Grounds Maintenance Operative

Bath & North East Somerset Council; Bath; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking an outdoor grounds team member based at Royal Victoria Park Nursery in Bath, with duties including planting, pruning, site prep and liaising with volunteers. The role involves working on council sites and outdoors in all weather, with occasional after-hours time and overtime as required.

You will join a team of up to 10 grounds staff, assisting the team leader in day-to-day operations and development to maximise efficiency.

Qualifications

• Clean category B or higher driver's licence.
• Knowledge of horticulture practice and plant care.
• Desirable: NVQ Level 2/3 or RHS equivalent in Landscaping, Horticulture; NPTC/LANTRA machinery certs; grounds maintenance experience.

Responsibilities

• Planting, pruning, seeding.
• Propagation and care of nursery plants.
• Site preparation.
• Working with volunteer groups.
• Manual litter picking and sweeping.
• Emptying litter & recycling bins, and replacing liners.
• Overtime tasks such as nursery watering on weekends.

Skills

Clean driving licence

Horticulture knowledge

Education

NVQ 2/3 or RHS equivalent in Landscaping/Horticulture

NPTC/LANTRA machinery operation certification

Experience in grounds maintenance

Tools

Ride-on mowers

Tractors

Job description

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.

Based at Royal Victoria Park Nursery in Bath mostly, but also required to work on sites as required.

About the Team

We are proud of the in‑house services that we operate in keeping our neighbourhoods tending to our beautiful parks and open spaces. If you’d like to join our passionate, enthusiastic team we’d love you hear from you. You’ll need to be physically fit to meet the job description requirements and be prepared to work outdoors in all weather.

About the Role

Work in a team of up to 10 grounds people to carrying out horticultural and associated operations.

The primary purpose of this post is to assist the team leader with the day to day running and development of the team accordance with the Council’s Vision and Values, policy and other objectives, to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

Key Duties:

• Planting, pruning, seeding
• Propagation and care of nursery plants
• Site preparation
• Working with volunteer groups
• Manual litter picking and sweeping
• Emptying litter & recycling bins, and replacing liners
• Resolving any complaints as directed by managers
• Be willing to carry out overtime tasks, for example watering of plant in the nursery on weekends.

The post-holder will be expected to work/be available outside normal office hours including Bank Holidays, weekend and evening work as and when required. You will be compensated for this.

About You

Qualifications - Essential

• Driver must have a clean category B or above licence.
• Knowledge of horticulture practice and plant care.

Qualifications – Desirable

• Vocational qualification or experience NVQ Level 2 or 3 or RHS equivalent in Landscaping, Horticulture, or related area.
• Relevant NPTC/LANTRA machinery operation certification. E.G. Ride on mowers/tractors
• Experience of delivering general or specific grounds maintenance and operating relevant machinery and small plant.

Interview date: 25/09/2026

About Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits

At Bath and North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve peoples lives. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity

We are a Disability Confident Employer – find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW

The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Safeguarding Statement:

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.

*Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.