Grounds Maintenance and Street Cleansing Seasonal Worker in Gateshead

Our Environment & Fleet Management team provide a wide range of integrated services to help keep the environment in which the people of Gateshead live, work and spend their spare time in a clean, safe and attractive condition. This includes parks and green spaces like our Saltwell and Watergate Parks, as well as other green spaces and countryside management. We are also responsible for vehicle and fleet management across the Council, keeping the fleet on the road and enabling broader programmes of work, as well as several other areas of responsibility.

Help us protect and enhance our shared spaces. Do you enjoy working outdoors, take pride in your community, and want a role where your efforts have real impact? This is a great opportunity to contribute to a cleaner and greener Gateshead. As a Seasonal Street Scene Worker, you will play a vital role in keeping Gateshead clean, welcoming, and well-maintained for everyone who lives, works, and visits here. Working as part of a friendly, hands-on team, you will support the day-to-day delivery of essential frontline services including refuse collection, street cleansing, and grounds maintenance. From helping maintain our green spaces to ensuring our streets stay safe and tidy, your work will make a visible difference across the borough.

Responsibilities:

• Manual sweeping, collection and removal of litter, leaves and weeds from public areas.
• Emptying litter bins in public areas.
• Grass-cutting in public open space areas using pedestrian grass cutters.
• Carrying out work in public parks, playing fields, landscaped areas, and open spaces including grass cutting, strimming, hedge trimming, pruning, planting and assisting grounds maintenance staff in their work.
• General labouring duties as required and be responsible for the use and operation of a range of associated tools and equipment including powered hand tools and light plant as required.
• Collection of household and commercial waste, bulky waste and vacant property waste within the borough.
• Communicating with members of the public during the provision of the service.
• Other duties appropriate for the grade of the post.
• Ride-on grass cutting role: daily checks, user maintenance and defect reporting of ride-on mechanical grass cutting machinery.
• Working on street cleansing routes to keep streets clean and welcoming.
• Grounds maintenance using grass-cutting equipment and related machinery (ride-on grass cutters used in specific ride-on roles).
• Refuse & Recycling Collection - supporting collection rounds and operating on refuse or recycling vehicles.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Self-motivation to work independently and take initiative when needed.
• Ability to follow clear instructions and deliver work to a high standard.
• Ability to work as part of a team to get the job done.
• Flexibility and adaptability, ready to take on a variety of tasks across the service.
• Great communication to build positive relationships with colleagues and the wider community.
• Confident customer-facing skills, with a friendly and professional approach.
• Full driving licence required for all roles using ride-on mechanical grass cutting machinery.

Rewards & Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We invest in your future with Local Government Pension.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships to mental health resources.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with a cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Access a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through a salary sacrifice scheme (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Access discounts on shopping, travel, and services through our benefits platform.