Green Team Operative- Fixed Term Contract

London Borough of Tower Hamlets; Greater London; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

London Borough of Tower Hamlets is seeking a Green Team Operative for a 12-month fixed term contract. You will lead horticultural maintenance across parks and open spaces, including grass cutting, flower bed upkeep and bowling green maintenance.

The role requires a driving licence, knowledge of parks/open spaces, health and safety, and experience in grounds maintenance. You will work both independently and as part of a team to improve green spaces across the borough.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of issues relating to parks and open spaces.
• First Aid knowledge to protect public safety.
• Health & Safety related to parks and open spaces and safe use of pesticides.
• Working knowledge of plants, bedding schemes and fine turf maintenance.
• Experience in a frontline grounds maintenance service.
• Experience in maintaining green spaces to a high standard.
• Experience working alone and as part of a team.
• Experience using grounds maintenance tools and machinery.

Responsibilities

• Carry out a range of horticultural maintenance activities to high standards.
• Support improvements to designated sites and prepare for local/national awards.
• Maintain tools, equipment and machinery and report defects.
• Interact with the public courteously and respond to questions about the parks.
• Participate in horticultural- and ecological-based community events like tree planting and bulb planting.
• Promote equality and opportunity as part of Tower Hamlets' policies.

Skills

Parks & Open Spaces

First Aid

Health & Safety

Plant Knowledge

Grounds Maintenance Experience

Teamwork

Machinery Operation

Frontline Service

Tools

Grounds maintenance tools & machinery

Job description

About The Role

This role is a Fixed Term Contract for 12 months

Tower Hamlets is a culturally diverse borough in which an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Green Team Operative. As a Green Team operative for the Boroughs Green Team you will take a lead role on the horticultural maintenance of Parks and Open Spaces throughout Tower Hamlets. You will be responsible for a range of duties including Grass cutting, flower bed maintenance and bowling green maintenance. The Council is committed to improving the quality of its green spaces and the Green Team Operative will have a key role in supporting this aim.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out a range of horticultural maintenance activities, in accordance with best horticultural practices, so that designated sites are prepared and maintained to a high standard of horticulture and overall appearance
• Support the implementation of improvements to designated sites, and the associated preparation for local and national award schemes.
• Undertake basic maintenance of tools, equipment and machinery, identifying and reporting defects.
• Deal with the public in a courteous and efficient manner, answering questions relating to the parks, noting and reporting any complaints to the Operations Leader.
• Participate in the delivery of horticultural- and ecological-based community events and activities such as tree planting, bulb planting and clean-up days.
• The Council has a strong commitment to achieving equality and opportunity in both services to the community and in the employment of people, and expects all employees to understand and promote its policies in their own work, including undertaking any training where necessary.

Requirements

Driving licence essential

• Knowledge of issues relating to parks and open spaces.
• Knowledge of First Aid necessary to protect public safety and the infrastructure of the park.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety pertaining to parks and open spaces and the safe use of Pesticides.
• Working knowledge of plants, bedding schemes and fine turf maintenance.
• Experience of working in a front line grounds maintenance service.
• Working experience of maintaining green spaces to a high standard.
• Experience of working alone and as a member of a team.
• Experience in the use of appropriate grounds maintenance tools and machinery.
• Able to operate and carry out routine maintenance of horticultural machinery tools and equipment.

Tower Hamlets vision for our borough is that: people are aspirational, independent and have equal access to opportunities; we are a borough that our residents are proud of and love to live in; and we are a dynamic, outcomes-based council using digital innovation and partnership working to respond to the changing needs of our borough. We want people who aspire to our TOWER values: Together; Open; Willing; Excellent; Respect.

Tower Hamlets has a zero-tolerance approach to, and works to eradicate, all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, status as a civil partner, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and maternity and looks to employ a diverse workforce representative of those groups. We recognise that people can also be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class.

About Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is a truly unique borough at the heart of London - a place where history and innovation sit side by side. From the docks and markets that shaped the East End to the global business hub of Canary Wharf, we are proud to be one of the most dynamic, diverse, and ambitious communities in the UK. We are also one of the fastest growing and youngest boroughs in the country, offering unrivalled opportunities to make a real difference to people's lives. Our residents are energetic, creative, and resilient, and our council is committed to delivering the best possible services and opportunities for them.

Our award-winning new Town Hall in Whitechapel provides a modern, flexible workplace for our staff, right at the heart of the borough and directly opposite Whitechapel Tube and Elizabeth line station. It is more than just a workplace - it's a hub for collaboration, innovation and community, designed to bring out the best in our people.

As an employer, we put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Our active Employee Network Groups celebrate and champion our workforce, helping to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Guided by our TOWER values - Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respect - we are building a positive, inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive.

At Tower Hamlets Council, you'll find exciting challenges, supportive colleagues, and the chance to shape one of London's most important and vibrant places. If you're looking for a role where you can see the impact of your work every day, then Tower Hamlets is the place for you.