At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Grounds Maintenance team to keep communal areas beautiful and safe.
- Company: Be part of Abri, a leading housing provider dedicated to community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, a generous pension, and health packages from day one.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to inclusivity await you!
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while working outdoors and with a great team.
- Qualifications: Practical horticultural knowledge is a plus; enthusiasm and teamwork are essential.
The predicted salary is between 24660 - 30140 £ per year.
The Grounds Maintenance team is responsible for the cyclical upkeep of the communal areas to our customers. This covers a large geographical area and includes market rent, shared ownership, and independent living communities on many estates or the whole estate. We also provide a reactionary service to deal with hazards such as dumped items and clearing snow on our independent living blocks. We manage the trees, aiming to retain as many as possible or replant if any are removed, as they play a significant role in our communities by providing shade and promoting healthy wellbeing while offsetting our carbon footprint.
We have an exciting opportunity for three Grounds Maintenance Operatives to join our team based in Eastleigh. We're looking for a proactive team player with a good eye for detail who is seeking a new challenge. Working within a team, you'll be responsible for the upkeep of the external communal areas, grass, shrubs, and hedges. You may also be required to undertake soft landscaping or minor tree work. You'll cover sites across Eastleigh, Hampshire, and surrounding areas from our main base and have the flexibility to plan your workload within a fortnightly round. This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic, self-motivated, and well-driven individual looking to contribute to a dynamic and diverse team.
What you'll need:
- Practical amenity horticultural knowledge & experience
- PA1 and PA6AW qualifications (desirable, but not essential)
- NPTC certification or equivalent (desirable, but not essential)
- A full driver’s licence (with towing licence desirable)
We’ll provide you with your uniform, a van fitted with a van vault, racking and inverter, a fuel card, company tablet & mobile, as well as the PPE you need. You’ll be entitled to all the usual benefits from day one, including 28 days holiday a year, generous pension and life assurance schemes, and access to health and wellbeing packages.
Abri is a large housing provider that owns and manages more than 58,000 homes and various community assets, serving around 113,000 customers across the South of England. We believe everyone has the right to a good quality safe, warm, and sustainable home in a community where they can belong, grow, and thrive.
What you can expect:
- 28 days holiday + the opportunity to buy and sell holiday
- Generous pension scheme with contributions up to 10%
- Money off tons of high street and online retailers
- Life assurance of 5x your annual salary
- Generous parental and family leave
- Health and wellbeing packages
- Flexible working
- Free eye tests
- Cycle to Work scheme
We’re committed to promoting an inclusive culture and value the individual differences, life experiences, and knowledge that all our colleagues bring into the workplace. We welcome applications from Abri customers and provide an opportunity for applicants to let us know if they are a customer as part of the application process. When customers meet the essential criteria of the role, we will commit to interview at least two customers as part of our Customer Positive scheme.
We recognise the benefits flexible working can bring and aim to support colleagues who need to work flexibly wherever we can, provided the needs of both Abri and the colleague can be met.
Grounds Maintenance Operative x3 in Eastleigh employer: Abri
Join our dynamic Safety Assurance Team as a Safety Assurance Analyst, where you'll play a crucial role in ensuring the health and safety of landlords. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that values employee growth and development, offering comprehensive training and career advancement opportunities. Located in a vibrant area, our company provides unique benefits such as flexible working arrangements and a supportive environment that encourages innovation and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Grounds Maintenance Operative x3 in Eastleigh
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like Abri.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like Abri.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at Abri; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Grounds Maintenance Operative x3 in Eastleigh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at Abri.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Grounds Maintenance Operative x3.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Abri is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at Abri a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Abri
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at Abri might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
