Grounds Operative

Center Parcs UK & Ireland; Penrith; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job description

Imagine stepping away from the desk and having 400 acres of beautiful forest as your office? The Grounds Services team is responsible for managing and maintaining the forest landscape at each of our villages, including wildlife and biodiversity surveys. Our expert teams are extremely passionate about the natural environment at Center Parcs, which our guests love to see.

GROUNDS OPERATIVE | £12.37 per hour

You will maintain the village’s grounds in accordance with the department’s Forest Management Plan, Standards of Performance and Health and Safety documents, in direct liaison with Senior Forest Rangers and the Grounds Services Manager.

Responsibilities will include:

1. Ensuring that the grounds are clean and tidy;
2. Assisting the Forestry Team with the management of mature woodland areas;
3. Assisting the interior plants person in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise;
4. Mowing and strimming established grassed areas;
5. Maintaining ornamental landscaping;
6. Assisting Estate Rangers in the maintenance of Village waterways.

The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, hardworking, with the ability to work alone and as part of a team. You should be naturally cheerful and have the ability to communicate with people. Previous experience working in horticulture would be desirable.

Please note that you must also be prepared to work outdoors during periods of adverse weather conditions and attend for additional duties during these times.

Please note that to apply for a role with us, you must be able to reliably commute to Center Parcs Whinfell Forest (CA10 2DW) as it is not easily accessible by public transport. If you plan to use public transport, please follow this link for a realistic overview of your commute: Plan Your Journey.

HOURS OF WORK

You will be contracted to work 160 hours per 4-week period on a flexible basis. This means that your days and hours of work could vary each week, but you will always receive at least your contracted hours each period.

As our village is open 365 days of the year, your working hours will include public / bank holidays and during Christmas and / or New Year on a rota basis.

About You
Essential requirements:

• Full Driving Licence, held for a minimum of 6 months

Desirable Requirements

• Previous experience in horticulture trade
• Previous experience in the use of agricultural, forestry and horticultural machinery, along with a certified competency in use of pesticides

About The Benefits

Center Parcs is a fantastic place to work and the benefits are as impressive as they are unique. Here are just a few:

• Colleague Bonus Scheme
• Pension Scheme with Life Assurance
• Colleague Recognition and Reward Scheme – offering a choice of Center Parcs and High Street vouchers
• Free use of our leisure facilities
• Discounted Center Parcs breaks
• 20% discount in our restaurant and retail outlets
• Access to Perks at Work Portal - offering a wide range of retail and leisure discounts
• An Employee Assistance Program - providing support on financial, health and legal matters
• Excellent opportunities for career development and progression with the opportunity to gain externally recognised qualifications

If this sounds like your ideal job, then we’d love to see your application.

Closing date: 6th May 2025 at 12 Noon
Interviews to be held: 8th May 2025

Please note this vacancy may close at any time once sufficient applications have been received. Early submission of your application is therefore encouraged.

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At Center Parcs, everyone’s welcome.
We recognise that we’re all at our best when we’re being ourselves. We are committed to building a culture that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want them to feel valued for their individuality, thrive in our business and share a sense of belonging. We place a lot of value on recruiting based on behaviours rather than prioritising qualifications or experience.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, please let us know if you require any support or reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process.