The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

EFM Landscape Services provides high-quality landscape services throughout the University's portfolio of high-quality external spaces. Our diverse external green spaces present a significant opportunity to enhance the reputation of the university's world-class estate, create a positive first impression, enhance sustainability and provide opportunities to improve wellbeing. The successful candidate will provide effective, wide-ranging soft landscape activity and occasional small hard landscaping works. Your flexibility, enthusiasm, and diverse skill set will be an asset as you will be part of the team that implements a multi-skilled service at locations across the central campus and beyond. The successful applicant will have a positive attitude to change and continuous improvement, evidencing commitment to Integrated Management System (IMS) principles. You will work closely with the EFM landscape strategy, management plans and biodiversity action plan. The substantive role is operational, active and physical, requiring regular manual handling, use of power tools, vibration-causing equipment and driving TUOS vehicles. You will be a good communicator and be able to form positive working relationships with a wide range of people, both within the university and outside.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Support the Landscape Supervisors with effective seasonal and scheduled landscape operations.

• Liaise with contacts throughout own work area, knowing who the key individuals are.

• To physically carry out a range of landscape management and maintenance activities, including mowing, strimming, blowing, hedge cutting and planting

• To physically carry out a range of hard landscape repairs to include paving, pointing  and minor repairs

• Demonstrate competent use of landscape tools and equipment and a willingness to undertake further training.

• To work across all TUOS locations and to carry out lone independent  work as required 

• Monitor and review works carried out by yourself and others 

• Able to carry out minor reactive building works such as paving repairs and pointing

• Promote the landscape services by consistently striving to improve standards and levels of service delivery across the green spaces.

• Comply with current health and safety legislation when carrying out tasks across all locations of the University. 

• Provide care and consideration for plants when requiring species-specific care, inc. watering, deadheading,  division and pruning.

• To respond effectively to customer queries using your knowledge and experience, and assess when to involve more experienced team members  

• Report any site-related health and safety issues to your operational supervisor as soon as reasonably practicable. 

• Ensure all mandatory training is carried out in line with IMS compliance objectives. 

• Ensure all the University’s policies and procedures are correctly pursued in all tasks. 

• Assist all Landscape Service sub-teams as required, appointed by the Landscape Operations Manager via the weekly rota. 

• As a member of our Professional staff, you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework. Please follow this link for further information: Sheffield Professional Framework.

• To play a proactive role in the effective delivery of the cold weather programme 

• Always represent EFM positively and professionally

• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will consist of an in person interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact admin-engmain@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 10/03/2026 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.