Job Title Neighbourhood Services Operative (gardener) Department Place and transformation, Neighbourhood Services Location Any Neighbourhood Services depot Job Summary Qualified to a minimum of Level 2 City & Guilds or equivalent. To Carry out horticultural and grounds maintenance duties throughout the County Borough to raise standards of public parks and open spaces. Reporting to either Team Leader or Charge Hand to discuss scheduled work programs and forward work programme. Please note:- you will be required to be available to work within any departments within neighbourhood services as priorities require. This may be Waste, Highways, street cleansing or cemeteries and could be on a full range of duties commensurate with the grade. Main Tasks Carrying out a varied range of gardening duties, requiring a minimum amount of supervision and use of own initiative General grounds maintenance duties such as grass cutting, pedestrian and ride on mowers. Use of hand tools such as strimmers, hedge cutters, blowers and any hand tool required to carry out the job. Marking football fields. Repairs to fine turf and playing surfaces. Litter picking, bin emptying. Assisting the arbo team when required. Drive vehicles and pull trailers (with appropriate qualifications). Soil cultivation, digging, forking, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, litter and debris clearing, edging, pruning, seed sowing, bed preparation and planting Lawn maintenance and cultivation Ensuring that all tools, garden equipment and machinery are correctly maintained and defects are reported to ensure they are kept in good and safe working order. Assisting with the construction of landscape schemes Seasonal bedding, removal and planting. Awareness and practising of Health and Safety legislations, ensuring a safe working environment for everyone working or using the councils green spaces. Keeping the van and tool sheds clean and tidy and tools stored securely at all times Use of natural methods for plant protection and pest control, avoiding application of chemicals and pesticides Undergo training as required. Any other duties within other neighbourhood services departments.