At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain beautiful parks and open spaces while ensuring high standards of grounds maintenance.
- Company: Join Maldon District Council, dedicated to community welfare and environmental care.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, flexible working, and a local government pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunities for training and career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while working outdoors and gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 in Horticulture or equivalent experience in grounds maintenance required.
The predicted salary is between 28509 - 31058 £ per year.
About the Role
Provide a grounds maintenance service across Maldon District and maintain the Council’s parks and open spaces to a high standard.
Accountabilities – Service Delivery
- Work in partnership to achieve high standards of grounds maintenance across 25 parks and open spaces, including flagship sites Promenade Park (Maldon) and Riverside Park (Burnham on Crouch).
- Organise own working methods within guidelines, ensuring safe working and adherence to health and safety procedures.
- Enter weekend and bank‑holiday duties on a rota and provide out‑of‑hours cover for events and civil emergencies.
- Work “annualised hours” – 38 hours per week on average (46 hrs during April‑September, 29 hrs during winter).
- Undertake general gardening and grounds maintenance duties: leaf clearance, bin emptying, sweeping, litter picking, strimming, mowing, bed care, basic glasshouse work, marking sports pitches, pesticide applications and calibrations, basic vehicle and equipment maintenance, litter and bin collection.
- Operate basic machinery and drive vehicle.
- Provide at least two of the following additional elements: tractor driving with specialist implements, use of heavy ride‑on mowers, repair and servicing of equipment, play equipment inspections, specialist glasshouse work, flower and shrub bed maintenance, felling and processing small trees with a chainsaw, fine turf management.
Experience and Qualifications
- NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in Horticulture, Amenity Management or similar, or reasonable experience in grounds maintenance functions.
- OR two or more competency certificates: pesticide spraying licence, brush cutter/clearing saw licence, chainsaw licence (C30/C31), ride‑on/pedestrian mower certificate, amenity tractor with trailer/PTO implements, woodchipper.
- Full UK driving licence and access to own transport.
- Ability to operate machinery including grass cutting and light vehicles; potential for tractor training.
- Good knowledge of care of bedding plants, shrubs and borders, plant identification, pruning to high standard, and health and safety risk assessments.
- Recent experience in horticultural and grounds maintenance functions.
Benefits
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Flexible and agile working
- Employee assistance programme
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme
- Salary sacrifice car lease scheme
- Discounted local gym membership
- Free parking
Equal Opportunity
Maldon District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups, including children, young people and adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Disclosure and Barring checks will be undertaken according to the responsibilities of the role. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, culture and experience. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, sex, disability or marital status. Maldon District Council is a Disability‑Confident Employer and takes actions to successfully employ and retain disabled people and those with health conditions.
Parks & Countryside Officer (Level 2) – Maldon District Council employer: Essex County Council
Maldon District Council is an excellent employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. With a commitment to maintaining high standards in parks and open spaces, staff enjoy generous benefits such as a Local Government Pension Scheme, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for training in specialised areas. The supportive work culture fosters inclusivity and encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to thrive in their roles, making it a rewarding place to contribute to the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Parks & Countryside Officer (Level 2) – Maldon District Council
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the parks and open spaces in Maldon District. Familiarise yourself with the key sites like Promenade Park and Riverside Park. This will help you speak confidently about your passion for maintaining these areas during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current employees or local horticulture groups. They can provide insider tips on what the council values most in a Parks & Countryside Officer. Plus, it’s a great way to show your enthusiasm for the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for practical assessments! Brush up on your skills with machinery and grounds maintenance tasks. Being able to demonstrate your hands-on experience will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Parks & Countryside Officer (Level 2) – Maldon District Council
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Parks:When you're writing your application, let your love for parks and countryside shine through! Talk about any relevant experience you have in grounds maintenance or horticulture, and how it connects to the role. We want to see that you care about keeping our green spaces beautiful.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Highlight your skills and experiences that match the job description, especially those related to grounds maintenance and health and safety. We appreciate when applicants take the time to align their application with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. We want to easily understand your qualifications and experiences, so make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Maldon District Council. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know Your Grounds
Familiarise yourself with the parks and open spaces in Maldon District, especially flagship sites like Promenade Park and Riverside Park. Being able to discuss specific maintenance practices or improvements you would suggest shows your genuine interest and knowledge about the role.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with grounds maintenance and any relevant qualifications, such as your NVQ Level 2 or competency certificates. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully operated machinery or handled specific tasks like pesticide applications or sports pitch marking.
✨Health and Safety First
Since health and safety is a big part of the role, brush up on relevant procedures and regulations. You might be asked how you ensure safe working conditions, so having a few examples of past experiences where you prioritised safety will definitely impress.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect some practical questions or scenarios during the interview. Think about how you would organise your work during peak seasons or handle out-of-hours duties. Showing that you can think on your feet and adapt to changing situations will highlight your suitability for the role.
