Lead Grounds Operative

Livewest; West of England; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (2-3 days in office)

26–30 days annual leave

9% pension contributions

Health benefits & perks

Learning & development

Cycle to Work

Volunteer days

Job summary

LiveWest is seeking a Lead Grounds Operative for mobile work across the Bristol area. You will lead grounds maintenance, operate horticultural machinery, and ensure high safety and quality standards in estates.

Role requires driving licence, horticultural knowledge, and a proactive approach to community-facing duties; includes badge training and ongoing support.

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds maintenance; basic horticulture knowledge (weeding, planting, pruning).
• Safe operation and maintenance of horticultural tools, machinery, and pesticides.
• Qualified in Horticulture Level 1 and PA1/PA6 - safe pesticide use.
• Good physical fitness for outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Understanding of COSHH and PUWER health and safety regulations.
• Basic digital literacy; training provided.
• Full UK manual driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead grounds maintenance tasks to professional standards (grass cutting, hedge trimming, weeding, leaves).
• Operate and safely maintain machinery (mowers, hedge cutters, brush cutters, leaf blowers).
• Inspect communal areas; report defects, fly-tipping, vandalism, safeguarding concerns.
• Promote health and safety procedures; ensure safe working practices.
• Engage with customers; respond to queries and escalate concerns.
• Record completed work using handheld digital tech (training provided).
• Support seasonal tasks (gritting, urgent estate responses).
• Lead high-risk activities such as weed spraying and operating specialist machinery.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Driving licence (UK)

Digital reporting

Health & safety knowledge

Horticultural knowledge

Education

Horticulture Level 1

PA1 & PA6 pesticide certificates

LANTRA certification

Tools

Mowers

Hedge cutters

Brush cutters

Leaf blowers

Job description

About The Role

Are you passionate about outdoor work and making a visible difference in your community? Do you take pride in high standards and enjoy leading by example? If so, we'd love to hear from you!

We are looking for a Lead Grounds Operativewho will play an important role in keeping our neighbourhoods looking their best. You'll deliver a high-quality grounds maintenance services across our estates, ensuring that our open spaces are safe, tidy, and attractive places for our customers and communities to enjoy.

Working as part of our Estates team, you will maintain a variety of outdoor spaces to a professional standard, taking pride in your work and representing LiveWest's values every day. You will help to keep our communities looking great, while ensuring that health and safety standards are upheld at all times.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the delivery of grounds maintenance tasks, including grass cutting, hedge trimming, weeding, leaf clearance, and shrub bed care to professional standards.
• Operate and maintain horticultural machinery safely, including mowers, hedge cutters, brush cutters, and leaf blowers.
• Conduct routine inspections of communal areas, reporting defects, fly-tipping, vandalism, and safeguarding concerns.
• Promote and adhere to health and safety procedures, ensuring safe working practices at all times.
• Engage positively with customers, responding to queries and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Record completed work using handheld digital technology (training provided).
• Support seasonal and emergency tasks such as gritting and urgent estate responses.
• Lead of higher-risk activities such as weed spraying and operating specialist machinery.

Why Join LiveWest:

At LiveWest, we believe in creating better places to live, work and grow.

As a Lead Grounds Operative, you'll be part of a team that makes a real difference to the look and feel of our communities. You'll take pride in keeping our outdoor space clean, green, and welcoming for our customers, and you'll receive the training, tools, and support you need to do your best work.

If you enjoy working outdoors, take pride in high standards, and want to be part of a supportive team that values your contribution, then this is the perfect opportunity for you.

This role is being offered on a full time basis working40hours per week.This is a mobile role, working predominantly in theBristolarea.You will ideally be based within a30 minute commuteof this areas.

DBS Statement:

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups. Appointment to this role is subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.

About The Candidate

To be successful in your application for the role of Lead Grounds Operative, you will have the essential skills and experience for a level 1 role (please see candidate information pack) and the following role specific skills and experience:

• Previous experience in grounds maintenance, with basic horticultural knowledge including weeding, planting, and pruning.
• Familiarity with safe operation and maintenance of horticultural tools, machinery, and pesticides.
• Qualified in Horticulture Level 1 and PA1 and PA6 - safe pesticide use.
• Good physical fitness to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Understanding of health and safety regulations - COSHH and PUWER.
• Basic digital literacy (training provided).
• Full, UK, manual driving licence.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

• LANTRA certified training.
• Experience in customer facing roles.
• Ability to supervise and plan work effectively, using own initiative.

Please note:This role is not eligible for CoS. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the role without requiring a CoS.

About The Company

Our Reward and Benefits:

• Working Style:Hybrid working with 2 - 3 days in the office to support your work/life balance. *remove if scheme or office based
• Generous Annual Leave:Start with 26 days, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with length of service - and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days (pro rated for part time roles).
• Pension Contributions:Enjoy up to 9% employer contributions with our Defined Contribution scheme.
• Health Benefits and Perks:Access to a health care cash plan (worth up to £1,100 annually), virtual GP services, discounted gym memberships, and retail discounts including access to a Blue Light Card.
• Learning and Development:Invest in your future with ongoing personal and professional growth opportunities.
• Family Support:Policies designed to help you balance work and family life, including a new child payment.
• Wellbeing Matters:Prioritise your health with mental health support, enhanced sick pay, wellness campaigns, and free flu jabs.
• Smarter Travel:Save with our Cycle to Work and Car Benefit schemes.
• Giving Back:Up to four paid volunteering days a year to support our communities.

About Us:

At LiveWest, we are united by a shared mission: to create a home for everyone. Each of us takes pride in playing our part in achieving this goal.

Our values guide everything we do - from how we work together to how we deliver exceptional services to our customers. Collaboration is at the heart of LiveWest, and we believe that we achieve more when we deliver together.

As one of the largest employers in the South West, our team of 1,800 talented colleagues provides a wide range of services to our 80,000 customers. We are passionate about nurturing local talent and creating opportunities for people within the communities we serve.

We are committed to supporting our colleagues, giving them the autonomy and encouragement they need to thrive and reach their full potential. Together, we are building brighter futures for everyone.

Inclusion at LiveWest:

At LiveWest, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We believe that our differences drive innovation, creativity, and excellence, and we strive to create an environment where all colleagues can thrive. As a proud member of Inclusive Employers, a Disability Confident Employer, and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are dedicated to supporting all our colleagues and ensuring that our workplace is welcoming and accessible to all.

We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our team. LiveWest is dedicated to equal opportunity and actively works to eliminate discrimination and promote diversity at all levels.

Join us in our mission to create vibrant and inclusive communities. Make a difference with LiveWest, where every voice is heard, and every contribution is valued.

You can read more about Inclusion at LiveWest by visiting our website.