Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in maintaining outdoor spaces, ensuring quality and safety standards.
- Company: Join Karbon, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to community improvement.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, flexible benefits, and support for your professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on your community while working outdoors and leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in grounds maintenance and a full UK driving licence are essential.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds and experiences.
The predicted salary is between 23600 - 31900 £ per year.
Come and make a difference at Karbon as a Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative. We’re looking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced individual for the role in the Grounds Maintenance Team. Our in‑house team is committed to continual improvement of maintenance of land to specific standards across the Karbon footprint.
About The Role
Working outdoors in all weathers across the Karbon footprint covering cyclical maintenance, garden clearances, grass cutting, tree maintenance, litter picking and fly tipping clearance and associated works as directed by the Grounds Maintenance Team Leader. The role requires a good working knowledge of current health and safety, working to specification and time management and an enthusiastic resilient attitude. You’ll be operating and be responsible for a variety of ride‑on mowers and other horticultural and arboricultural equipment as well as familiarity with operating systems on PDA, supervision and driving an allocated Karbon vehicle.
With relevant experience in a similar role, you’ll have a knowledge of and a strong commitment to customer care as first point of contact and be responsible for ensuring works are completed in line with our service standards as the Lead Operative in a team of three and be able to work as part of a team as well as using your own initiative. You would be first point of contact with the Team Leader and responsible for ensuring quality of completed works and that all Health and Safety guidance is followed. A full UK driving licence (Manual) is essential and towing experience would be beneficial.
About You
We’re looking for an experienced Lead Operative to join and support our Grounds Maintenance team in building on an already excellent service, delivered to our customers in a way that promotes high levels of customer focus, performance, safety, and quality, with a strong emphasis on innovation, forward‑thinking and continuous improvement. Candidates should have a good working knowledge of a modern ground maintenance service and the challenges it faces with experience of improving areas. You will need to be able to follow instructions and interpret site maps whilst also being able to think on your feet. Experience of Ride‑On Mower operation would be an advantage as would experience of pesticide application and using a PDA. This must all be combined with a strong commitment to excellent customer service and learning and development.
Working With Us
The successful candidate will work in our Grounds Maintenance team led by the Grounds Maintenance Manager. If you require further information about the role, please contact Kyle 07799341548 or Adam 07711 494413.
Key Details
- Permanent role
- Salary: £27,656 per annum
- Location: Based in Chester‑Le‑Street
- Regular travel will be required
- 37 Hours per week
We recognise the contribution people with criminal records can make as colleagues and we welcome all applications. A criminal record will not exclude a candidate from being appointed because of offences that are irrelevant to, and do not place them at, or make them a risk in the role they’re applying for. The role you’re applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA). The successful candidate(s) will be asked to submit a basic disclosure and barring check application during pre‑employment checks.
Why Join Us?
We offer a generous benefits package to support your wellbeing and development, including:
- 26 days annual leave (rising to 31 after 3 years)
- Birthday leave
- Occupational pension
- Health cash plan
- Flexible benefits pot
- Access to funding for qualifications, conferences and learning events
Ready To Apply?
If this sounds like the role for you, apply now via our website: https://www.karbonhomes.co.uk/careers/ or via Indeed. We love seeing the real you in your application. It’s fine to use AI tools for things like polishing grammar or improving formatting—but your CV and supporting statement should still reflect your own skills, experience and personality, so we do not accept applications that are fully generated by AI without your own input.
Key Dates
- Closing date for applications Sunday 15 March 2026
- Interview date To be confirmed
We’re Inclusive
We’re proud to be an inclusive employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria, you’ll be guaranteed an interview. Need a reasonable adjustment to apply? Contact us at recruitment@karbonhomes.co.uk
A Note for Recruitment Agencies
We’re lucky to have a great Preferred Supplier List (PSL) in place, so we’re not looking for additional agency support right now. Thanks for understanding—we’ve got this covered!
Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative in Chester-le-Street employer: Karbon Homes
Contact Detail:
Karbon Homes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative in Chester-le-Street
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Karbon and their Grounds Maintenance Team. Understanding their values and recent projects can help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Think about common interview questions related to grounds maintenance and customer service. Prepare some examples from your past experience that highlight your skills and how you’ve tackled challenges in similar roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your enthusiasm! When you’re in the interview, let your passion for outdoor work and customer care shine through. Employers love candidates who are excited about the role and can demonstrate a positive attitude.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative in Chester-le-Street
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in grounds maintenance. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on sharing specific examples of your past work!
Be Yourself: We love seeing the real you in your application! While it’s okay to use tools for grammar and formatting, your CV and supporting statement should reflect your own personality and experiences. Let us get to know you!
Follow Instructions: Pay close attention to the application instructions. Make sure you include all required documents and follow any specific guidelines. This shows us that you can follow directions, which is key for the role!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It’s the quickest way for us to receive your application, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Karbon Homes
✨Know Your Grounds Maintenance
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of grounds maintenance practices. Familiarise yourself with the specific tasks mentioned in the job description, like grass cutting and tree maintenance. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Health and Safety First
Since health and safety is a big part of this role, be prepared to talk about your experience with safety protocols. Think of examples where you've ensured safety on the job, especially when operating machinery or working in teams. This will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards.
✨Customer Care Counts
As the first point of contact for customers, your approach to customer service is crucial. Prepare to share examples of how you've handled customer interactions in the past. Highlight any situations where you went above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This role requires teamwork, so be ready to discuss your experience working in a team environment. Share stories that showcase your ability to collaborate effectively, follow instructions, and also take the initiative when needed. This will help illustrate that you can thrive both independently and as part of a team.