Plant Operator - Driver/Gardening (Public Sector)

VanRath; Warrenpoint; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organization in Northern Ireland is seeking an experienced Plant Operator-Driver/Gardening to join their operations team. This role involves operating machinery, maintaining parks, and leading a work team. Candidates should have a valid Category C1 licence, experience in plant operation, and strong organizational skills. The position offers a competitive hourly rate and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Competitive hourly rate

Opportunities for training and development

Stable public sector employment

Qualifications

• Valid Category C1 licence required.
• Full CPC / Driver Qualification Card is essential.
• Minimum 2 years' experience with a Category C1 licence.
• Knowledge of health & safety procedures necessary.

Responsibilities

• Operate plant machinery under varying weather conditions.
• Lead team for maintaining parks, gardens, and open spaces.
• Perform vehicle and equipment checks and routine maintenance.
• Undertake maintenance work in public parks and other areas.

Skills

Organizational skills

Customer service skills

Initiative

Reliability

Education

Valid Category C1 licence

Full CPC / Driver Qualification Card

2 years experience operating with a Category C1 licence

Working knowledge of health & safety procedures

Job description

Plant Operator - Driving/Gardening (Public Sector)

Our public sector client is seeking an experienced and motivated Plant Operator-Driver/Gardening to join their Operations team. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a well‑structured organisation delivering essential frontline services to the community. This will be an initial 4 month contract with great likelihood of extension.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Working in all weather conditions, the postholder will act as a plant operator and also as a work
  team leader for staff whose responsibility include the maintenance of the full range of the parks, gardens, pitches and open spaces
• Drive and be responsible for allocated vehicles and attachments. Duties will include
  vehicle/equipment checks, required routine maintenance (for example oil and water
  checks) and cleaning, transportation of goods equipment and personnel, assisting in the
  loading and unloading of vehicles using mechanical aids where appropriate, completion.
• Responsible For Contributing to the maintenance of the full range of
  the parks, gardens and open spaces as appropriate.
• Undertake work in public parks, playing fields, landscaped areas and similar open spaces, ie general maintenance of these areas e.g. grass cutting, hedge trimming, clearing leaves and litter, constructional labouring work, erection and dismantling of sports and other equipment, cleaning e.g. Council buildings such as changing rooms and toilets.
• Patrol and attendance activities eg. Collection and issuing of tickets and maintenance of orderly conduct by the public.
• Horticultural operations e.g. planting, pruning and seeding, grounds maintenance eg basic setting out and marking of sports areas and where appropriate chemical control under direction.
• Assistance to squads and teams with skilled tasks eg. Assistance with propagation and nursery care of plants, site preparation and construction.
• Operate powered hand tools and light plant machinery, including the operation of tractor‑mounted equipment, including 5 gang mowers, spikes, land levelers and mechanical diggers.
• Undertake activities largely utilising craft skills e.g interpretation of plans, site preparation and construction, soft and hard landscaping and setting out of pitches, tree care and propagation.
• Work with minimum supervision and be responsible for the direction of the work of trainers and/or other employees assigned to them.
• Liaise with the Pitch Attendants in regard to playing surface conditions and pitch availability for bookings.

About You

We are looking for individuals who can work both independently and as part of a team, with strong organisational and customer service skills.

Essential criteria include:

• Valid Category C1 licence.

• Full CPC / Driver Qualification Card.

• Minimum 2 years' experience operating with a Category C1 licence.

• Working knowledge of health & safety procedures (manual handling, reversing assistants).

• Ability to work with minimal supervision, demonstrating initiative and reliability.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in the waste management sector, particularly refuse collection and recycling.

• Experience operating mechanical sweepers.

Why Apply?

• Stable public sector employment.

• Competitive hourly rate plus allowance.

• Opportunities for training, development, and career progression.

• Be part of a supportive team delivering valued services to the community.

For further information on this vacancy, or any other Public Sector job in Rostrevor or wider Northern Ireland, please apply via the link below or contact Chris Haddock in the strictest confidence

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