Grounds Worker/ Gardner

Are you looking for a practical and rewarding role supporting essential NHS services? Synchronicity Care Limited (SCL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, providing Estates and Facilities services across Trust sites. An opportunity has arisen for a reliable and motivated Estates Grounds Worker to join the team at Darlington Memorial Hospital. This role is key to maintaining safe, clean and welcoming external environments for patients, staff and visitors. You will work as part of a supportive Estates team, delivering high-quality grounds maintenance services and supporting wider Estates operations across the site.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will carry out a range of grounds maintenance duties to ensure hospital grounds are safe, tidy and well presented throughout the year. This includes maintaining lawns, borders, hedges and horticultural areas, keeping pathways clear, and responding to seasonal requirements such as leaf clearance, snow clearing and gritting. You will operate grounds maintenance equipment and vehicles safely, work independently with minimal supervision, and support other Estates trades when required. The role requires flexibility, a strong awareness of health and safety, and a customer-focused approach when working in a busy healthcare environment.

Job responsibilities

The Estates Grounds Worker will provide a high-quality grounds maintenance service across Darlington Memorial Hospital, ensuring that all external areas are maintained to a safe, clean and professional standard. Duties include mowing lawns, maintaining borders and hedges, pruning, minor tree work, litter picking and sweeping roads and pathways. The role also involves seasonal activities such as leaf clearance, snow clearing and gritting of roads and footpaths to maintain safe access to hospital buildings. The post holder will operate agricultural vehicles, plant, tools and equipment in line with health and safety guidance and organisational policies. You will work closely with Estates colleagues and may be required to support other trades and teams as service needs dictate. The role requires effective communication with staff, contractors and members of the public, a flexible approach to duties, and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Participation in the winter oncall rota and occasional overtime are required to support essential services.

Person Specification

• Statutory Registration
• Full UK driving licence
• Special Requirements
• Eligible to live and work in the UK
• Willingness to participate in winter oncall rota (November to March)
• Flexibility to work overtime and respond to emergency situations such as snow and ice clearance
• Ability to carry out physically demanding work outdoors

Experience

• Experience working in a grounds maintenance or similar outdoor environment
• Experience using relevant tools, plant and equipment
• Experience of driving agricultural or grounds maintenance vehicles

Special Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Good communication skills when dealing with staff and the public
• Understanding of manual handling procedures
• Ability to work safely outdoors in all weather conditions
• Knowledge of horticulture, landscaping or pesticide use

Qualifications

• Good general level of education
• Awareness of health and safety at work
• Training in the use of grounds maintenance equipment or machinery

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.