Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative

Karbon Homes; North East; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused housing organization is seeking a Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative in North East England to oversee a team responsible for essential outdoor maintenance tasks. The role requires a full UK driving licence, strong customer service skills, and the ability to ensure health and safety compliance. The successful candidate will operate various equipment and maintain high service standards while demonstrating leadership in a supportive team environment.

Benefits

26 days annual leave

Birthday leave

Occupational pension

Health cash plan

Flexible benefits pot

Access to funding for qualifications

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence is essential.
• Experience in grounds maintenance is preferred.
• Ability to follow instructions and interpret site maps.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team in cyclical maintenance activities.
• Ensure adherence to health and safety standards.
• Act as the first point of contact for the Team Leader.

Skills

Ride On Mower operation

Customer service

Health and safety compliance

Job description

Come and make a difference at Karbon as a Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative

We're looking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced individual for the role of Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative in the Grounds Maintenance Team. Our in-house team is committed to continual improvement of land maintenance to specific standards across the Karbon footprint.

About The Role

Working outdoors in all weathers across the Karbon footprint covering cyclical maintenance, garden clearances, grass cutting, tree maintenance, litter picking and fly tipping clearance and associated works as directed by the Grounds Maintenance Team Leader.

The role requires a good working knowledge of current health and safety, working to specification and time management and an enthusiastic resilient attitude.

You’ll be operating and be responsible for a variety of ride on mowers and other horticultural and arboricultural equipment as well as familiarity with operating systems on PDA, supervision and driving an allocated Karbon vehicle. With relevant experience in a similar role, you’ll have a knowledge of and a strong commitment to customer care as first point of contact and be responsible for ensuring works are completed in line with our service standards as the Lead Operative in a team of three and be able to work as part of a team as well as using your own initiative.

You would be first point of contact with the Team Leader and responsible for ensuring quality of completed works and that all Health and Safety guidance is followed.

A full UK driving licence is essential and towing experience would be beneficial.

About You

We're looking for an experienced Lead Operative to join and support our Grounds Maintenance team in building on an already excellent service, delivered to our customers in a way that promotes high levels of customer focus, performance, safety and quality, with a strong emphasis on innovation, forward thinking and continuous improvement.

Candidates should have a good working knowledge of a modern ground maintenance service and the challenges it faces with experience of improving areas.

You’ll need to be able to follow instructions and interpret site maps whilst also being able to think on your feet.

Experience of Ride On Mower operation would be an advantage as would experience of pesticide application and using a PDA.

This must all be combined with a strong commitment to excellent customer service and learning and development.

Working With Us

The successful candidate will work in our Grounds Maintenance team led by the Grounds Maintenance Manager. If you’d like further information about the role, please contact Kyle 07799341548 or Adam 07711 494413.

Key Details

• Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative – Permanent role
• Salary – 27,656 per annum
• Location – Based in Chester-Le-Street
• Regular travel will be required
• 37 hours per week

We recognise the contribution people with criminal records can make as colleagues and we welcome all applications. A criminal record will not exclude a candidate from being appointed because of offences that are irrelevant to, and do not place them at, or make them a risk in the role they’re applying for.

The role you’re applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA). The successful candidate(s) will be asked to submit a basic disclosure and barring check application during pre‑employment checks.

Why Join Us?

We offer a generous benefits package to support your wellbeing and development, including:

• 26 days annual leave (rising to 31 after 3 years)
• Birthday leave
• Occupational pension
• Health cash plan
• Flexible benefits pot
• Access to funding for qualifications, conferences and learning events

Ready to Apply?

If this sounds like the role for you, apply now via our website: https://www.karbonhomes.co.uk/careers/ or via Indeed.

We love seeing the real you in your application. It’s fine to use AI tools for things like polishing grammar or improving formatting—but your CV and supporting statement should still reflect your own skills, experience and personality, so we do not accept applications that are fully generated by AI without your own input.

Key Dates

Closing date for applications: 02 January 2026.

We may close the advert early if we receive a high volume of strong applications – so don’t wait too long to apply!

Interview date: w/c 12 January 2026.

Just a quick heads‑up about our Christmas closure dates: We’ll be closed from Wednesday 24 December 2025 and back in the office on Friday 2 January 2026.

If you get in touch during this time, we’ll respond as soon as we’re back.

We’re Inclusive

We’re proud to be an inclusive employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria, you’ll be guaranteed an interview.

Need a reasonable adjustment to apply? Contact us at [e-mail]

A Note for Recruitment Agencies

We’re lucky to have a great Preferred Supplier List (PSL) in place, so we’re not looking for additional agency support right now. Thanks for understanding – we’ve got this covered!