Hadlow College is looking for a dedicated and skilled Estates Grounds Person to become an integral part of our vibrant Horticulture Team. If you thrive outdoors, take pride in maintaining high standards, and want to contribute to the upkeep of a dynamic land-based college campus, we’d love to hear from you!

Our stunning 10-acre site includes a diverse range of landscaped areas—from formal gardens and woodland walks to tranquil lakes and Japanese-style spaces. This role offers a unique opportunity to work across these settings, while developing and applying a broad range of practical horticultural skills.

Key Responsibilities
• Maintain and enhance the College’s formal gardens and wider campus grounds.
• Carry out tasks such as turf care, hedge and border maintenance, planting, and weed control.
• Operate and maintain a variety of horticultural machinery and tools.
• Ensure outdoor areas remain safe, clean, and visually appealing throughout the year.
• Support the Horticulture Department in meeting its daily operational and educational objectives.

What We’re Looking For
• A genuine enthusiasm for horticulture and grounds maintenance.
• Proven experience in estate or grounds care, ideally within an educational or public setting.
• Competence in using horticultural tools and machinery safely and effectively.
• A proactive, reliable, and collaborative approach to work.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a hands-on role in maintaining one of Kent’s most inspiring educational landscapes, while working alongside a knowledgeable and passionate team.

Apply today and help us keep Hadlow College flourishing!

The Role:

Where you’ll work: This role is based at our Hadlow campus.

Your hours: 42.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per annum.

Your pay: £29,492 per annum

The College:

North Kent College (including Hadlow College) is proudly rated as an Ofsted ‘Good’ provider, with ‘Outstanding’ learner behaviours and attitudes (April 2024). With four campuses across Kent and 4,000 students, we strive to equip the young people who study here with an inclusive and innovative education experience to enhance their future career prospects, which, as noted by Ofsted, is supported through our high-quality, industry standard facilities. Each and every staff member plays a key part in delivering the success of our learners’ experience, and we want those who join our curriculum and support teams to share our passion in achieving this.

The Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary, you can expect the following:

• 33 days’ annual leave (including Christmas / New Year break) plus bank holidays (full time equivalent).
• Enrolment onto the People’s Partnership pension scheme (as part of the staff of North Kent College Business Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of North Kent College).
• Access to free parking and a range of onsite facilities, including gyms, restaurants and coffee shops.

How to Apply:

If this sounds like the next role for you, please visit the North Kent College staff vacancies page to see the full job description and apply.

Please note that the closing date for applications is 20 August 2025, with interviews scheduled to take place on 1 September 2025.

North Kent College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and all staff have a responsibility to share and maintain this commitment. In line with the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, appropriate safeguarding checks (including an enhanced DBS check) will be undertaken on all individuals selected for appointment. Posts at the College, a specified establishment where the work gives opportunity for contact with children, are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. It is an offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. Please be advised that, again in line with ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, shortlisted candidates (who wish to accept an invite to interview) will be required to complete and submit prior to their interview a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Further guidance / information from the Ministry of Justice can be found on GOV.UK.