Grounds Operative

Government Facility Services Ltd; Rochester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Private GP consultations

Employee Assistance Programme

Retailer discounts

Job summary

Gov Facilities Services Limited (GFSL) seeks a dedicated Grounds Operative to join the team at HMP Rochester. The role is permanent, full-time (39 hours per week, Monday-Friday) with duties focused on maintaining prison grounds to support a safe environment.

The candidate should have grounds maintenance experience, essential NVQ3 in horticulture or equivalent, and PA2/PA6 pesticides qualifications. Strong health and safety knowledge and excellent organisational and people skills are required.

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds maintenance and grass maintenance.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety requirements.
• Experience taking instructions and following procedures.
• Experience in supervision or leading a small team.
• NVQ Level 3 in horticulture or equivalent is essential.
• PA2 and PA6 pesticides qualifications are desirable.
• Good Health & Safety knowledge is essential.
• Excellent organisational, time management and people skills are required.

Responsibilities

• (Not explicitly listed in the provided HTML; no dedicated responsibilities section found in this document.)

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Health & Safety

Supervision

Time management

People skills

Following procedures

Education

NVQ Level 3 in horticulture or equivalent

PA2 pesticides qualification

PA6 pesticides qualification

Job description

Grounds Operative

Location: HMP Rochester - ME1 3QS

Salary: £27,505.80 Per Annum

Contract: Permanent | Full-Time | 39 hours per week | Monday-Friday

We are seeking a dedicated Grounds Operative to join our team at HMP Rochester, a Category C & Male prison.

Join a team that is more than just a group of colleagues - we work Monday to Friday as a supportive and driven family, working together to create a safe and nurturing environment.

HMP Rochester runs like a self-contained town it takes hundreds of people to keep it functioning, and as the Facilities Maintenance Team we are committed and driving the smooth and safe operation, like a heart that pumps blood through the body, everything we do impacts every prisoner, employee, and visitor, and wider to the families and community.

As a Grounds Operative, you will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced and passionate colleagues who vary from Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters, Painters, to Cleaners, and Administrators, and others, who are all dedicated to making a positive difference, providing a safe and secure environment for all.

If you are looking for a role where you can use your skills to create a better future for others, we encourage you to apply for this compelling opportunity and join us in our mission to promote rehabilitation and positive change and be part of a team that truly makes a difference.

We are a Ministry of Justice business and provide critical and time-bound services to HMPPS, and are looking for a Grounds Operative with any combination of:

• Experience with grounds maintenance practices in areas of grass maintenance - Essential
• Knowledge of relevant health and safety requirements
• Experience of taking instructions and following processes and procedures
• Experience of supervision
• National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 qualification in horticulture or a recognised horticultural industry equivalent - Essential
• Holding of PA2 and PA6 pesticides qualifications
• Good Health & Safety knowledge.
• Excellent organisational, time management and people skills.

If this sounds like you, we would like to hear from you!

Explore a varied and rewarding career at GFSL.

Welcome to careers at Gov Facilities Services Limited (GFSL). Joining us is your chance to help ensure prisons are secure and safe for prisoners and prison staff alike, and to play your part in helping prisoners reintegrate into society.

Holidays are 25 days per year plus Bank Holidays, and a range of non-contractual benefits are provided. These range from Death in Service at 4x salary, to access to private GP consultations and an Employee Assistance Programme that offers counsel and information services for preventative care and to help employees in a crisis. There are also a range of financial reward mechanisms and access to retailer discounts.

You will find a strong focus on safety, a supportive, inclusive workplace, a competitive benefits package, and real opportunity to build your skills and progress.

Explore facilities careers where you can make difference.

Pride In People.

We're passionate about promoting greater diversity and creating a workplace and culture where all of our employees have a voice that is heard, feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to be their true selves.

We recognise the value that every single employee brings to the organisation. Everyone's needs at work are different and we are committed to doing our best to satisfy these differences whilst ensuring consistency and fairness for all. We promise to champion diversity and inclusion with ongoing learning and training, as well as career progression opportunities for everyone.

GFSL has been notified by its shareholder (MOJ) that the provision of FM services will in future be delivered by the private sector. This means that following a successful procurement process, GFSL's services will transfer to a private sector provider/providers in Spring 2026. As the programme unfolds, we will learn more.

Pride in People - Do the Right thing - One Team

An ISO 9001 Certified Company