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- Tasks: Join our team to maintain beautiful outdoor spaces and support community services.
- Company: Blue Arrow, a trusted employer with a commitment to inclusivity.
- Benefits: Earn £13.26 per hour with regular hours and long-term job security.
- Other info: Immediate start available; apply now and hear back within 48 hours!
- Why this job: Work outdoors, make a difference, and enjoy a physically active role.
- Qualifications: Experience in grounds maintenance or relevant certifications preferred.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 28000 £ per year.
Location: Ilkeston
Pay: £13.26 per hour
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 7:30am - 4:00pm; Friday: 7:30am - 12:30pm
Contract: Long‐Term Temporary Positions
Blue Arrow is recruiting for five long‐term temporary Maintenance roles to support essential grounds, environmental and public space maintenance across local sites in Ilkeston. These opportunities offer regular hours and ongoing work for dependable, physically fit candidates who enjoy working outdoors.
- Vacancy 1 - Cemetery Grave Digging Operative
This role supports burial services and requires sensitivity, resilience, and experience in physically demanding outdoor work.
Responsibilities:- Manual grave digging and preparation
- Operating a 360° mini excavator (certification required)
- Supporting burial services in a respectful manner
- Working in muddy, outdoor conditions
- Previous grave digging experience
- 360° mini excavator qualification
- Ability to manage emotional demands of the role
- Good level of physical fitness
- Vacancy 2 - Play Area Maintenance / Groundworker
Supporting the inspection, repair and installation of play areas and public infrastructure.
Responsibilities:- Inspecting and repairing children's play equipment
- Installing street furniture
- Mixing and laying concrete and tarmac
- General groundworks and maintenance tasks
- Experience in play area maintenance or groundworks
- Street Works and Abrasive Wheels tickets preferred
- Confident using hand tools
- Groundworks experience desirable
- Vacancy 3 - Sports Groundsman
Maintaining high‐standard sports pitches and fine turf areas.
Responsibilities:- Fine turf maintenance (cricket, bowls, croquet, golf)
- Pitch preparation and line marking
- Ongoing sports grounds maintenance
- Experience maintaining fine turf
- Sports pitch marking experience
- PA1/PA6 certification
- Pedestrian or ride‐on rotary/cylinder mower certification
- Vacancy 4 & Vacancy 5 - Grounds Maintenance Operatives (2 roles)
General grounds maintenance across highways, open spaces and cemeteries.
Responsibilities:- Grass cutting and vegetation control
- Strimming, hedge cutting and general grounds duties
- Supporting seasonal maintenance activities
- Experience using grounds maintenance equipment
- PA1/PA6 certification
- Pedestrian or ride‐on mower experience
- Strimmer, hedge cutter and chainsaw experience (certificates desirable)
After submission of your application you will hear within 24-48 working hours.
Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.
Grounds Maintenance Operative - Immediate Start in Ilkeston employer: Blue Arrow - Derby
Contact Detail:
Blue Arrow - Derby Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Grounds Maintenance Operative - Immediate Start in Ilkeston
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Blue Arrow and their values. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when it’s your turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress for success! Even though this is a hands-on job, showing up looking neat and professional can make a great first impression. It shows you take the opportunity seriously.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Grounds Maintenance Operative - Immediate Start in Ilkeston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience for the Grounds Maintenance Operative role. We want to see your skills in outdoor work, equipment handling, and any certifications you have that match the job description.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about grounds maintenance and how your previous experiences make you a great fit for our team. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Your Certifications: If you've got any relevant qualifications like PA1/PA6 or experience with a 360° mini excavator, make sure these are front and centre in your application. We love seeing candidates who come prepared!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s quick and easy, and we’ll get back to you within 24-48 working hours after you submit your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Arrow - Derby
✨Know Your Role
Make sure you understand the specific requirements of the Grounds Maintenance Operative position. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities like grass cutting, strimming, and using grounds maintenance equipment. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience related to the job. Whether it's grave digging, play area maintenance, or sports pitch upkeep, be ready to share specific examples of your work. Highlight any relevant certifications, like PA1/PA6, to demonstrate your qualifications.
✨Demonstrate Physical Fitness
Since this role requires a good level of physical fitness, be prepared to talk about how you maintain your fitness and handle physically demanding tasks. You might even want to mention any outdoor activities you enjoy that keep you active.
✨Be Respectful and Sensitive
For roles like cemetery grave digging, it's crucial to convey your understanding of the emotional demands involved. Be ready to discuss how you would approach sensitive situations with care and respect, showing that you can handle the responsibilities with the right attitude.