Grounds Maintenance Team Leader

Buckinghamshire Council; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in England is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Team Leader to manage a dedicated team providing high-quality grounds maintenance services. The ideal candidate will have leadership experience, a background in horticulture, and the ability to operate machinery like ride-on mowers. This role requires strong communication and team-building skills, and involves outdoor work in various weather conditions. A full UK driving license is essential.

Benefits

Training and development opportunities

Provision of personal protective equipment

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in grounds maintenance.
• Ability to operate relevant machinery and equipment.
• Good communication skills and a fast learner.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a field-based grounds maintenance team.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Provide operational support during peak periods.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Grounds maintenance experience

Team player

Education

Horticultural qualification (e.g., NVQ Amenity Horticulture)

Pesticide certification (PA1 and PA6)

Tools

Ride-on mowers

Hand operated equipment

Job description

Location : Buckinghamshire

Overview

Buckinghamshire Council’s Street Scene Team delivers street cleansing and grounds maintenance services across Aylesbury Vale and is currently recruiting for a skilled and experienced Grounds Maintenance Team Leader .

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.

Fixed

As a ‘fixed’ worker, you’ll spend most of your time in the same location, which will likely be a fixed office or location where your role is performed. Typically, you’ll be based in the same location as the rest of your team, because you provide a particular service from that fixed location or need access to information there.

About the role

The Street Scene team, covering Aylesbury Vale, is looking for a Grounds Maintenance Team leader that is committed to providing high quality services, leadership and task management to a field-based team and can help deliver our future plans.

Grounds maintenance services are focused on providing quality and safe green spaces to local communities. Having a number of Green Flag status parks, we work closely with our Council colleagues to deliver the operational services in line with park management plans.

If you enjoy working outside, have an eye for detail, take pride in your work and are able to take responsibility for the leadership and task management of a field-based team, then this could be just the job for you!

You will be responsible for the task management of a dedicated field-based team, providing front line grounds maintenance services and shaping how we deliver those services. You will be reliable, have a ‘can do’ attitude, effective communication skills and a commitment to working safely. There are excellent training opportunities available, and the Council are committed to supporting continuous personal development.

Working as an individual as well as part of a team, you will be competent in delivering a range of leadership and general grounds maintenance duties, including :

Grounds Maintenance & Operational Duties

• Grass cutting (Ride-on and Pedestrian)
• Shrub bed maintenance, both within formal and informal areas
• Hedge cutting
• Weed management
• Operating, maintaining and cleaning grounds maintenance and horticultural equipment, including hand tools, strimmers, hedge-cutters, pedestrian and ride-on mowers, and any other machinery required to undertake allocated tasks
• Compliance with all relevant legislation and in particular the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 and PUWER Regulations 1998
• Maintaining and preparing sports pitches, i.e. grass cutting, line marking and erecting sports equipment when required
• Maintaining artificial sports pitches
• Horticultural operations such as planting, pruning and maintenance of shrubs, hedges and other tasks as required

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance, and support to the grounds maintenance team, ensuring tasks are completed to a high standard and in line with service expectations
• Conduct team briefings, toolbox talks, and safety updates to ensure staff are informed and engaged
• Monitor team performance, attendance, and conduct, addressing issues proactively and escalating where necessary
• Support staff development through on-the-job training, mentoring, and identifying opportunities for upskilling
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, risk assessments, and safe systems of work
• Foster a positive team culture that promotes accountability, respect, and continuous improvement
• Liaise with supervisors and management to coordinate resources, respond to service requests, and contribute to operational planning

Supporting the Wider Street Scene Team

• Collaborate with other service areas within Street Scene, including street cleansing and waste operations, to ensure integrated service delivery
• Provide operational support across functions during peak periods, emergencies, or special projects
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives and cross-functional working groups
• Assist in the coordination of multi-disciplinary teams for seasonal or event-based work
• Promote a one-team ethos across Street Scene services, encouraging shared responsibility and mutual support

About you

You are required to have leadership experience and grounds maintenance experience, including use of relevant machinery and equipment such as ride on mowers, and hand operated equipment. Experience of working on a Local Authority contract, or in house service, is advantageous.

You should have good communication skills; be able to apply initiative to your work; follow instructions; and be a fast learner and a good team player.

A Horticultural qualification such as NVQ Amenity Horticulture (or equivalent), Pesticide (PA1 and PA6) or any horticultural LANTRA or NPTC qualifications would be advantageous.

The work is outdoors all year round, and work will take place in all weather conditions. All personal protective equipment and clothing will be provided.

Full UK driving license required. Trailer competency training and Ride-on Mower training would be advantageous.