Grounds Maintenance Operative (Gardens)

The Methodist Church in Britain; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days annual leave including bankH

Discounted on-site sport facilities

Staff benefits scheme

Employee assistance programme

Development programmes

LGPS enrolment

Job summary

Edge Hill University is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Operative to care for the university grounds, gardens, landscaped areas and external sports facilities. The role is hands-on and outdoors, with training provided for machinery; a horticulture or landscaping background is valued.

You will work within Facilities Management, supporting events and seasonal maintenance while adhering to safety and logbook procedures. This is a full duties role with opportunities for development.

Qualifications

• Physically active outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to follow work schedules and instructions.
• Work independently or as part of a team.
• Willingness to learn to use grounds‑maintenance machinery safely.
• Basic IT or mobile device usage for log books.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planting, pruning, hedge trimming, grass cutting, weeding and seasonal maintenance.
• Operate pedestrian and ride‑on mowers, strimmers and hedge trimmers, with training provided.
• Carry out litter picking, jet washing and general external cleaning.
• Support winter gritting and snow clearance.
• Prepare grounds for events.
• Carry out driving duties.
• Maintain sports grounds when required.
• Complete safety checks and daily work logs using IT or mobile devices.

Skills

Outdoor work

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Willingness to learn

Tools

Pedestrian mower

Ride-on mower

Job description

This Grounds Maintenance Operative post sits within Facilities Management at Edge Hill University, looking after the grounds, gardens, landscaped areas and external sports facilities. The work is hands‑on and outdoors, from planting, pruning and mowing to litter picking, jet washing and winter gritting. Machinery training is provided, so prior experience is not essential, though a horticulture or landscaping background would be valued. The vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage if a suitable redeployee is identified.

What the job involves

• Carry out planting, pruning, hedge trimming, grass cutting, weeding and seasonal maintenance
• Operate pedestrian and ride‑on mowers, strimmers and hedge trimmers, with training provided
• Carry out litter picking, jet washing and general external cleaning
• Support winter gritting and snow clearance
• Prepare grounds for events
• Carry out driving duties
• Maintain sports grounds when required
• Complete safety checks and daily work logs using IT or mobile devices

Skills & knowledge

• Comfortable with practical, physically active outdoor work in all weather conditions
• Following work schedules and responding to instructions
• Working independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to learn to use grounds‑maintenance machinery safely
• Routine administration using IT or mobile devices

Other

• Strong commitment to health and safety
• Excellent customer care and respectful communication
• Reliable, adaptable and motivated

Nice to have

• Experience of horticulture, grounds maintenance, landscaping, machinery operation or a similar practical environment

What’s offered

• Minimum of 35 days annual leave, including bank holidays and University closure days
• Discounted membership of on‑site sport and leisure facilities
• Staff benefits scheme with discounts on shopping, cinema, dining and more
• Employee assistance programme with counselling, legal and financial advice, and wellbeing resources
• Development programmes to support career progression
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme