Regional Grounds Maintenance Operative

United Utilities; Manchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days leave + bank holidays

Pension up to 14%

Performance bonus up to 7.5%

Healthcare plan

Wellbeing discounts

Best Doctors

EVolve Car Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Mental Health First Aiders

ShareBuy scheme

Flexible benefits

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Operative for our Davyhulme site in Manchester. You will undertake outdoor maintenance, vegetation management and soft landscaping across operational sites, supporting safety, environment and efficiency.

You will work in a hands-on team, operating ride-on mowers and other equipment, recording work in corporate systems and contributing to training and development.

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds maintenance and vegetation management.
• Ability to operate ride-on mowers and other grounds machinery.
• Full UK manual driving licence and willingness to tow trailers.
• Willingness to undertake chemicals near water qualifications (PA6/PA6INJ/PA6W).

Responsibilities

• Undertake grounds maintenance and landscaping across sites.
• Operate and check machinery daily.
• Record work accurately in corporate systems.
• Support training of new team members.
• Adhere to health, safety and environmental policies.
• Assist with seasonal maintenance programs.
• Build relationships with site teams and stakeholders.
• Apply invasive weed management and pesticide activities.
• Assist Team Leader to deliver projects safely, on time and within budget.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Vegetation management

Landscaping

Time management

Communication

Safety awareness

Customer service

Driving licence

Education

PA6/PA6INJ/PA6W chemicals near water qualification

NPTC Level 2 – Woodchipper Operations

City & Guilds/NVQ/Lantra in land-based discipline

Job description

Role details

Grounds Maintenance Operative

Location: Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works, Trafford Way, Urmston, Manchester, M17 8DD
Salary: £29,122
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time, 37 Hours Per Week
Work Type: Onsite

At United Utilities, our purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West. Every day, our teams help provide essential services to millions of customers while protecting the environment and supporting local communities.

We're looking for a dedicated and hands-on Grounds Maintenance Operative to join our team based at Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working outdoors, takes pride in high-quality workmanship, and wants to play a vital role in maintaining some of the region's most important operational sites.

If you're looking for a varied role where no two days are the same and where you can make a real difference to the appearance, safety and performance of our sites, we'd love to hear from you.

The Role

As a Grounds Maintenance Operative, you'll support the delivery of a wide range of maintenance and recovery activities across operational and non-operational United Utilities sites.

Working as part of a skilled team, you'll help ensure our treatment works and surrounding land are maintained to the highest standards, supporting site safety, environmental performance and operational efficiency.

What You'll Be Doing

• Undertaking grounds maintenance, vegetation management and soft landscaping activities across a variety of sites.
• Carrying out physically demanding outdoor work in a fast-changing environment, including work in close proximity to operational assets and environmental hazards.
• Supporting recovery works on operational and non-operational land, including vegetation clearance and specialist maintenance activities.
• Operating and conducting daily checks on a wide range of machinery, vehicles and equipment, including ride‑on mowers, tractors, trailers, agricultural equipment, robotic technology and handheld tools.
• Recording completed work accurately using United Utilities' corporate systems.
• Carrying out minor remedial works such as repairs to fencing, flags and other non-asset infrastructure.
• Supporting the training and development of new team members, including Youth Employment Programme participants and agency workers.
• Adhering to all health, safety and environmental legislation, company policies and site‑specific risk assessments.
• Identifying opportunities to improve site standards and support seasonal maintenance programmes.
• Building effective working relationships with site-based operational teams and other stakeholders.
• Supporting invasive weed management and pesticide application activities.
• Assisting the Team Leader in delivering projects safely, on time and within budget.
• Supporting collaborative working across United Utilities to ensure successful project delivery.
• Taking ownership of task‑based activities when required and ensuring effective communication between management and operatives.
• Undertaking any other reasonable duties as required by the business.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking someone with a strong work ethic, excellent practical skills and a passion for maintaining outdoor environments.

You will have:

• Practical experience of grounds maintenance, vegetation management, landscaping or similar outdoor maintenance activities.
• Experience using a range of grounds maintenance equipment such as strimmers, hedge cutters, blowers, pedestrian mowers and ride‑on mowers.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to work effectively to schedules.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• The ability to dynamically assess risk and work safely in changing environments.
• A commitment to delivering excellent customer service.
• A full UK Manual driving licence.
• The willingness to tow trailers and undertake relevant training if required.
• Hold or be willing to work towards if required qualifications to apply Chemicals near water. (Formally PA6/PA6INJ/PA6W)
• Hold or be willing to work towards if required NPTC Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Manually Fed Woodchipper Operations qualification

Technical Skills & Experience

Development Opportunities

We are committed to investing in our people and supporting career development. You will be encouraged to work towards qualifications where required, including:

• Class C Driving Licence
• Pesticide Application Qualifications (PA6, PA6INJ, PA6W or equivalent)
• NPTC Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Manually Fed Woodchipper Operations

Desirable Qualifications

City & Guilds, NVQ or Lantra qualifications within an agricultural, horticultural or land-based discipline

Why Choose United Utilities?

As one of the UK's leading FTSE 100 companies, we offer a comprehensive rewards package designed to support your wellbeing, development and future career.

Our benefits include:

• 26 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with service
• Competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus
• Company-funded healthcare plan
• MyGymDiscounts membership and wellbeing discounts
• Best Doctors service
• Salary Finance support
• Wealth at Work financial wellbeing courses
• Employee discounts and savings
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• ShareBuy scheme
• MORE Choices flexible benefits package

Enhanced parental leave policies

Join a Team That Makes a Difference

At United Utilities, you'll be part of an organisation committed to protecting the environment, investing in its people and delivering an essential service to customers across the North West.

If you're looking for a practical, rewarding outdoor role with excellent development opportunities and long-term career prospects, we'd love to hear from you.