Outdoor Grounds Operative – Parks & Public Spaces

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

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Training and development opportunities

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a fixed-term Grounds Operative based in Yeovil to support its grounds maintenance service across the county. The role covers parks, cemeteries, verges, highways, housing areas and landscaped sites, with outdoor, hands-on duties and seasonal/emergency work such as flood response and snow clearance.

Occasional work outside normal hours is required. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK and, ideally, a full UK driving licence.

Qualifications

• A good standard of general education or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience of outdoor manual work and using hand-operated equipment.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements (COSHH) and ability to work safely in varying weather.
• Basic IT skills in Outlook, Word and Teams, and ability to learn new systems.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting, weeding and general upkeep of grounds and horticultural areas.
• Maintaining highways, verges, housing areas, cemeteries, parks and landscaped sites.
• Removing litter, leaves, graffiti and flyposting.
• Operating hand tools, powered equipment and ride-on machinery, with appropriate training.
• Supporting seasonal and emergency work, including flood response, watercourse clearance, snow and ice clearance and sandbagging.
• Driving council vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes, with daily checks and defect reporting.
• Reporting vandalism, fly-tipping and damage to supervisors.
• Completing paperwork and electronic records accurately.
• Providing a professional and courteous service to members of the public.
• Working flexibly, including occasional work outside normal hours

Skills

Outdoor manual work

Health and safety COSHH

Physical fitness

IT basics

Teamwork

Education

General education or equivalent practical experience

Tools

Hand tools

Ride-on machinery

Job description

Somerset Council is seeking a fixed-term Grounds Operative based in Yeovil to support its grounds maintenance service across the county. The role covers parks, cemeteries, verges, highways, housing areas and landscaped sites, with outdoor, hands-on duties and seasonal/emergency work such as flood response and snow clearance.

Occasional work outside normal hours is required. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK and, ideally, a full UK driving licence.