NLGV Driver Operative - Grounds Maintenance

Thurrock Council; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave entitlement

Flexible and hybrid working where/when

Ongoing training and development

Employee assistance programme

Staff discounts

Supportive and inclusive environment

Job summary

Thurrock Council is recruiting an NLGV Driver Operative to join the Grounds Maintenance Team. The role covers a locality-based service across parks, housing areas, cemeteries, and council spaces, promoting biodiversity and sustainable grounds management.

You will be responsible for outdoor duties, operating 3.5t GVW vehicles and ride-on mowers, following health and safety standards and routine data recording using in-cab systems and digital reporting tools.

Qualifications

• Category B driving licence.
• Ability to drive and operate a range of non-LGV vehicles including ride-on mowers.
• Awareness of manual handling and safe lifting techniques.
• Knowledge of basic maintenance and care of plant, equipment and vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Carry out a range of horticultural and grounds maintenance work across parks, open spaces, and cemeteries.
• Work as part of an integrated Area Team delivering grounds maintenance across a defined locality.
• Record work using digital systems and in-cab tools for performance reporting.
• Apply health and safety standards in all tasks.
• Operate vehicles including 3.5t GVW and ride-on mowers.

Skills

Category B driving licence

Non-LGV vehicle operation

Manual handling awareness

Digital literacy

Job description

NLGV Driver Operative - Grounds Maintenance

Job Title: NLGV Driver Operative - Grounds Maintenance

Grade: C

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

We are seeking a NLGV Driver Operative to join the Grounds Maintenance Team. This post forms part of the new locality-based Clean & Green operational structure, delivering efficient, sustainable, and high-quality grounds maintenance services across the borough of Thurrock.

About the Role

As a NLGV Driver Operative, you will be responsible for:

• Carrying out a range of horticultural and grounds maintenance work ensuring that a high standard of grounds maintenance is achieved in parks, open spaces, housing areas, cemeteries and other council owned spaces supporting biodiversity, waste reduction, and sustainable grounds management.
• Working as part of an integrated Area Team delivering grounds maintenance across a defined locality.
• Providing grounds maintenance duties through daily work scheduling in line with required standards and ensuring compliance with all aspects of health and safety. Vehicles include, but are not limited to, vehicles 3.5t GVW and under including ride‑on mowers.
• Working flexibly and as part of a team to provide excellent grounds maintenance services to the community.
• Collaborative working with Street Cleansing, Highways Maintenance, and Waste Collections teams to reflect the new integrated Clean & Green Structure.
• Ensuring that accurate records of work undertaken are maintained using digital systems and data‑driven monitoring, e.g., Bartec, in‑cab systems, or Power BI for performance management and reporting.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who has:

• Willing to undertake outside working of a physical nature in all weather conditions
• Ability to work alone when required, with minimal supervision
• Ability to communicate clearly, simply and effectively to a range of audiences
• Good general education, including a good standard of numeracy and literacy
• Basic digital literacy - ability to use handheld or in‑cab systems for task recording

Essential Qualifications

• Category B driving licence
• Ability to drive and operate a range of non‑LGV vehicles including vehicles under 3,500kg GVW and ride‑on mowers
• Awareness of manual handling and safe lifting techniques
• Knowledge of basic maintenance and care of plant, equipment and vehicles

DBS Check: Not Required

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 19th November 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 29th November 2026

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

Mark Norrington - Clean & Green Area Manager

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

If the Person Specification lists essential qualifications, please ensure you upload copies of your certificates to your application form.