Hardscaper

About the role

Diocesan School for Girls is seeking a capable and enthusiastic Hardscapes Gardener to join the Grounds team on a permanent, full-time basis. This role supports the school’s purpose of helping young women grow into confident and resilient learners by keeping the campus functional, attractive, and well cared for.

Working under the Grounds Manager, you will be responsible for building, fitting, and maintaining the hardscape features across the outdoor areas of the campus. This includes patios, paths, retaining structures, decking, pergolas, fencing, and outdoor seating or furniture. The role also involves supporting softscape tasks such as preparing garden beds, planting, and assisting with irrigation work.

The work is varied and practical. On some days you may be excavating, setting levels, and installing paving for a new walkway; on others you may be repairing a retaining wall, fitting irrigation components, or helping the wider grounds team prepare the school for a major event. You will need to interpret plans, use landscaping tools and machinery, and apply strong attention to detail from start to finish.

This position will suit someone who enjoys outdoor work, takes pride in high-quality workmanship, and likes seeing a project through to completion.

Responsibilities

• Construct, install, and maintain hardscape features across the campus, including patios, walkways, retaining walls, decking, pergolas, fencing, and outdoor furniture.
• Support soft landscaping work such as garden bed preparation, planting, and irrigation tasks.
• Carry out excavation, levelling, paving, concrete-related work, and other site preparation duties.
• Repair and maintain existing outdoor structures and campus landscape features.
• Read, understand, and work from plans and instructions.
• Operate landscaping tools, plant, and machinery safely and effectively.
• Work with the wider Grounds team to prepare outdoor spaces for school functions and events.
• Maintain a safe, organised, and tidy work area.

Requirements

• Proven background in landscaping, hardscaping, construction, or grounds maintenance.
• Practical experience, apprenticeship training, or a horticulture qualification is preferred.
• Ability to operate landscaping tools and machinery with confidence.
• Knowledge of irrigation systems and outdoor construction methods will be an advantage.
• Physical fitness and the ability to handle manual outdoor work.
• Ability to interpret plans accurately.
• Comfortable working alone as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Full driver’s licence is desirable.
• Strong commitment to safe working practices and maintaining a neat work environment.
• Reliable, conscientious, and aligned with a school environment that values professionalism and community pride.

Perks

• Permanent full-time position at a respected school campus in Epsom, Auckland.
• Competitive pay.
• Ongoing learning, training, and development opportunities.
• Access to an onsite fitness centre, swimming pool, and physiotherapy services.
• Free covered parking for cars, bikes, and scooters when available.
• Regular wellness activities and social events.
• Supportive team culture within a well-maintained and scenic campus.

Additional information

This is a permanent full-time role based at Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland, New Zealand. The position falls within Trades & Services. Applications were requested through the employer’s careers page by 5:00 pm on Friday, 3 July 2026. Questions about the vacancy could be directed to Katie Ratcliffe at kratcliffe@diocesan.school.nz.

Who can apply

Applicants with hands-on experience in hardscaping, landscaping, construction, or grounds maintenance who are physically fit, safety-conscious, and able to contribute positively to a school campus environment are encouraged to apply. Candidates with relevant trade or horticulture training will be well suited to the role.