An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen to join a fast-growing local business, creating, installing and maintaining custom ponds and water features.
DU Waterscapes have become the leading specialists in creating and maintaining bespoke aquatic art, and bringing gardens to life throughout the South West of England. From small back garden fountains to larger natural lakes, we like to get stuck in with a positive mindset, whilst always maintaining our high levels of client satisfaction.
You will be joining a small, friendly team in an ambitious and expanding company and we would love for you to bring your own passion, skills and experience to help us grow. The role is based from our yard outside of Ilminster and Aqua Eden our sister company and the South Wests newest Water Garden Centre and Design Studio. Projects tend to be within an hour and a half’s radius with occasional distance projects requiring time away, so a full, clean driving licence is required for driving the company vehicle.
This job involves working in a small and fast paced team to create beautiful waterscapes within the allocated time frame that encourages native wildlife as well creating a haven for our clients to enjoy. There is also regular maintenance required to keep these features looking their best. This job would suit a self motivated, positive and proactive person with a great customer facing personality and presentation, whatever the weather.
Although training will be given, we are looking for someone to bring their landscaping experience to this dynamic team, preferably with knowledge of working with large machinery and hardscaping although all members of the team are expected to be capable on all aspects of the build. A passion and knowledge of plants and wildlife is essential. The work involves being on your feet all day and heavy lifting and so a high level of general fitness is required. There is potential for the right candidate to head the team in the future.
Job Responsibilities:
- You will be responsible for carrying out solo maintenance visits by the end of your 3 month probationary period, training given. This will include greeting clients, assessing the works to be done from regular filter cleans and plant cutting back, small plumbing repairs or replacements and independent timekeeping.
- On site, your role will be to assist Dan building water features. Over the next year or more, you will be learning the different aspects of pond building from plumbing up the components, wiring in low voltage lighting, artistry of rock setting and building, hardscaping of patios, paths and decking, planting both aquatic and terrestrial and the science of how and why we build our ponds in this specific way. Online learning modules are available and you will be encouraged and supported to further your background knowledge in whichever way you enjoy learning.
- In the yard, you will be responsible for keeping the site tidy, tools in good working order and maintaining our sister site Aqua Eden with our display gardens.
Reports to:
Foreman and Head Office
Job Purpose:
- To build beautiful water features within the allocated time frame within a dynamic team.
- To maintain ponds to a high standard
This role will involve:
- Working within a team in a efficient and timely manner.
- Cleaning and maintaining bespoke water gardens, ponds and water features.
- Building ponds with a mix of hand and machinery digging.
- Plumbing of pumps and filters.
- Handling large rocks and materials by hand or by machine - full training given.
- Planting both aquatic and terrestrial.
- Use of a variety of hand and power tools in a safe and competent manner. (Some on-site training will be given.
- Keeping a clean and tidy site.
- Working at an efficient pace, proactively thinking ahead so as to complete ponds in the set timeframes.
- Pragmatic problem solving to help clients have a beautiful waterscape to enjoy throughout the year.
- Being self motivated and able to work independently and effectively.
- Helping to keep the yard clean and tidy.
- Completing pond maintenance, particularly during the winter months.
- Prior knowledge of ponds or plants, landscaping, hardscaping and heavy machinery is desirable.
- Clean driving licence.
- Desire to expand and increase your knowledge and skillset within the industry is paramount!
Essential attributes and qualifications:
- Full clean UK car driving licence and reliable transport to and from HQ/ project locations.
- Good physical health and fitness.
- Ability to move heavy objects safely.
- Outdoor working sometimes in adverse weather conditions.
- Ability to follow instruction correctly and safely yet still be self-motivated.
- Working to the best of one’s ability, maintaining the company’s high standard.
- A keen attention to detail and a flair for design.
- Willingness to learn, training will be provided.
- Passionate about the outdoors and our native environment (knowledge of flora and fauna).
- Experience in manual labour.
- Must not be afraid to get stuck in and mucky!
- Great communication skills with customers, team members and management.
- Positive mindset and enthusiastic.
Desirable
- Experience with operating machinery and equipment such as an Excavator, Dumper and Mini Loader.
- Experience with landscaping and in the horticulture or aquatics industries.
- Experience with hardscaping.
Working hours:
40 hours per week between Monday to Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm. Possible weekend work and later nights due to shows and events which you will be expected to attend. Occasional out-of-county larger projects where you might be required to work away for project duration.
Wage negotiable dependant on relevant and proven experience.
Internal promotions available.
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Ability to influence the direction of this small and evolving company with your own passions and knowledge
PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU!
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £24,500.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Please outline below how many years experience you have in either of the following; Hard Landscaping, Horticulture, Aquatics, General Landscaping? If you have experience in another field you feel that would be valuable for our team please outline that. (PLEASE include the FIELD and the number of YEARS)
- Please let us know why your experience makes you suitable for this role?
- Please outline your experience in heavy machinery?
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Full clean driving license (required)
Work Location: On the road
