Tree Surgery Ground Operative

Southampton City Council; Southampton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent pension

Paid holiday

Training and development

Flexible working options

Employee benefits

Job summary

Southampton City Council is seeking a Ground Operative to support tree maintenance across parks, highways and public spaces in Southampton. You will work as part of the Tree Surgery Team, contributing to safe, efficient outdoor work and customer-focused service.

The role requires practical arboriculture experience, a full UK driving licence, and a positive attitude toward safety and teamwork within a supportive environment. Training and career development are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in arboriculture or grounds maintenance.
• Competent in safety and customer service.
• Full UK driving licence required.
• Towing entitlement and woodchipper qualification advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support tree maintenance operations across Southampton parks, highways, schools and other public spaces.
• Maintain trees and green spaces as part of a skilled team.
• Assist in the safe use of chainsaws on the ground.
• Contribute to safety and customer service in every task.

Skills

Driving licence

Chainsaw use

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Education

Level 2 arboriculture qualification

Tools

Woodchipper qualification

Job description

About this role:

Join Southampton City Council's Tree Surgery Team and help care for the city's trees and green spaces.

We are looking for a hardworking, reliable and enthusiastic Ground Operative to support tree maintenance operations across Southampton. Working as part of a skilled and supportive team, you will help maintain trees in parks, highways, schools and other public spaces, making a real difference to the local environment and community.

This is a practical, outdoor role where no two days are the same. We are looking for someone who enjoys working as part of a team, takes pride in their work and has a positive attitude towards safety and customer service.

You will have experience of working in arboriculture, forestry, grounds maintenance or a similar outdoor environment and be competent in the safe use of chainsaws on the ground.

A full UK driving licence is essential. A towing entitlement, woodchipper qualification and a Level 2 qualification in arboriculture or a related discipline would be advantageous.

In return, we offer secure employment, excellent benefits, structured pay progression and support for training and career development.

Working hours (typical pattern but may require some flexibility):

Monday to Thursday: 7:30am to 3:30pm
Friday: 7:30am to 3:00pm

For further information about this role, please view the job description.

What we can offer you:

Salary: The salary band for this role is £29,742 - £32,046 per annum. The starting salary is £29,742 with annual progression through the salary bands.

Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.

• Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
• Generous holiday 25-31 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role-dependent)
• Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
• Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

For further information on our benefits package please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)

Contact details for informal discussion: For more information or an informal discussion about the role please contact James Cairncross, Tree Surgery Supervisor on 07917 555559 or Will Taylor Arboricultural Manager on 07831 378134

Recruitment contact details:

Email: [e-mail] Tel: [phone] For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council