Job Description

Information for the role of Gardener (Part time)

Salary 16,668 per annum for 24 hours per week


An excellent opportunity to join a prestigious organisation in a varied and fulfilling role in a small friendly team. Your day to day duties will include:

Helping to maintain a pleasing and tidy appearance to the Downing College gardens and grounds Routine maintenance of College lawns, borders, planets, woodland areas and hard landscaping.

To be considered for this interesting role, you will need to bring:

Previous relevant gardening experience. Knowledge of seasonal lawn and garden requirements. Good verbal communication with a good command of spoken English.

The ideal candidate will be confident to work with minimal supervision, and will enjoy working as part of a team. NVQ level 2 in Amenity Horticulture or equivalent would be advantageous.

About Downing College

Founded in 1800, Downing College in the University of Cambridge has a unique and magnificent setting among twenty acres of lawns and trees, yet is located in the centre of Cambridge. The open landscape has a superb collection of neo-classical buildings from the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Those living and working in Downing enjoy a beautiful environment unique in Cambridge in its spaciousness.


The College is composed of approximately 50 Fellows and 165 non-academic staff and its aim is to help all students to develop their academic ability and personal potential during their time here. We pride ourselves on being a friendly and informal community for Fellows, staff and students alike. Set within this expansive and beautiful landscape, Downing also has a thriving conference business and provides customers with a choice of superior conference, meeting and theatre facilities.

Details of the role

The post of Gardener is a permanent part time role. Applications are invited from suitably experienced candidates.


Hours of work are from 7.30 am - 4.00 pm, three days per week, with an unpaid 30 minute lunch break, although there is potential for a degree of flexibility on start/finish times and working days. The annual salary is 16,668 per annum for 24 hours per week (step 29 on the College Salary Scale). In addition to the salary, we offer an attractive benefits package including:

35 days Holiday (including bank holidays and Christmas closure period) Discretionary Bonus scheme Free College Lunches on working days Pension scheme (with matched contribution up to 10%) Free access to an Employee Assistance programme 24/7 Healthcare Cash scheme (e.g. for prescriptions, dental, optical, physiotherapy) Free Life Assurance cover Optional subsidised private medical scheme Cycle purchase scheme, giving substantial savings on cycle purchase Free use of on-site Gym facilities Free on-site Car parking Social events An additional Day Off for your Birthday!

A full list of benefits is available from the College's HR Office. (Please note that these benefits are non-contractual and may be amended or withdrawn at our discretion.)

Application Process

To apply for this position click "Apply Now" on the advert posting on our website (Staff vacancies | Downing College Cambridge) and complete an application form. You are able to upload your CV in support of your application.

Closing date: midday, Tuesday 8 July 2025. Please note that the closing date for this post may be brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.


Applications are welcomed from a broad range of backgrounds. All applicants will be contacted once shortlisting has taken place. Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.


Applicants who declare a disability will be offered an interview if they meet the minimum criteria for the job.

We are pleased to be able offer this document in an accessible format,

please contact HR (recruitment@dow.cam.ac.uk) if you wish to receive this advert and role profile or an application form in a different, accessible format, e.g. large print.

For further information or in event of queries, please contact:

The HR Office

Email:recruitment@dow.cam.ac.uk


Tel: 01223 334820


Downing College


Cambridge


CB2 1DQ