The City of Edinburgh Council
Senior Gardener (Openspace Team) - Inch Park Depot
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Senior Gardener – Openspace Team
Location: Inch Park Depot Salary: £27,257–£29,850 per annum Hours: 36 per week
About the Role
This Senior Gardener position is part of the Parks & Greenspace Operational Service in Edinburgh. As a key member of our horticultural team, you will undertake horticultural, landscaping, and grounds maintenance tasks across various locations within the city to enhance Edinburgh’s parks, gardens, and public spaces.
Based at one of our operational depots, your role will involve working autonomously, often in challenging conditions, while supporting teamwork, training, and operational best practices within a closely managed gardening squad.
Key Responsibilities
Day-to-Day Work
- Perform horticultural, landscaping, and grounds maintenance tasks across diverse locations within the city.
- Operate vehicles, machinery, and equipment efficiently and safely in various weather and ground conditions.
- Assist in preparing, reviewing, and updating operational risk assessments to ensure compliance with health and safety protocols.
- Use handheld technology to record work, log instructions, and report any issues or problems encountered.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Work under the direction of a Supervisor Gardener, assisting in daily team management and fostering effective collaboration.
- Provide mentorship and training to new starts, apprentices, students, and shadow workers as needed.
- Deputise for Supervisor roles when required, supporting the operational continuity of the service.
- Promote teamwork and ensure adherence to operational standards and best practices.
Safety & Operational Compliance
- Adhere to health and safety guidelines, including lone-working policies.
- Work independently (both alone and in teams) in all weather conditions, including project areas in or near moving traffic.
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Skill Application & Continuous Improvement
- Apply knowledge of horticulture and parks/greenspace maintenance to optimise outcomes.
- Contribute to determining work practices and setting standards for daily operations.
Requirements
Qualifications & Experience
- A relevant qualification to level 2 (SVQ 2 equivalent) in horticulture or verifiable experience demonstrating the necessary skills.
- Experience demonstrating the ability to operate safely in diverse work environments, including heavy manual labour and unsupervised tasks.
- A strong understanding of health and safety practices, including lone working and working in live situations.
Ideal Candidate Skills
- Practical experience with vehicles, machinery, and tools used in horticulture and landscape maintenance (e.g., strimmers, mowers, vehicles).
- Ability to work efficiently under pressure and adapt to shifting priorities.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to training and peer mentoring.
- Willingness to maintain high standards of cleanliness, order, and plant care.
Working Conditions & Environment
- Requires lengthy periods of heavy manual labour.
- Employed to handle tasks in rain, snow, and adverse ground conditions.
- Work may involve roadside or construction sites where safety compliance is critical.
About The City of Edinburgh Council
Our Purpose
The City of Edinburgh Council is dedicated to enhancing opportunities for the city’s 500,000+ residents through dedicated workforce contributions across vital sectors like parks, greenspace, and community services. Join us to play an active role in shaping a thriving, fulfilling environment for future generations.
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Our Values & Culture
Our core Behaviours—Respect, Integrity, and Flexibility underpin our mission to create a supportive workplace where every colleague feels valued and respected. Our approach ensures you’re matched with a role that aligns with your strengths and those of our community.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
We commit to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, ensuring our workforce reflects the vibrant, varied population of Edinburgh. Underrepresented groups—women, LGBT+ individuals, minoritised and disabled individuals, neurodivergent individuals, and care-experienced colleagues—are actively encouraged to apply.
We offer a Disability Confident Employer Scheme guarantee interviews to qualified disabled and care-experienced candidates. Extended flexibility includes reasonable adjustments for interviews and workplace preferences.
Colleague Support & Wellbeing
Supporting work–life balance is central to our policies:
- Flexible working arrangements available.
- Comprehensive support services, including counselling, occupational health, and mental wellbeing resources.
- Health and wellbeing initiatives, from events to learning opportunities.
Bringing Your Behaviours to Work
Our interview process assesses not only skills and experience but also your alignment with Our Behaviours (Respect, Integrity, and Flexibility). Share how these principles guide your approach to your work.
Resources & Further Information
- Our Behaviours: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/work-us/behaviours
- Flexible Working: Happy to discuss—please state during application.
- Follow us on @edincounciljobs for updates.
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