Estates Operative

Paradigm Housing Group; Letchworth; Hybrid; GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A social housing association in the United Kingdom is seeking an Estates Operative to maintain vibrant, clean outdoor spaces across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Cambridgeshire. This role offers the chance to develop horticultural skills while contributing positively to local communities. Ideal candidates should have grounds-maintenance experience, a clean driving license, and a commitment to safety. Excellent benefits include a competitive salary and generous pension contributions.

Benefits

Annual salary of £33,767.96

25 days holiday, increasing with service

Generous pension scheme with up to 9.5% employer contribution

Family-friendly leave policies

Health cash plan up to £1,800

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds-maintenance and estate servicing.
• Physically fit to handle manual tasks.
• Able to identify risks and hazards.

Responsibilities

• Deliver grounds-maintenance and waste removal services.
• Inspect and maintain the safety of estates.
• Work with customers to handle estate matters.

Skills

Grounds-maintenance experience

Health & Safety knowledge

Good communication

Capacity to work as part of a team

Education

Horticultural qualification

Full Clean Driving Licence

Job description

Bring your passion for horticulture to a growing housing association as an Estates Operative. You’ll help keep our estates clean, safe and vibrant across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, creating healthy outdoor spaces our residents can enjoy. Working 42.5 hours per week, this is a great opportunity to grow your horticultural skills while making a real impact in our communities.

Are you looking to join a growing, values-led organisation with a clear social purpose?

At SettleParadigm, we’re proud to be the largest housing group in the region, managing over 27,000 homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire.

Everything we do is about delivering excellent services, high quality homes, neighbourhoods we can be proud of and maximising number of new affordable homes we build. Through our merger we’ve brought together shared values, skills and ambition, so we can build more affordable homes and make an even bigger difference in the communities we serve

If you're ready to grow your career in a supportive, inclusive environment while helping to shape stronger communities, we’d love to welcome you on our journey. Together, we’re building a better future.

The Estate Service team delivers services that effect our land and residents, the team are remote working, often in teams and deliver grounds-maintenance, bulk waste removal and cleaning services throughout Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

This role will involve keeping our estates clean and safe, ensuring our residents have a healthy environment in which to live and spaces that benefit them. You willuse your skills and initiative to work both in a team and independently to delivery a proactive and responsive service to our residents and the homes we service

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver an amazing grounds-maintenance, litter and bulk waste removal service to our customers.
• Services include grass cutting, hedge maintenance, lawn edging, moss clearance, pruning, maintenance of plants and shrubs, spraying and gritting.
• Land clearance of areas plotted for development.
• Removal of bulk waste which will include assisting finding the culprit so that re-charging can be considered.
• Working with our customers to ensure estate matters are reported.
• Carry out a schedule of inspections and checks to ensure our estates are kept in a safe manner.
• Work closely with colleagues to ensure a brilliant service of offered.
• Ensure work is delivered in a safe manner.
• Other ad-hoc site or customer requirements

What We’re Looking For

Must haves:

• Experience of grounds-maintenance & estate servicing
• Experience of Health & Safety at work
• Capacity to work as part of a team.
• Full Clean Driving Licence
• Must be physically fit enough to carry out manual handling tasks.
• Be able to identify risks and hazards and carry out emergency planning.
• Be a good communicator

Nice to haves:

• Be willing to work towards social purpose goals helping the communities we work in
• Willing to work extra hours and respond to emergency calls outside of work hours.
• Desire to develop and progress in horticulture and continue to broaden experience.
• Hold PA1 / PA6a Spraying Certification
• Have experience of towing trailers

For added brilliance:

• Hold a recognised horticultural qualification

Benefits

At SettleParadigm, we believe in creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. Our comprehensive benefits and rewards package reflects this commitment.

• annual salary: £33,767.96 per annum
• 25 days holiday, increasing with service, plus Christmas closure and buy options
• Generous pension scheme – up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice
• Family-friendly leave: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Health cash plan – claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids’ cover)
• Life cover and income protection
• Flexible working – hybrid options, modern offices, free parking & EV charging

And that’s just the beginning! We’re also thrilled to provide:

• 30+ qualified Mental Health First Aiders available to support
• Car leasing via salary sacrifice (for permanent colleagues subject to conditions)
• Funded training, qualifications & apprenticeships
• 3 paid volunteering days in the local communities
• Peer-recognition rewards platform
• Paid professional subscription (one per year)

Working Hours:

• 42.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday 8:00 - 17:30

Our Commitment

We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from underrepresented groups.

Accessibility and Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required.

Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made.

Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.

Closing Date: 27th November 2025

We reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than the closing date should we find a suitable candidate.