Apprentice Horticulture Estate worker

Summary

Are you passionate about working outdoors and eager to learn how to manage and maintain beautiful natural spaces? Epping Forest is looking for an enthusiastic Apprentice Estate Worker to join our team, supporting the upkeep of the Forest and its surrounding lands. If you’re enthusiastic about horticulture, physically fit, we’d love to hear from you!

Annual wage

£24,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

City of London Corporation staff can take advantage of the pension scheme. They also receive discounts and special offers for a wide range of products and services.

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:00pm with 45-minute unpaid lunch. Flexibility may be required for business needs.

35 hours a week

Possible start date

Saturday 2 November

Duration

2 Years 6 Months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Purpose of Post:

To work under the guidance of the Estate Worker, Estate Supervisor, and Estate Manager while participating in a structured training program designed to develop practical skills in estate management.

The Apprentice Estate Worker will assist with a range of maintenance tasks around Epping Forest, gaining hands-on experience and formal training to support their progression within the field of environmental and estate management.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Assisting the Estate Worker and Estate Supervisor with day-to-day maintenance tasks, including vegetation control, litter collection, and the upkeep of paths, car parks, and public spaces
Learning and participating in the repair and maintenance of Forest assets, such as outdoor furniture (benches, gates, and signage), ensuring high standards of work under supervision
Supporting routine groundskeeping activities, including mowing, hedge trimming, and clearing of walkways, while adhering to health and safety guidelines
Assisting in the construction, repair, and resurfacing of paths and other infrastructure, under the guidance of senior staff, while developing technical skills in these areas
Participating in public events such as tree planting or educational workshops, learning how to help with event setup and support
Assisting with incident responses such as fly-tipping removal, minor flood management, and other emergency support tasks, under supervision
Supporting routine inspections and checks on Forest facilities, including meter readings and basic inspections of lakes, ponds, culverts, and dams
Learning how to safely operate and maintain basic tools and machinery (such as mowers, strimmers, and hand tools) under supervision, ensuring equipment is used and stored safely
Assisting with stock checks of materials and tools, reporting issues to the Estate Worker or Supervisor and ensuring proper care of equipment
Learning about and applying health and safety regulations, including the preparation of risk assessments, safe working practices, and correct manual handling techniques

Job Description:

Developing communication skills by interacting positively with Forest visitors and team members, learning to provide helpful information and report any concerns to supervisors
Gaining knowledge of basic plant and machinery maintenance, learning to maintain records and service logs, and assisting with routine upkeep tasks
Actively engaging in a structured training program, attending classroom-based training sessions as well as on-the-job learning, to develop practical skills and knowledge of estate management
Gaining experience in promoting the City of London’s Equal Opportunities Policy and supporting inclusiveness across Epping Forest and related activities
To undertake any additional duties as required by the Estate Worker, Estate Supervisor, or Estate Manager, appropriate to the apprentice’s training level

Skills & Attributes Required:

Willingness to learn and develop practical estate management skills through both on-the-job training and formal education
Ability to follow instructions and work under close supervision in a team environment
Enthusiasm for working outdoors and contributing to the maintenance of a natural environment
Basic physical fitness and a commitment to working in various weather conditions
Interest in developing a knowledge of health and safety standards, including manual handling and risk assessment
Good communication skills and a willingness to engage with the public and colleagues
A positive, proactive attitude with the ability to adapt to a range of different tasks
Commitment to attending and completing all required training sessions and assessments as part of the apprenticeship program

Where you’ll work

Epping Forest

Nursery Rd,

Epping

IG10 4AE

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONDON

Your training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

(Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).

(Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.

(Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.

(Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.

(Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.

(Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.

(Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.

(Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.

(Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).

(Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).

(Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.

(Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.

(Core) Install turf for situation.

(Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.

(Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.

(Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.

(Landscape construction) Measure and set out an uncomplicated site in preparation for landscape construction activities.

(Landscape construction) Use free hand cutting and or bench cutting of hard landscape materials using abrasive wheels.

(Landscape construction) Repair constructed landscape features (simple and noncomplex) for example re-grouting, re-sanding, damaged fencing.

(Landscape construction) Construct paved feature for example path, patio or shed base. Including setting levels, sub bases, laying bases, finishing.

(Landscape construction) Construct vertical landscape features including fences, ornamental vertical features, and walls.

(Landscape construction) Install drainage in landscaping.

(Landscape construction) Construct horizontal landscape features (excluding paving).

(Horticulture) Propagate plants by cuttings and seed sowing (this might be indoors or outdoors). Including selection of suitable growing media and or soil.

(Horticulture) Provide aftercare to recently installed turf and maintain established turf or species rich meadows including irrigation, maintenance, monitoring health and protection from use.

(Horticulture) Identify if plants are suitable to site, purpose and aesthetics.

(Horticulture) Maintain soft landscapes for example - staking or support, division, seasonal clearance, and re-planting.

(Horticulture) Monitor and control plant pests, pathogens, and disorders using basic control methods (including application of chemicals or organic equivalents).

(Horticulture) Plant herbaceous and seasonal planting (for example bedding, herbs or bulbs).

(Horticulture) Prune plants to achieve healthy growth and form (including natural habit and formal or trained form).