Grounds Maintenance Operative

Housing Quality Network; Northwich; On-site; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Operative for a permanent position based in Northwich. The role includes maintaining diverse open spaces and requires experience in grounds maintenance, along with a full driving license. Competitive salary and generous annual leave are offered, alongside various employee benefits to foster a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

12% employer contribution to Pension Scheme

Contribution to childcare costs

Day off for your Birthday

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts on gym membership

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds maintenance environment.
• Full UK driving licence required.
• Good all-round plant and tree knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Maintain Trust Open Spaces, including mowing and litter picking.
• Drive a work vehicle and operate horticultural equipment.
• Ensure safety of yourself and others while working.

Skills

Physical fitness

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Job description

Job Title: Grounds Maintenance Operative (Permanent)
Hours: 40 hours per week
Salary: £26,804.58 per annum (Plus *Van, Fuel card, Uniform & Tools provided)

Location: Based at Gadbrook Park, Northwich. The role will be out working across the stock of Weaver Vale Housing Trust’s core locations: Warrington and Cheshire

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity working as part of a professional, engaged, and friendly organisation? Our values are Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful and Exceptional, we are constantly striving to demonstrate these values in our day to day working environment and culture.

The Opportunity

WVHT has an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to develop their career with a great company. We are looking for an experienced grounds maintenance operative who enjoys working outdoors and is driven, diligent and friendly to join our Open Space Team. The Open Space Team is responsible for the maintenance of all Trust Open Spaces, external and internal communal areas including grassed areas, shrub beds, trees and play areas. We are looking for positive and experienced team members who will bring knowledge and enthusiasm to help shape the future of our grounds maintenance service.

What Will You Do?

• Within this varied role you will work with other team members to ensure that our neighbourhoods are attractive, clean and safe.
• As part of our grounds maintenance team your duties will include mowing, hedge cutting, weeding, and litter picking across all our open spaces and communal gardens.
• Drive a work vehicle and operate horticultural equipment and machinery.
• You will be expected to work safely, follow guidelines, assess risk and ensure the safety of yourself, our customers and your colleagues.

Minimum Requirements For This Role*

• Full UK driving licence
• Ability to work in a role that includes undertaking physical tasks outdoors and operating a range of equipment and machinery
• Experience of working in a grounds maintenance environment and understand the requirements to meet the demands of a cyclical maintenance schedule.
• Good all-round plant and tree knowledge including identification and maintenance requirements

Thisrole will require the successful candidate to undergo a DBS check.

In line with the Trust’s Disclosure & Barring Policy, please confirm WITHIN YOUR APPLICATION if you have any current convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will be subject to a DBS check.

*Please see Accountability profile for further information and requirements.

• Generous annual leave entitlement 24-29 days (entitlement increases 1 day each year, over the first 5 years) holidays plus UK public/bank holidays (based on level of service) (part time pro rata)*
• Ability to buy up to 5 days additional annual leave* (pro rata for part-time) each year*
• 12% employer contribution to our Pension Scheme (minimum 2% employee contribution) with life assurance benefit*.
• Contribution to the cost of nursery or afterschool care to help with childcare costs*
• Commitment to support your ongoing learning and development, with the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills.
• Day off for your Birthday to be taken during your birth month (based on contractual hours)
• One day’s paid leave (per year) to support a charity or community group of your own choice*
• Candidate Referral Scheme*
• An annual Health and Wellbeing Allowance or the option to enrol in a Health Cash Plan*
• ‘Thank you’ gift for your continuous service starting at 5 years’ service, and every 5 years’ thereafter.
• 24/7, 365 day Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) including free counselling
• Compensation for professional memberships which are an expressed requirement
  for the role.
• Free annual flu vaccines and free Eye Care Vouchers every 2 years*
• Discounts on a gym membership and phone contract
• Cycle to work scheme*
• Free to use car park at our office on Gadbrook Park
• Involvement in regular health and wellbeing initiatives and charity fundraising activities
• Opportunities to give feedback and join various colleague forums, to help shape change at the Trust.

* Benefits offered providing you meet the eligibility criteria

HOW TO APPLY:

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 24/06/2025 (12:00 noon)

(Please be aware that applications received after this time may not be considered)

In person Interview date(s): Monday 30/06/2025

Please review the job Information pack (on our website: www.wvht.co.uk ) for further information and submit your CV with a covering letter (max. 2 pages) demonstrating how you meet the Essential and Desirable criteria in relation to the accountability profile.

Those applicants that consider themselves to have a disability and meet the essential criteria within the accountability profile for the role will be guaranteed an interview. Please confirm within your application if you consider yourself to have a disability and if so, what reasonable adjustments may be required for you to attend an interview or assessment.

Disclaimer:

• We may conduct social media checks from sources such as Google, Facebook and LinkedIn to assist us in our assessment of your suitability for the role.
• We reserve the right depending on application numbers to close or extend the closing dates for positions; we would therefore recommend an early application.
• Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
• The recruiting manager will review your skills and experience to determine if there is a match with the position you have applied for. If there is, we will contact you by phone or email to schedule an interview / assessment. If not, you will not be contacted.
• We would love to respond to all unsuccessful applications but due to the number we receive this is unfortunately not possible. We will respond to all shortlisted applications within 3 weeks of a vacancy closing. If you haven’t heard from us during this time, we will not be pursuing your application any further.
• Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK evidence of essential qualifications, complete a health questionnaire and undertake a DBS check (if relevant to the role).
• We reserve the right to refuse applications if they do not have an accompanying cover letter.

We appreciate your interest in Weaver Vale Housing Trust and the time you have invested in applying to us.

The Trust invites applications from all members of the community, irrespective of Gender, Gender reassignment, Sexual orientation, Race, Religion or belief, Disability, Age, Pregnancy and maternity, Marriage and civil partnership.