Grounds Operative

Somerset Council; Taunton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

LGPS pension

Training and development

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Supportive team environment

Outdoor work with visible impact

Job summary

Somerset Council in Wellington is seeking a Grounds Operative to help maintain parks, cemeteries, housing areas and landscaped sites across Somerset. This outdoor, hands-on role offers variety, practical work and a chance to make a visible difference in local communities.

You will carry out grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting and litter removal, work with hand tools and ride-on machinery, and support seasonal and flood-related tasks.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence is required.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements including COSHH.
• Experience of outdoor manual work.
• Good physical fitness and ability to lift/move materials.
• Basic IT skills (Outlook, Word, Teams) and ability to learn new systems.

Responsibilities

• Carry out grounds and horticultural work (grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting, weeding, upkeep).
• Maintain highways, verges, housing areas, cemeteries, parks and landscaped sites.
• Remove litter, leaves, graffiti and flyposting.
• Use hand tools, powered equipment and ride-on machinery (with training).
• Support seasonal and emergency work (flood response, snow/ice, sandbags).
• Drive council vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and perform daily checks.
• Report issues to supervisors.
• Complete basic paperwork and electronic records.
• Provide a professional and courteous service to the public.
• Work flexibly to support service needs, including occasional out-of-hours.

Skills

Driving licence

Health and safety (COSHH)

Outdoor manual work

Physical fitness

Weather adaptability

IT skills (Outlook, Word, Teams)

General education

Teamwork

Education

General education or equivalent practical experience

Tools

Hand tools

Ride-on machinery

Powered equipment

Job description

Salary: Grade 14 - £26,016 to £26,847 per annum

Contract: Fixed Term until 31 March 2028

Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week

Closing Date: 1st November 2026

Please note: These roles are based in Wellington, and successful candidates will work from the Wellington area.

About The Role

Looking for a practical outdoor role where you can see the difference your work makes every day?

We're looking for a Grounds Operative to join our team in Wellington. This is a great opportunity to work outdoors, helping to maintain and improve public spaces across Somerset. From parks and cemeteries to housing areas, highways and landscaped sites, you'll play an important role in keeping our communities safe, clean and welcoming for residents and visitors.

No two days are the same in this varied, hands‑on role. You'll work as part of a supportive team delivering grounds maintenance and horticultural services that have a visible impact on the places people use every day.

Don't worry if you don't meet every requirement listed. Whether you're bringing existing experience or looking for a fresh challenge, what matters most is your commitment, positive attitude and willingness to learn.

How You'll Make a Difference

As a Grounds Operative, you'll help create attractive, safe and well‑maintained environments that people enjoy using every day by:

• Carrying out grounds and horticultural work, including grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting, weeding and general upkeep.
• Maintaining highways, verges, housing areas, cemeteries, parks and landscaped sites.
• Removing litter, leaves, graffiti and flyposting to help keep public spaces clean and safe.
• Using hand tools, powered equipment and ride‑on machinery (with appropriate training).
• Supporting seasonal and emergency work, including flood response, watercourse clearance, snow and ice clearance, and sandbagging.
• Driving council vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes, carrying out daily checks and reporting defects.
• Reporting issues such as vandalism, fly‑tipping and damage to supervisors.
• Completing basic paperwork and electronic records accurately.
• Providing a professional and courteous service when interacting with members of the public.
• Working flexibly to support service needs, including occasional work outside normal hours.

What You'll Bring

We're looking for someone who enjoys working outdoors, takes pride in their work and can adapt to changing priorities and weather conditions. As well as:

• A full UK driving licence.
• Good understanding of health and safety requirements, including COSHH.
• Experience of outdoor manual work and using hand‑operated equipment.
• Good physical fitness, including the ability to lift and move materials and equipment.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in varying weather conditions.
• Basic IT skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word and Teams, and the ability to learn new systems.
• A good standard of general education or equivalent practical experience.
• Good teamwork skills and a flexible approach to work.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities to support your growth and career progression.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.
• A supportive team environment where your contribution is valued.
• The opportunity to work outdoors and make a visible difference to local communities every day.

Working at Somerset Council

Further Information

This role is based in Wellington with travel across Somerset as required by the service.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Julian Grant on 01984 600172 or by email at [e-mail].

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

You can find a copy of the job description here: SCG1342 Grounds Operative - Job Description (1353)

If you currently work for Somerset Council, please apply via the internal SuccessFactors careers page.

Job Ref:1522/TC