Grounds Maintenance Operative

Ocean Housing Group; Charlestown; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday

Professional membership fees paid

Company sick pay

Workplace pension

Medicash health plan

Cycle to work scheme

Rewards & recognition

On-site parking

Employee assistance programme

Family-friendly policies

Job summary

Ocean Housing is recruiting a Grounds Maintenance Operative to join our team at Stennack House, St Austell. You will deliver high‑quality grounds maintenance across communal estates, including grass cutting, shrub maintenance and planting, ensuring safe, attractive outdoor spaces for residents.

You will work both independently and as part of a team, adhere to health and safety standards and maintain equipment and records as required.

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds maintenance or gardening work.
• Understanding of health & safety in a working environment.
• NVQ Level 1 (or equivalent) and English/Literacy qualification.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Ability to work outdoors in a physically demanding role year‑round.
• Good communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Pride in delivering work to a high standard.

Responsibilities

• Carry out grass cutting, strimming, weeding and general horticultural works.
• Maintain and plant shrubs, trees and bedding displays.
• Safely operate and maintain tools, plant and machinery.
• Complete routine vehicle, equipment and site safety checks.
• Identify and report health & safety hazards or estate issues.
• Prepare accurate records, reports and inspections as required.
• Provide a friendly, professional service to residents and stakeholders.
• Work flexibly across multiple sites, sometimes lone working.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Health and safety

English literacy

Driving licence

Outdoor work

Communication

Teamwork

Pride in work

Education

NVQ Level 1

NVQ Level 2 (Desirable)

Tools

Horticultural machinery

Job description

Join Ocean Housing as a Grounds Maintenance Operative

Location: Stennack House, St Austell

Hours: 40 per week (Mon-Fri)

Salary: £27,976 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Do you enjoy working outdoors, take pride in keeping spaces looking their best, and want to make a real difference to local communities? We're looking for a Grounds Maintenance Operative to join our friendly and professional team, helping us maintain safe, attractive and welcoming neighbourhoods for our residents.

About the role

As a Grounds Maintenance Operative, you'll deliver high‑quality grounds maintenance across our communal estates. From grass cutting and shrub maintenance to planting and site checks, you'll play a vital role in keeping our outdoor spaces well cared for all year round.

You'll work both independently and as part of a team, engaging positively with residents, estate monitors and colleagues, while always working safely and to a high standard.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out grass cutting, strimming, weeding and general horticultural works
• Maintain and plant shrubs, trees and bedding displays
• Safely operate and maintain tools, plant and machinery
• Complete routine vehicle, equipment and site safety checks
• Identify and report health & safety hazards or estate issues
• Prepare accurate records, reports and inspections as required
• Provide a friendly, professional service to residents and stakeholders
• Work flexibly across multiple sites, sometimes lone working

What we're looking for

You don't need to meet every single requirement to apply - we're keen to hear from people who are motivated, reliable and keen to learn.

Essential

• Experience in grounds maintenance or gardening work
• Understanding of health & safety in a working environment
• NVQ Level 1 (or equivalent) and English/Literacy qualification
• Full UK driving licence
• Ability to work outdoors in a physically demanding role year‑round
• Good communication and customer service skills
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Pride in delivering work to a high standard

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2 in Horticulture or similar
• Experience using machinery (mowers, hedge cutters, brash cutters)
• PA1 & PA6 spraying certificates
• Experience of working in social housing
• Experience of towing trailers containing heavy mechanical equipment

What are our benefits?

• 27 days holiday + bank holidays
• Professional membership fees paid
• Company sick pay scheme
• Workplace pension with death in service benefit
• Medicash health plan (including dental & optical)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Rewards & recognition programme
• On-site parking
• Employee assistance programme
• Family-friendly policies

Key Dates

Closing Date: Tuesday 22nd of September 2026 at Midnight

Interview Date: Tuesday 29th of September 2026 and Wednesday 30th of September 2026 at Stennack House, St Austell