Trainee Gardener

2 Year Fixed Term Contract, Full Time (39 hours per week)

*Please note that we do not currently offer any Tier 2 sponsorship*.

About the role

The JRHT Landscapes department plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing the outdoor spaces for the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trusts portfolio of assets and communities we manage. Our primary goal is to create, preserve and manage safe, attractive and functional green spaces for our residents while promoting well-being, community engagement, and sustainability.

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Trainee Gardener to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to start a career in horticulture, with the chance to gain hands-on experience in all aspects of garden maintenance and care. The ideal candidate will have a passion for plants, the outdoors, and a willingness to learn and develop their gardening skills under the guidance of experienced professionals.

Assisting in the routine maintenance of garden areas, including lawns, flower beds, shrubs, trees, and hedges, you’ll participate in planting, pruning, weeding, and general upkeep of garden spaces and learn how to properly use and maintain garden tools and machinery (e.g., lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers).

About you

Our ideal candidate will have…

• Strong interest in horticulture and gardening with a desire to learn.


• Physical fitness and the ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions.


• Good communication skills and the ability to work well as part of a team.


• A positive attitude, willingness to take direction, and eagerness to develop new skills.


• Basic understanding of gardening practices.


• A good level of attention to detail and a willingness to maintain high standards of garden care.


• Knowledge of health and safety – including PPE, safe operation of use of machinery and equipment.

How to apply

If you share our passion and this role sounds like you, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Please submit your CV and supporting information via our online application platform.

The closing date for applications is 2nd March 2025.

Interviews will take place on Monday 3rd March 2025.

We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward should enough quality applications be received prior to the current closing date.

Additional Information

We are a values driven organisation and our values drive our behaviours. We’re at our best when we’re continually building on trust, showing we care and making a difference – and we hope others will do the same. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace, where all colleagues can be themselves.

In support of our approach to flexible working, we are happy to receive applications from those seeking full-time employment, as well as those who may want to share the role on a part-time basis. When making your application, please state whether you want to be considered for either full or part-time work and, if part-time, the number of hours per week you would be looking for.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At JRHT we believe in giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or social economic background. We positively encourage applications from people with experience of living in poverty.

As part of our commitment to equity and specifically anti-racism, we operate an anonymised recruitment process so that bias is eliminated from the shortlisting process.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. This means that we are committed to the recruitment, progression and retention of disabled individuals. We offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you have a disability, please tell us if you would like to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.