OR113863- Grounds Maintenance Operative EK

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Slough; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Slough Borough Council is seeking five Grounds Maintenance Operatives to undertake gardening and manual labour across council outdoor spaces, including parks and communal grounds. The roles require practical outdoor work, safe use of equipment, and the ability to work as part of a team or independently.

This is a temporary position with a target start in September 2026 and offers hands-on experience in public outdoor spaces.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in gardening, grounds maintenance, landscaping or related outdoor work.
• Experience using gardening and grounds maintenance tools and equipment.
• Experience working safely with tools and machinery.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work to schedules.
• Experience working in a team and independently.
• Physically able to perform demanding outdoor tasks.

Responsibilities

• Carry out grass cutting, mowing, edging and strimming of designated areas.
• Undertake hedge and shrub maintenance, trimming and pruning.
• Carry out weeding, planting and general horticultural activities.
• Undertake leaf clearance, litter picking and removal of green waste.
• Operate grounds maintenance machinery safely and responsibly.
• Maintain parks, gardens and outdoor spaces to a clean, safe standard.
• Follow daily work programmes and health and safety procedures.

Skills

Grass cutting

Strimming

Hedge maintenance

Weeding and planting

Teamwork

Health and safety awareness

Outdoor manual tasks

Education

Grounds maintenance training

Health and safety training

Tools

Grass mowers

Strimmers/brush cutters

Hedge trimmers

Leaf blowers

Gardening hand tools

Job description

Grounds Maintenance Operative – Manual Labour

Customer: Slough Borough Council
Employment Type: Temporary
Number of Positions: 5
Target Start Date: 7 September 2026

Job Purpose

To undertake a range of grounds maintenance, gardening and manual labour duties across council-maintained outdoor areas. The postholder will help maintain parks, open spaces, landscaped areas, communal grounds and other public spaces to ensure they remain clean, safe, attractive and well-presented.

The role requires practical outdoor work, the safe use of grounds maintenance equipment and the ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Carry out grass cutting, mowing, edging and strimming of designated areas.
• Undertake hedge and shrub maintenance, including trimming, pruning and general vegetation control.
• Carry out weeding, planting and general horticultural activities.
• Undertake leaf clearance, litter picking and removal of green waste and other debris.
• Operate grounds maintenance machinery, tools and equipment safely and responsibly.
• Carry out basic cleaning, inspection and routine maintenance of grounds maintenance machinery and equipment.
• Maintain parks, gardens, pathways, communal areas and other outdoor spaces to a clean, safe and presentable standard.
• Follow daily work programmes, schedules, instructions and agreed service standards.
• Identify and report hazards, damaged equipment, defects or other issues to the relevant supervisor.
• Work cooperatively with colleagues and contribute effectively to team activities.
• Work independently when required, using initiative to complete allocated tasks.
• Ensure work is carried out in accordance with relevant health and safety procedures.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Undertake physically demanding manual tasks, including lifting, digging, bending, walking and prolonged periods of standing.
• Complete allocated duties within agreed deadlines and to the required standard.
• Support other reasonable grounds maintenance and manual labour duties as required by the service.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience of gardening, grounds maintenance, landscaping, horticulture or similar outdoor work.
• Experience using gardening, grounds maintenance or other outdoor tools and equipment.
• Experience of working safely with tools and machinery.
• Experience working to deadlines, schedules or planned work programmes.
• Experience working effectively as part of a team.
• Experience undertaking physically demanding outdoor work.

Desirable

• Previous experience within a local authority, public-sector organisation or similar grounds maintenance environment.
• Experience maintaining parks, public open spaces, communal grounds or landscaped areas.
• Experience carrying out basic maintenance and checks on grounds maintenance machinery.
• Manual handling training.
• Health and safety training.
• Training in the safe use of grounds maintenance machinery.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Practical ability to undertake grass cutting and strimming.
• Ability to undertake hedge and shrub maintenance.
• Ability to carry out weeding, planting and general horticultural work.
• Ability to undertake leaf clearance and litter picking.
• Ability to use hand tools and basic grounds maintenance machinery safely.
• Good understanding of workplace health and safety requirements.
• Ability to follow instructions and work to schedules.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to use initiative when completing routine tasks.
• Ability to maintain good standards of cleanliness, safety and presentation.
• Ability to work outdoors in difficult and changing weather conditions.
• Physically capable of carrying out manual and grounds maintenance duties.

Qualifications and Training

Desirable

• Qualification or training in horticulture, gardening, landscaping or grounds maintenance.
• Relevant grounds maintenance or environmental services training.
• Manual handling training.
• Health and safety training.
• Training in the safe use of grounds maintenance machinery.

Relevant practical experience may be considered alongside or instead of formal qualifications, where appropriate.

Machinery and Equipment

The postholder may be required to safely operate and undertake basic maintenance of:

• Grass mowers and grass-cutting equipment.
• Strimmers / brush cutters.
• Hedge trimmers.
• Leaf blowers.
• Gardening hand tools.
• Other grounds maintenance machinery and equipment relevant to the service.

Working Conditions

The role is predominantly outdoors and involves working in varying weather conditions throughout the year.

The postholder will undertake physically demanding activities, including walking, standing, bending, lifting, digging, cutting and general manual labour. Appropriate personal protective equipment must be used in accordance with council procedures.

Behavioural Requirements

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• A reliable and responsible approach to work.
• Commitment to health and safety.
• A practical and flexible attitude.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.
• Ability to work independently and use initiative.
• Good time management and ability to meet deadlines.
• Willingness to undertake varied manual and outdoor duties.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards across public outdoor spaces.