Grounds Maintenance Operative - two posts available - Hardley Depot

New Forest District Council; Southampton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

New Forest District Council is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Operative for the Hardley Depot to maintain outdoor spaces across the district. You’ll work in varied environments, from public green spaces to woodlands, performing grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting, and soft landscaping as part of a frontline team.

The role requires a background in grounds maintenance, a full UK driving licence, and desirable herbicide certifications PA1/PA6 with NVQ1 or equivalent.

Qualifications

• Experience in Grounds Maintenance or similar role.
• Full UK driving licence required.
• Desirable: PA1 and PA6 herbicide certifications; NVQ Level 1 or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Grass cutting and hedge trimming.
• Shrub and planting maintenance.
• Soft landscaping projects.
• Cemetery grounds upkeep.
• Assisting with a variety of horticultural tasks.

Skills

Grounds maintenance experience

Full UK driving licence

PA1 herbicide certification

PA6 herbicide certification

Education

NVQ Level 1 or equivalent

Tools

PA1

PA6

Job description

Grounds Maintenance Operative – two posts available – Hardley Depot

Location: Hardley Depot

Job details

Salary £26,242 - £28,284 per annum

Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time

Region South

Job category/type Grounds

Date posted 15/10/2026

Attachments

• Local Government Reorganisation Information for Applicants.docx
• Customer Strategy - Customer Promise.pdf
• People strategy_document.pdf
• Candidate Pack - Grounds Maintenance Operative.pdf

Job description

Love the Outdoors? Join Our Grounds Maintenance Team!

Do you thrive working in the fresh air and enjoy seeing the results of your hard work? We’re looking for a passionate and committed individual to join our Grounds Maintenance Team based at our Hardley depot, serving beautiful locations across the district.

As part of this friendly, hands‑on team, you’ll help keep our outdoor spaces looking their best all year round. Your work will include:

• Grass cutting and hedge trimming
• Shrub and formal planting maintenance
• Soft landscaping projects
• Cemetery grounds
• A variety of horticultural & other tasks

What Makes This Role Special?

You won’t be stuck in one place! No two days are the same.

We work in variety of stunning and varied outdoor environments including public green spaces, woodlands, coastal areas & gardens.

If you’re motivated, take pride in high standards, and enjoy working to clear schedules, this is the role for you.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience: A background in Grounds Maintenance or similar role
• Driving: Full UK driving licence
• Desirable: PA1 & PA6 herbicide certification, NVQ Level 1 or equivalence

What’s in It for You?

As part of our commitment to being a supportive and people‑centred employer, we offer a range of benefits designed to help you thrive both in and outside of work:

• £26,242 - £28,284 per annum
• 23 days leave plus bank holidays, rising by an additional week’s leave after 5 years of continuous local authority service
• Local Government Pension Scheme, with the option of Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)
• Employee Assistance Programme offering free 24/7 legal, financial, and personal wellbeing advice
• Employee discount scheme with savings across major supermarkets, retailers, restaurants, and leisure providers
• Cycle to Work Scheme, helping you save around 40 percent on bikes and accessories
• A values‑led organisation, guided by our LEAF values (Learning, Empathy, Ambition, Fairness)
• Access to learning and development opportunities to support your growth
• A supportive, inclusive culture, where everyone is welcomed and valued

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and offer a range of active staff networks, including:

• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Group
• LGBTQ+ Network
• Women’s Network
• Early Careers Network
• Neurodiversity Network

About us

At NFDC we recognise that every colleague – whether in operational, frontline, or office‑based roles – plays a vital part in delivering high‑quality services to our communities. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where people feel valued for the work they do and the strengths they bring.

We aim to foster a culture where people feel confident to share ideas, contribute their expertise, and develop through meaningful conversations with their managers and supported learning opportunities. Whilst we have our corporate values, LEAF Learning Empathy Ambition Fairness , we understand that different teams work in different ways, and we want our values to be lived in ways that make sense locally while staying true to our shared purpose as an organisation.

We want colleagues to thrive, which is why we promote wellbeing, balance, and opportunities for learning and progression. Our values guide how we work together and how we support each other to be confident, capable, and adaptable.

Please note: You’ll likely be aware that there is a government mandate to deliver Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) to Hampshire and the Solent region, meaning a transition into a new operating structure from an agreed future date. This transition is currently paused following a recent government announcement, but it is important that applicants understand how this may affect their employment should they be successful. You will find attached a useful LGR update sheet at top of this advert.

For an informal chat about the role please contact: [e-mail]

We understand that some applicants may choose to use AI tools to assist with completing your application. Please bear in mind it’s important that your application remains an accurate and honest reflection of your own skills, experience, and achievements. Please ensure that any content generated or supported by AI truly represents you and your capabilities, as this will form the basis of our assessment throughout the recruitment process

This post requires an Enhanced DBS check to be completed. You must include details and dates of ‘spent’ convictions, cautions and reprimands and final warnings.

Closing date: 11pm Sunday 8th November 2026

Interview date: Monday 16th November 2026