At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain beautiful communal spaces and ensure a clean, green environment.
- Company: Join Great Places Housing Group, dedicated to community welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, discounts, and health perks.
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while working outdoors.
- Qualifications: Full UK driving licence and experience in grounds maintenance preferred.
Location: South Manchester
Salary: £27,277
You will carry out grounds maintenance across communal environments, including shared spaces around homes, open grassed areas, and landscaped sites. Working as part of a team, you will help deliver a planned maintenance programme that supports high-quality service delivery. You will collaborate with caretaking teams, colleagues, and external partners to maintain clean, green, and safe environments. This includes seasonal duties such as snow and ice clearance, gritting, litter picking, and the removal of fly tipping. You will also identify and report environmental and maintenance issues, working with others to ensure they are resolved effectively.
What you'll be doing:
- Carry out grounds maintenance across Great Places schemes and communal areas in line with the Grounds Maintenance Specification. This includes grass cutting, edging, hedge trimming, planting, spraying, and clearing leaves and litter.
- Use a range of hand tools, power tools, and vehicles, carrying out daily checks and basic maintenance, and reporting any faults or damage.
- Identify and report graffiti, vandalism, repairs, and other defects in external communal areas.
- Support seasonal activities such as snow and ice clearance, gritting, and other health and safety maintenance tasks.
- Follow all relevant quality standards and health and safety requirements, including COSHH.
- Ensure vehicles and equipment are kept clean, safe, and stored correctly.
- Apply herbicides and pesticides safely and in line with regulations, including reporting invasive weeds.
- Report any safeguarding concerns in line with organisational procedures.
What you'll need:
- A full manual UK driving licence.
- Previous experience in grounds maintenance or a similar outdoor/environmental role.
- Strong customer service skills with a focus on treating customers and colleagues with respect.
- A commitment to maintaining clean, safe, and well-kept neighbourhoods for customers.
- A proactive and flexible approach, taking ownership of your work and spotting what needs doing.
- A strong focus on health and safety, always working in a safe and compliant way.
- Teamwork and collaboration, working effectively with colleagues, contractors, and partners.
- Pride in your work and a positive attitude to delivering high-quality services.
What we need from you:
- A commitment to understand the challenges and opportunities that exist in the communities in which we work. We particularly value lived experience in social housing.
- A passion to advocate on behalf of people and communities.
- A commitment to work in partnership with others for the benefit of Great Places.
- A commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
- Ability to work flexibly and when needed outside normal working hours to ensure service continuity.
- To be professional and work with integrity, inclusivity and respect for diversity.
What we give you in return for your hard work and commitment:
- Pension | DC Scheme (up to 10% contribution from both colleague and Great Places).
- WPA | Healthcare auto enrolled at no contribution level with £1250 of savings available - option to increase & add on family members.
- The Market Place | High street, restaurant & supermarket discounts, gym memberships, cycle to work, smart tech loans and much more.
- Annual Leave | Start at 26 days annual leave, increasing up to 30 days within 5 years + Bank Holidays.
- Reward & Recognition | You Count Rewards are individual rewards for going 'above & beyond'.
- Help with transport | We offer season ticket loans, an affordable way to purchase season tickets for public transport at discounted rates.
- Wage Stream | You can access savings opportunities and early access to wages.
For the purposes of our van fleet insurance you must have a minimum of 2 years driving experience with a full UK driving licence, be over the age of 21 and complete an online driver monitoring assessment prior to starting your role. If you are under 21 but with 2 years driving experience with a full UK driving licence you would be required to complete an online driver monitoring assessment and additional in vehicle assessment prior to starting your role funded by Great Places.
Great Places Housing Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expects all our colleagues to share this commitment. All successful applicant(s) will be subject to a basic criminal records background check. Further detail on our commitment to safeguarding children/young people & vulnerable adults can be found in the Great Places Housing Group Safeguarding Policy & Recruitment Policy on our website.
Closing date: 26th June 2026
Shortlist date: 27th June 2026
Interview date: TBC
Grounds Maintenance Operative - South Manchester employer: Great Places Housing Association
Great Places Housing Group is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises teamwork and community engagement in South Manchester. With competitive benefits such as generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for personal growth, employees are encouraged to take pride in their work while making a meaningful impact on the neighbourhoods they serve.
Contact Details:
Great Places Housing Association Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Grounds Maintenance Operative - South Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Great Places Housing Group and understand their values and mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to grounds maintenance. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for practical assessments! Since this role involves hands-on work, be ready to demonstrate your skills with tools and equipment. Brush up on your techniques and safety practices to impress during any practical tests.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Grounds Maintenance Operative - South Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Outdoors:When you're writing your application, let us know why you love working outdoors and maintaining green spaces. Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to keeping environments clean and safe.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to detail any previous grounds maintenance or similar roles you've had. We want to see how your past experiences align with the tasks mentioned in the job description, like grass cutting, litter picking, or using power tools.
Demonstrate Team Spirit:Since this role involves working closely with others, emphasise your teamwork skills. Share examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues or external partners to achieve a common goal, especially in outdoor settings.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Great Places Housing Association
✨Know Your Grounds
Familiarise yourself with the specific tasks mentioned in the job description, like grass cutting and hedge trimming. Being able to discuss your experience with these activities will show that you understand the role and are ready to hit the ground running.
✨Safety First
Brush up on health and safety regulations, especially COSHH guidelines. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure safety while using tools and equipment, as this is crucial for the role and shows your commitment to a safe working environment.
✨Team Player Vibes
Since teamwork is key in this role, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others. Whether it’s working with colleagues or external partners, having a few stories ready will demonstrate your ability to work well in a team.
✨Show Your Passion
Express your commitment to maintaining clean and safe environments. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive your passion for grounds maintenance and community service, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
