Keith Vass
Summary
Highly skilled horticulturist with extensive expertise in garden planning, grounds management, and plant identification. Demonstrates strong attention to detail, excellent verbal communication, and adaptability to changing work demands. Proficient in operating garden machinery, pesticide application, and mechanical equipment handling. Known for creative skills, innovative solutions, and supportive team work. Committed to maintaining high standards of customer service while ensuring efficient organising and time management. Career goal: To leverage horticultural knowledge and practical skills in a dynamic environment that values sustainable gardening practices.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2034
2034
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Head gardener
First Port
Greenhithe, Kent
2024.08 - 2025.03
Gardener
HMP Standford hill
Sheerness, Kent
2023.01 - 2023.10
Gardener
Green & Grafty
2020.01 - 2023.01
Gardener
Chamonix Estates
2017.01 - 2019.01
Gardener
Coblands Landscapes
2016.04 - 2016.10
Gardener
Ruskin's Trees & Landscapes
2012.01 - 2016.01
Gardener
Countryside Properties
2005.01 - 2012.01
Education
N.C.H. - horticulture
Hadlow college
Hadlow, Kent 1988.09 - 1990.06
City & Guilds level 1 & 2 - horticulture
Canterbury college
Canterbury, Kent 1986.09 - 1988.06
C.S.E. qualifications - Maths, English, Science, Economics & commerce, Geography
Robert Napier secondary school
Gillingham, Kent 1980.09 - 1985.05
National Diploma -
Grounds Maintenance
Skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Adaptable to changing work demands
- Polite customer service
- Creative skills and innovative
- Patience and perseverance
- Very reliable and excellent time management
- Good practical skills
- Supportive team worker
- Experience of operating garden machinery
- Garden planning
- Botanical terminology
- Mechanical equipment handling
- Mulching technique
- Pruning proficiency
- Experience with power tools
- Compost making
- Efficient organising
- Strimmer use
- Perennial border design
- Garden restoration
- Plant identification
- Shrub maintenance
- Lawnmower operating
- Grounds management
- Hedge cutting
- Hanging baskets maintenance
- Planting trees, grass and plants
- Pesticide application
- Soil preparation
- Pesticide safe handling
- Driving licence
- Horticultural knowledge
- Lawnmower maintenance
- Small digger operation
- Turf maintenance
- Seasonal planting planning
- Landscape maintenance knowledge
- Climbing plants training
- Garden safety measures
- Biodiversity conservation awareness
- Garden design creativity
Accomplishments
- Working on interesting projects including St Mary's Island
- Setting up and running my own business
- Positive feedback for being hardworking and having a pleasant attitude
- Completing projects within agreed timeframes
- Given responsibility for training new staff and being a key holder
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head gardener
First Port
2024.08 - 2025.03
Gardener
HMP Standford hill
2023.01 - 2023.10
Gardener
Green & Grafty
2020.01 - 2023.01
Gardener
Chamonix Estates
2017.01 - 2019.01
Gardener
Coblands Landscapes
2016.04 - 2016.10
Gardener
Ruskin's Trees & Landscapes
2012.01 - 2016.01
Gardener
Countryside Properties
2005.01 - 2012.01
N.C.H. - horticulture
Hadlow college
1988.09 - 1990.06
City & Guilds level 1 & 2 - horticulture
Canterbury college
1986.09 - 1988.06
C.S.E. qualifications - Maths, English, Science, Economics & commerce, Geography
Robert Napier secondary school
1980.09 - 1985.05
National Diploma -
Grounds Maintenance