Maintenance / Grounds Person (Flexible Role)

Eric Wright; Coniston; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

BUPA joining contribution

26 days holiday (pro rata)

Extra holiday with 5 years service

Lunch provided

PPE provided

Own transport required

Job summary

Water Park, a 65-acre residential outdoor education centre near Coniston Water, is seeking a motivated Maintenance/Grounds Person to join our team. The role is flexible, 3/4/5 days a week, with a salary of £32,000 pro rata.

Working alongside the Grounds Manager, you will handle general and grounds maintenance, take part in compliance and technology-driven improvements, and bring electrical maintenance skills if possible. Own transport is essential due to our remote location.

Qualifications

• Proven maintenance experience across trades.
• Qualifications in chainsaw, electrical or plumbing are an advantage.
• Willingness to learn and adopt new technologies.

Responsibilities

• General maintenance: woodwork, plumbing, glazing, plasterwork and more.
• Grounds maintenance: cutting, clearing, resurfacing and repairs.
• Support on compliance, and implement tech-enabled processes.
• Electrical maintenance/repair skills are highly valued.
• Drive continuous improvement and skill development.

Skills

General maintenance

Grounds maintenance

Electrical skills

Tech integration

Education

Trades qualifications (chainsaw / electrical / plumbing)

Job description

Water Park is a 65-acre residential outdoor education centre on the south-east shore of Coniston Water. We are supported by the Eric Wright Trust and are part of the Eric Wright Group, headquartered in Preston. Our well-funded centre boasts amazing grounds and resources, and a forward-thinking team always seeking ways to improve the experience we offer our clients.

We have a team of over 20 people, comprising housekeepers, a grounds manager, instructors, chefs, trainee instructors, and a management team. We cater to a wide range of clients, primarily young people (about 90% of our work), including primary school groups and some adult corporate courses. We can accommodate up to 37 clients at a time, and groups typically stay Monday–Friday or over a weekend. The centre is open for 340 days a year, with clients in for most of these days, and we also have two day-visit centres on site which are used throughout the year.

A crucial part of our mission is ensuring that children from the most deprived areas of the North West of England can access the best possible enrichment through adventure. Our staff are well qualified, passionate, and highly skilled at delivering this transformative outdoor experience.

OUR CULTURE

At Water Park, our core values guide everything we do:

• Brilliance: the target for everything that we do.
• Invested: in ourselves, our clients and the Water Park cause.
• Professional Family: being supportive, kind, open and honest.
• Own It: always owning your responsibilities, actions and contributions.
• Growth: proud to share, adapt and solve.

THE POSITION

We are seeking a motivated individual to join our team as a Maintenance/Grounds Person, working alongside our current Grounds Manager. The role is flexible, 3/4/5 days a week—and offers a salary of (£32,000 pro rata). We value adaptability and the ability to collaborate on projects, as well as working independently when needed.

Key Responsibilities

• General Maintenance: woodwork, plumbing, glazing, plasterwork, and more.
• Grounds Maintenance: grass cutting, leaf collecting, path resurfacing, dry stone wall repairs, chainsaw work, wood chopping, etc.
• Technological Integration & Compliance: we have many compliance requirements, and we welcome innovative, tech‑savvy approaches to manage and streamline these processes effectively.
• Electrical Skills: any experience or qualifications in electrical maintenance/repair will be highly appreciated.
• Continuous Improvement: we encourage the ability to evolve, learn new skills, and contribute fresh ideas to enhance our operations.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Proven experience in general maintenance work.
• Relevant qualifications (e.g., chainsaw, electrical, plumbing, etc.) are an advantage.
• Willingness to develop current skill set and learn new technologies.
• High standards of work with strong attention to detail.
• Friendly and approachable, especially when working around clients (including children).
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.

DETAILS

• Contributory pension scheme available.
• Optional BUPA joining contribution.
• 26 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays) per year, pro rata. You may be required to use some holiday during our Christmas closedown. Extra days holiday for every 5-years worked.
• The role involves unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults. All applications are subject to an enhanced DBS check and normal employment checks.
• Lunch and appropriate PPE are provided.
• Own transport is essential due to our remote location.
• Interviews will be held w/c 7th December 2026