At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain beautiful outdoor spaces through grass cutting, pruning, and general upkeep.
- Company: Join Citizen, a trusted social housing provider with over 50 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, health insurance, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact in your community while working outdoors.
- Qualifications: Driving licence and experience with gardening tools preferred.
The predicted salary is between 24897 - 24897 £ per year.
Exciting Career Opportunity at Citizen! Are you a driven professional seeking to make an impact in Grounds Maintenance? With over fifty years of experience, we have grown to be one of the UK's most trusted social housing providers, Citizen owns and manages 30,000 homes for diverse communities across the West Midlands.
Position: Grounds Maintenance Operative - Gardener
Salary: £24,897 per annum
Location: Birmingham, B37 7YN
Basis: Permanent, 37 hours per week, Monday to Thursday 7:30 to 15:30 and Friday 7:30 to 15:00
You must be able to drive a manual company vehicle as part of your role.
Key Responsibilities:
- Take pride in delivering high-quality grass cutting across our estates and communal areas.
- Ensure every lawn is left looking neat, tidy and well cared for using a range of modern tools and equipment.
- Responsible for the safe removal and disposal of green waste, helping keep all sites clean, tidy and environmentally compliant.
- Maintain landscapes through hedge and bush reduction, careful shaping and trimming.
- Use strimmers and other powered tools to give borders, edges and hard-to-reach spots a crisp, polished finish.
- Carry out effective weed control using approved methods.
- Take ownership of shrub pruning, maintenance and seasonal planting.
- Maintain safe and attractive estates through regular litter picking and general site tidying.
- Support the upkeep of paved and slabbed areas with light repairs, sweeping, weed treatment and general maintenance.
We would be really excited if you have (Desirable):
- PA1 & PA6 spraying licence
- Banksman training
- Licence to drive a trailer
What We Offer:
- Innovative Environment: Be part of a forward-thinking organization that values creativity and innovation.
- Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
- Collaborative Culture: Work alongside a team of dedicated professionals who support and inspire each other.
Benefits:
- Annual Leave: Annual leave starts at 26 days per year plus bank holidays.
- Annual leave purchase scheme – option to buy up to an additional 5 days per year.
- Enhanced family leave (maternity, paternity and adoption).
- Organisational sick pay.
- Generous Pension Scheme – The option to contribute 4%, 6% or up to 10% which Citizen will match.
- Competitive Salary: We offer a competitive compensation package.
- Health and Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs.
- Work-Life Balance: Flexible working hours and generous leave policies.
- Employee Development: Access to training programs and career development resources.
Company Culture: We will be an employer of choice and invest in our people. To deliver the best services for our customers we need employees who are passionate, committed and engaged. We will create a culture where every individual feels comfortable and confident to be themselves and the wellbeing of our employees is a priority.
This post is subject to a Basic DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service).
Closing date: 30th April 2026
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and can make reasonable adjustments to support you through the process.
Grounds Maintenance Operative - Gardener - Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom employer: Citizen Housing
Join our dynamic grounds maintenance team in Coventry, where your passion for gardening can flourish in a supportive and innovative environment. We offer competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth, all while working collaboratively with dedicated colleagues to create beautiful outdoor spaces. Experience the satisfaction of making a visible impact in your community as you maintain our estates to the highest standards.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Grounds Maintenance Operative - Gardener - Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
✨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 Citizen Housing.
✨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 Citizen Housing.
✨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 Citizen Housing; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Grounds Maintenance Operative - Gardener - Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
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 Citizen Housing.
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 - Gardener - Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Citizen Housing 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 Citizen Housing a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Citizen Housing
✨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 Citizen Housing might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
