whilst on duty always carry designated communication devices (Two-way radios).

Implement and adhere to all appropriate policies and procedures proposing changes as necessary.

Under direction employ only the best practices of plant husbandry and cultivation using environmentally acceptable herbicides and pesticides. Ensure plantage is presented and maintained to best effect.

About us

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £30 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Details

Date posted

27 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year per annum

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

374-JY7884-A

Job locations

ESHT (cross-site working is essential)

ESHT

BN21 2UD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description for further information.

If you have any specific questions about the role that aren't answered in the advert, please contact the appointed manager of this vacancy.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description for further information.

If you have any specific questions about the role that aren't answered in the advert, please contact the appointed manager of this vacancy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE level of education or equivalent including Maths and English
  • Willingness to undertake additional training in line with service needs as listed under desirable

Desirable

  • Horticultural/Agricultural
  • Herbicide/Pesticide - PA1 and PA6 Safe Handing of Use
  • Chainsaw Maintenance, Crosscutting and Felling of Trees
  • Basic Building/Engineering Qualification to Level 2
  • Confined Spaces
  • Manual Handling
  • Breathing Apparatus

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 2 years of grounds and gardens maintenance OR
  • Basic engineering/building work in an acceptable similar environment

Desirable

  • Use of horticultural machinery and equipment e.g. chain saws and mowing machines
  • Application and use of herbicides and pesticide - as above
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE level of education or equivalent including Maths and English
  • Willingness to undertake additional training in line with service needs as listed under desirable

Desirable

  • Horticultural/Agricultural
  • Herbicide/Pesticide - PA1 and PA6 Safe Handing of Use
  • Chainsaw Maintenance, Crosscutting and Felling of Trees
  • Basic Building/Engineering Qualification to Level 2
  • Confined Spaces
  • Manual Handling
  • Breathing Apparatus

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 2 years of grounds and gardens maintenance OR
  • Basic engineering/building work in an acceptable similar environment

Desirable

  • Use of horticultural machinery and equipment e.g. chain saws and mowing machines
  • Application and use of herbicides and pesticide - as above

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

ESHT (cross-site working is essential)

ESHT

BN21 2UD


Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

ESHT (cross-site working is essential)

ESHT

BN21 2UD


Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Facilities Operational Manager

Kevin Hodge

kevinhodge@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

27 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year per annum

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

374-JY7884-A

Job locations

ESHT (cross-site working is essential)

ESHT

BN21 2UD


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)