Outdoor Grounds Operative – Parks, Cemeteries & Flood Response

The Methodist Church in Britain; Taunton; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Ongoing training and development

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Grounds Operative on a fixed-term basis until March 2028 to cover grounds and horticultural maintenance across parks, cemeteries, housing land, highways and landscaped sites. The role includes grass cutting, litter removal, use of hand tools and ride-on machinery, and occasional out-of-hours work.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; travel across Somerset is required and some flood response duties may be necessary.

Qualifications

• A good standard of general education or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Carry out grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting, weeding and general upkeep
• Maintain highways, verges, housing areas, cemeteries, parks and landscaped sites
• Remove litter, leaves, graffiti and flyposting
• Use hand tools, powered equipment and ride-on machinery, with training where required
• Support seasonal and emergency work, including flood response, watercourse clearance, snow and ice clearance and sandbagging
• Drive council vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes, carrying out daily checks and reporting defects
• Report vandalism, fly-tipping and damage to supervisors
• Complete paperwork and electronic records accurately
• Provide a professional, courteous service to members of the public
• Work flexibly, including occasional work outside normal hours

Skills

Outdoor manual work

Using hand-operated equipment

Health and safety COSHH

IT basics (Outlook/Word/Teams)

Teamwork

Education

General education or equivalent practical experience

Tools

Ride-on machinery

Hand tools

Job description

Somerset Council is seeking a Grounds Operative on a fixed-term basis until March 2028 to cover grounds and horticultural maintenance across parks, cemeteries, housing land, highways and landscaped sites. The role includes grass cutting, litter removal, use of hand tools and ride-on machinery, and occasional out-of-hours work.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; travel across Somerset is required and some flood response duties may be necessary.