The Republic of Botswana – Ministry of State President, Defence and Security, Serowe District invites applications for 17 Gardener positions tenable at the Serowe College of Education.

These are Permanent and Pensionable Government positions requiring a minimum Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) Certificate.

The advert specifically states Direct Entry, meaning previous gardening experience is not listed as mandatory. Gardening experience will, however, be an added advantage.

Gardener Job Overview

Job Detail	Information
Employer	Ministry of State President, Defence and Security
District	Serowe District
Workplace	Serowe College of Education
Position	Gardener
Number of Positions	X17
Reference Number	ODC/SER/4/4/3 I (2)
Vacancy Circular	No. 2 of 2026
Salary Scale	A2 – P36,444 to P42,024 per annum
Employment Type	Permanent and Pensionable
Leave	20 working days per annum
Minimum Qualification	PSLE Certificate
Experience	Direct Entry
Closing Date	22 September 2026

Main Purpose of the Job

The main purpose of these positions is to:

Perform gardening duties and maintain clean and healthy facility grounds.

Responsibilities

Successful Gardeners will be expected to:

• Prepare seedbeds, including tilling soil.
• Prepare areas/sheds required for gardening activities.
• Sow flower seeds.
• Water seedbeds regularly.
• Determine when seedlings are large enough to transplant or follow planting instructions.
• Prepare plots for planting.
• Transplant seedlings to plots or areas identified by the supervisor.
• Regularly water flowers and other garden plants.
• Identify and remove weeds from lawns.
• Trim hedges.
• Trim lawns to the required level.
• Sweep yards.
• Clear litter from grounds.
• Dump litter at points designated by the supervisor.
• Load refuse and dispose of it at approved Council disposal points.
• Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Requirements

Applicants must possess:

Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) Certificate

The experience requirement is:

Direct Entry

Previous gardening employment is therefore not stated as compulsory.

However:

Experience in gardening will be an added advantage.

Candidates with gardening experience should highlight tasks such as planting, watering, weeding, lawn maintenance, hedge trimming, preparing soil and maintaining grounds.

Key Competencies

The advertisement identifies competencies including:

• Adhering to principles and values.
• Following instructions and procedures.
• Adapting and responding to change.
• Deciding and initiating action.
• Planning and organising.
• Creativity and innovation.

Salary and Benefits

Successful applicants will be appointed on salary scale:

A2 – P36,444 to P42,024 per annum

The positions are Permanent and Pensionable, with 20 working days’ leave per annum.

Benefits include:

• Optional contributory medical aid – Government contributes 80% and employee contributes 20%.
• Contributory Pension Fund – employee contributes 5% and Government contributes 15%.
• Housing and upkeep allowance of P1,105.40 per month.

How to Apply for Gardener X17

Applicants must quote:

Reference Number: ODC/SER/4/4/3 I (2)
Vacancy Circular No. 2 of 2026

Applications must include:

• Detailed and updated CV showing duties.
• Certified copies of certificates.
• Certified copy of Omang.
• At least one recent work-related reference confirming relevant experience, if any.

Important Envelope Instructions

Applications should be placed in a sealed envelope.

Clearly write the following at the top left-hand side of the envelope:

Reference Number + Vacancy Circular Number + Name of Post

Hand-delivered applications should be registered before being deposited into the secure application box at the Administration Office.

Postal Applications

Address applications to:

The District Commissioner
P O Box 93
Serowe

Hand Delivery

Applications may be hand-delivered to:

Rural Administration Center – Serowe
Office of the District Commissioner
Ground Floor, Office No. A3
Administration Office

Hand deliveries are accepted during working hours:

07:30–12:45 and 13:45–16:30

Closing Date

22 September 2026

Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements and are shortlisted will be contacted.

For further information, contact the Administration Office on 4638102.

CV Tips for Gardener Applicants

Put your PSLE Certificate clearly under your education section.

If you have gardening experience, mention genuine skills such as watering plants, preparing seedbeds, planting seedlings, weeding, trimming hedges, lawn maintenance, clearing litter and using gardening tools.

Applicants without previous work experience can still apply because the advertisement states Direct Entry. Focus your CV on your willingness to work outdoors, reliability, physical ability, punctuality and ability to follow instructions.

Possible Gardener Interview Questions

1. Why do you want to work as a Gardener?
2. What do you understand about the duties of a Gardener?
3. How would you prepare a seedbed?
4. How do you know when seedlings are ready to be transplanted?
5. How would you remove weeds from a lawn?
6. Why is regular watering important?
7. What gardening tools have you used?
8. How would you maintain clean grounds?
9. Are you comfortable performing physical work outdoors?
10. How would you follow a supervisor’s planting instructions?
11. What would you do with litter collected from the grounds?
12. Why should we appoint you as a Gardener?