Gardener (Part Time) - Boon Lay
Contract Period: From 1 January2027 to 31 December 2027 with an option to extend the Contract for a further period of 1 year.
Working hours:
- Mondays to Fridays: 8:00am to 12:00pm
- Service not required on Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted public holidays
Scope of Services:
Day-to-Day Responsibilities:
- Provide day-to-day care and maintenance of the school’s green spaces and urban farming facilities, including the library planter, urban grow towers, Eco garden and hydroponics system, including watering as required.
- Provide horticultural knowledge, input and advice on matters relating to the care and maintenance of the green spaces, including pruning, staking, fertilising and pest management.
- Regularly inspect the school’s green spaces and undertake minor repairs where required or advise the Teacher-in-Charge where further attention is required.
- Monitor and maintain the health and condition of plants within the school’s green spaces.
- Identify and address pest and fungal problems that may affect the health of plants, including the application of organic pesticides where appropriate.
- Carry out routine trimming, fertilising, mulching, edging and weeding of the green spaces.
- Conduct routine inventory checks and organise gardening and related equipment and stores.
Secondary Tasks and Responsibilities:
A. CCA Support – Environmental Club
- Assist the CCA Teacher-in-Charge during sessions involving the germination, transplanting and harvesting of vegetables.
- Guide and support students during practical activities.
- Assist in preparing materials and equipment required for weekly CCA sessions.
B. Primary 4 Project Work – Urban Farming
- Assist the Project Work Teacher-in-Charge during sessions involving the germination, transplanting and harvesting of vegetables.
- Guide and support students during practical activities.
- Assist in preparing materials and equipment required for Project Work Environmental Education lessons.
- Monitor vegetables for pest infestation and apply organic pesticides where necessary.
- Maintain the cleanliness of the urban farm, including clearing excess soil to prevent blockage of the drainage system.
- Monitor the health of seedlings during germination and after transplanting by students.
- Assist with sowing new batches of seeds or topping up the grow towers with seedlings where the original batches are insufficient.
C. Primary 5 Project Work - Hydroponics
- Assist the Project Work Teacher-in-Charge during sessions involving the germination, transplanting and harvesting of vegetables.
- Assist in preparing materials and equipment required for Project Work Environmental Education lessons.
- Monitor the germination progress of seeds sown by the various classes.
- Assist with sowing new batches of seeds where the original germination is unsuccessful.
- Top up water and nutrients and check the hydroponics system regularly to ensure that it is functioning properly.
- Inspect plants for pest or fungal infestation and carry out appropriate treatment.
- Place ice packs in the hydroponics system regularly, as required, to maintain an appropriate system temperature.
Skills and experience:
Knowledge and Skills in:
- Trimming, pruning and basic tree and plant maintenance;
- Irrigation and irrigation system management;
- Application and safe handling of chemical and organic herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers;
- Soil management and related horticultural activities;
- Sowing, cultivation and propagation of plants, trees and shrubs;
- Cultivation and maintenance of fruit and vegetable plants; and
- Operation and basic troubleshooting of hydroponic systems.
Preferred Experience:
- Prior experience in providing horticultural, gardening or urban farming services in a school environment; and/or
- Prior experience working with or supporting children in an educational or learning environment.