Grounds Maintenance Assistant

Durham University; North East; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parking across campus

Cycle to work scheme

Discounts via benefits portal

On-site nursery (Ofsted Outstanding)

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Generous pension schemes

Job summary

Durham University is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Assistant to join the Estates and Facilities Directorate. The role is permanent, full-time (35 hours) with five days out of seven, some evenings and weekends, and on-call rota for winter maintenance.

The post is on-site only, with a salary of £24,752–£25,025, and closing date 5 October 2026. The department focuses on maintaining safe, sustainable estates and delivering diverse services to support teaching and campus life.

Qualifications

• Good spoken and written communication skills.
• Basic digital skills including the ability to use the internet and email.
• Basic numeracy and literacy skills.
• Experience of working independently using own initiative, as well as in a team.
• Experience of managing time to meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow instructions, written or spoken, accurately.
• Ability to follow health and safety guidelines.
• Experience of reactive, cyclical and planned grounds maintenance, projects and new landscaping schemes and winter maintenance.
• Good attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of plants and their uses, and of their appropriate maintenance in a diverse estate.

Responsibilities

• Provide an excellent, responsive service to students, colleagues and visitors by carrying out tasks using the relevant procedures (training provided).
• Follow health and safety regulations and wear protective clothing/equipment.
• Learn and apply risk assessments to ensure safe practice in different environments.
• Carry out tasks that may be physically demanding.
• Use and look after equipment for seasonal grounds and garden maintenance.
• Assist with stock control and purchasing materials as necessary.
• Support team activities and ensure timely delivery of grounds maintenance tasks.

Skills

Communication skills

Digital literacy

Numeracy

Independent and team work

Time management

Following instructions

Health and safety

Grounds maintenance

Attention to detail

Plant knowledge

Job description

Job Title: Grounds Maintenance Assistant

Department: Estates and Facilities Directorate, Business and Campus Services

Grade: Grade 2

Salary range: £24,752-£25,025

Working arrangements: Permanent, Full time (35 hours)

Schedule: Five days out of seven, some requirement to work evenings and weekends, participation in on-call rota for out-of-hours emergency situations, particularly in relation to the University's winter maintenance programme.

Onsite working only

Closing date: 5th October 2026

The University at Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.

Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our workforce including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here.

The Role and Department

The Estates and Facilities Directorate plays a vital role in supporting the University's strategic objectives by managing, maintaining and developing its diverse estate and associated services. The Directorate is responsible for the stewardship of the University's buildings, infrastructure, grounds and property assets, ensuring they are safe, sustainable, compliant and fit for purpose, while delivering an extensive programme of maintenance, capital development and estate enhancement projects.

In addition to managing the physical environment, the Directorate delivers a wide range of professional, technical and customer-facing services that support the day-to-day operation of the University. These include facilities and contract management, security, cleaning and housekeeping, postal and reception services, event support, retail operations, management information and business support. Through collaboration with colleagues across the institution, the Directorate helps create an exceptional environment for students, staff and visitors, enabling teaching, research and wider University activities to thrive.

Further information about the role is at the bottom of this job description.

Benefits

• You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year, in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year, a total of 39 days.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.
• Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
• We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Provide an excellent, responsive service to our students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role by carrying out your tasks using the relevant procedures (which we will provide training for).
• Look after yourself and others by following health and safety regulations including correctly wearing any protective clothing or equipment provided e.g. safety shoes, being aware of any hazards and risks and reporting any incidents.
• Learn and apply strict guidelines and risk assessments to ensure safe, secure practice when working in different environments.
• Safely use a wide range of hazardous materials, such as flammable liquids, pesticides, herbicides, etc., as instructed and in accordance with appropriate safety instructions.
• Carry out some tasks that may require specialist skills and may be physically demanding.
• Use, clean and look after specialist equipment and tools, to complete seasonal grounds and garden maintenance tasks.
• Demonstrate some pre-employment familiarity with the techniques and processes used in the grounds and gardens area.
• Assist with stock control and purchasing materials, as necessary.

Teamwork

• Help and cooperate with the rest of your team.
• Help your colleagues when required with other key activities undertaken within your service, particularly during peak workflows.
• Help to move/transport, set-up and dismantle any equipment, tools or resources.
• Learn new skills and practices from more experienced colleagues.
• Bring any problems to the attention of more senior colleagues.

Communication/Personal

• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• Respond to routine requests for information.
• Use digital devices and apps (such as email) to communicate with supervisor, team members, other staff, students and visitors, using electronic tools and applications.
• Any other reasonable duties.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Good spoken and written communication skills.
• Basic digital skills including the ability to use the internet and email.
• Basic numeracy and literacy skills.
• Experience of working independently using own initiative, as well as in a team.
• Experience of managing time to meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow instructions, written or spoken, accurately.
• Ability to follow health and safety guidelines.
• Experience of reactive, cyclical and planned grounds maintenance, projects and new landscaping schemes and winter maintenance.
• Good attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of plants and their uses, and of their appropriate maintenance in a diverse estate.

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of personal development to maintain skills.
• Experience of working in buildings or estates services.
• Experience of working in, or with, a higher education institution.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.