Outdoor Grounds Operative: Improve Public Spaces

Somerset Council; Taunton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

LGPS pension

Training and development

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteering opportunities

Supportive team environment

Outdoor work in communities

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Grounds Operative to maintain public spaces across Wellington and Somerset. The role is outdoors, varied, and community-facing, with a focus on safety and quality of spaces used by residents and visitors.

You will join a team delivering grounds maintenance and horticultural services, with opportunities to learn and develop in a supportive environment. The post is based in Wellington with travel across Somerset.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence required.
• Good understanding of health and safety requirements, including COSHH.
• Experience in outdoor manual work and using hand-operated equipment.
• Good physical fitness with ability to lift and move materials and equipment.
• Ability to work safely in varying weather conditions.
• Basic IT skills (Outlook, Word, Teams) and willingness to learn new systems.
• Good general education or equivalent practical experience.
• Good teamwork and flexible approach to work.

Responsibilities

• Carry out grounds and horticultural work (grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting, weeding, upkeep).
• Maintain highways, verges, housing areas, cemeteries, parks and landscaped sites.
• Remove litter, leaves, graffiti and flyposting to keep spaces clean.
• Use hand tools, powered equipment and ride-on machinery (with training).
• Support seasonal and emergency work, including flood response and sandbagging.
• Drive council vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes, perform checks and report defects.
• Report issues such as vandalism and damage to supervisors.
• Complete basic paperwork and electronic records accurately.

Skills

Driving licence

Health & safety (COSHH)

Outdoor manual work

Physical fitness

IT skills (Outlook/Word/Teams)

General education

Teamwork

Tools

Hand tools

Ride-on machinery

Job description

Somerset Council is seeking a Grounds Operative to maintain public spaces across Wellington and Somerset. The role is outdoors, varied, and community-facing, with a focus on safety and quality of spaces used by residents and visitors.

You will join a team delivering grounds maintenance and horticultural services, with opportunities to learn and develop in a supportive environment. The post is based in Wellington with travel across Somerset.