Ground Maintenance Operative

Service Care Solutions Ltd; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Service Care Solutions Ltd is recruiting for a Ground Maintenance Operative in Leicester. The role is temporary, 37 hours per week, with pay rates of £13.72 per hour PAYE ex Holiday or £17.04 per hour Umbrella.

The successful candidate will have horticulture/grounds maintenance experience, be confident using specialist equipment, and able to work outdoors year-round to maintain high-quality public spaces.

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in horticulture, grounds maintenance or ecology.
• Experience using horticultural machinery and specialist equipment.
• Experience outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Good Health & Safety understanding in horticulture/grounds maintenance.
• Strong communication with the public.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Good organisation, prioritising workloads and deadlines.
• Willingness to undertake further training and obtain additional qualifications.
• Physical ability for manual work and driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Carry out high-quality horticultural and grounds maintenance work across parks and open spaces.
• Maintain flower beds, planted areas, grassed areas and other horticultural features.
• Prepare and maintain sports areas and features, including artificial surfaces.
• Maintain and develop hard and soft landscaping features.
• Use and maintain a range of specialist hand tools, mechanical equipment and horticultural machinery.
• Drive and operate tractors where appropriately qualified.
• Safely apply chemicals such as herbicides, fungicides and insecticides where required.
• Keep parks, grounds and work areas clean, safe and tidy.
• Provide advice and assistance to members of the public using parks and facilities.
• Complete routine paperwork and maintain accurate records.
• Report defects, issues or hazards to the Team Leader.
• Ensure all work is completed in line with Health & Safety, environmental and operational procedures.
• Contribute to keeping Leicester's parks and open spaces safe, attractive, accessible and welcoming.
• Carry out other duties associated with the role as required.

Skills

Horticulture

Grounds maintenance

Outdoor work

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Qualification in horticulture/grounds maintenance/ecology

Tools

Horticultural machinery

Tractor operation

Job description

Ground Maintenance Operative – Leicester

Location: Leicester Job Type: Temporary Hours: 37 hours per week Pay Rate: £13.72 per hour PAYE ex Holiday | £17.04 per hour Umbrella

Service Care Solutions are currently recruiting for experienced Ground Maintenance Operatives to join a busy Parks and Open Spaces team in Leicester. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a background in gardening, grounds maintenance or landscaping who enjoys working outdoors and takes pride in maintaining high-quality public spaces.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out high-quality horticultural and grounds maintenance work across parks, open spaces, housing and highways land.
• Maintain flower beds, planted areas, grassed areas and other horticultural features.
• Prepare and maintain sports areas and features, including artificial surfaces.
• Maintain and develop hard and soft landscaping features.
• Use and maintain a range of specialist hand tools, mechanical equipment and horticultural machinery.
• Drive and operate tractors where appropriately qualified.
• Safely prepare and apply chemicals such as herbicides, fungicides and insecticides where required.
• Keep parks, grounds and work areas clean, safe and tidy.
• Provide advice and assistance to members of the public using parks and facilities.
• Complete routine paperwork and maintain accurate records.
• Report any defects, issues or hazards to the Team Leader.
• Ensure all work is completed in line with Health & Safety, environmental and operational procedures.
• Contribute to keeping Leicester's parks and open spaces safe, attractive, accessible and welcoming.
• Carry out other duties associated with the role as required.

About You

The successful candidate will have previous experience within horticulture, grounds maintenance or groundskeeping and be confident using specialist horticultural equipment. You will ideally have:

• A recognised qualification in horticulture, grounds maintenance or ecology.
• Experience using horticultural machinery and specialist equipment.
• Experience working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• A good understanding of Health & Safety within a horticultural or grounds maintenance environment.
• Good communication skills and the ability to deal professionally with members of the public.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a wider team.
• Good organisation skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• A willingness to undertake further training and obtain additional qualifications where required.
• The physical ability to undertake manual work, including lifting and handling equipment and materials.
• A full UK driving license.

Desirable Experience & Qualifications

The following would be advantageous but are not essential:

• Tractor driving/operator qualification or experience.
• PA1/PA6 or another appropriate pesticide application qualification.
• Experience applying pesticides safely.
• Knowledge of COSHH requirements.
• Experience of ecology-related work.
• Experience working directly with members of the public.
• Experience maintaining sports surfaces.
• Knowledge of safe tractor operation.

Working Environment

This is an active, hands-on role requiring you to work outdoors throughout the year and in varying weather conditions. You may also occasionally be required to work outside normal hours, including weekends or during holiday periods to support events and operational requirements. You will need to be comfortable working across different locations within Leicester and able to work under pressure while maintaining a high standard of work.

If you have a background in horticulture, gardening, grounds maintenance or landscaping and are looking for your next opportunity in Leicester, get in touch with Prakash at Service Care Solutions by emailing [e-mail] or call 01772 208967.