Vacancy Details

Open Spaces Apprentice - 2 year fixed term contract

Location: Rochford District

Salary: Apprentice rate

Hours: 37 per week

Benefits: Local Government Pension Scheme, generous annual leave, flexi scheme, staff discounts

Our culture and values:  We like our staff to be proactive and innovative. Being customer focused and willing to maximise your potential at work are expected. We all work together to achieve the very best for our residents which sometimes means getting involved in projects and trying new tasks outside of your day to day job role. We love our staff to suggest new ideas and to have enthusiasm to try out new experiences.

The job role  This is an exciting opportunity for a positive and enthusiastic individual to join our dedicated and hardworking Open Spaces Team. We are looking for versatility, pro active, self-motivation and a keen interest in the great outdoors.

As part of your apprenticeship, you will study Level 2 Diploma in Amenity Horticulture at Writtle College, one of the largest and oldest land-based Universities in the UK.

During your work based training, you will be engaged in all aspects of Horticultural work including the use of tractors, heavy grass cutting machinery, tree, shrub and bedding planting, hedge cutting, renovation of sports pitches as well as assisting in the day to day challenges of Open Spaces. You will also be expected to assist in the felling of trees and the coppicing of our ancient woodlands as part of their management plans.

It is essential for a successful candidate to be able to undertake physical and demanding work in all weathers, of all seasons. Work within the Open Spaces team can be challenging, however; this is outweighed by the sense of pride and the self rewarding nature of working as a part of a team within the horticultural industry.

As a local authority, Customer Focus is very important to us and we would expect any successful candidate to act in the upmost professional of manner.

In return you can look forward to an excellent starting point in your Horticultural career and will benefit from working with highly skilled individuals to aid your progression within the industry. In turn, candidates that complete their level 2 Qualification will be considered for the pursuance of Level 3 Diploma and an extension in their employment. This is an interesting and varied role with a real opportunity to make a difference.

For an informal discussion, please contact Adam Aldridge or Kim Smith on 01702 546366.

Interview date: To be confirmed

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided.

It is our policy that if you have not heard back within 3 weeks of the closing date you should assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.