At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain beautiful parks and open spaces while working with a passionate team.
- Company: Join Maldon District Council, dedicated to community and environmental care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, flexible working, and gym discounts.
- Other info: Great career development opportunities and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while enjoying the outdoors.
- Qualifications: NVQ level 2 in Horticulture or relevant experience in grounds maintenance.
The predicted salary is between 28509 - 31058 £ per year.
Maldon District Council is working in partnership with Essex Shared Services to support the role of Parks and Countryside Officer (Level 2), a full‑time position.
Role Purpose
To provide a grounds maintenance service across the Maldon District in order to maintain the Council’s parks and open spaces to a high standard.
Accountabilities – Service Delivery
- Work in partnership with others to achieve high standards of grounds maintenance across our 25 parks and open spaces in the District, including the flagship sites of Promenade Park in Maldon and Riverside Park in Burnham on Crouch.
- Organise own working methods within guidelines to ensure safe working and adherence with health and safety procedures and instruction.
- Undertake weekend and bank holiday duties on a rota and provide out of hours cover for events and civil emergencies.
- Work “annualised hours” averaging 38 hours a week across the year – 46 hours per week from April to September, and 29 hours per week during the winter months.
- Undertake general gardening and grounds maintenance duties, including leaf clearance; bin emptying; sweeping; litter picking; strimming; rotary and cylinder mowing; use of associated groundcare machinery and implements; care of beds; basic glasshouse work; initial marking and overmarking of sports pitches; pesticide applications and calibrations; basic maintenance of vehicles and equipment; litter and bin collection.
- Basic machinery operation and vehicle driving.
- Ability to undertake at least two of the following additional elements:
- Tractor driving with specialist implements – e.g. side arm flail, verti‑drain.
- Use of heavy ride‑on mowers.
- Repair and servicing of a range of equipment.
- Undertaking play equipment inspections.
- Specialist glasshouse work – propagation from seed and cuttings.
- Preparation and maintenance of flower and shrub beds and borders.
- Felling and processing small trees with a chainsaw.
- Fine turf management.
The Experience You Will Bring
- NVQ level 2 or equivalent in Horticulture, Amenity Management or similar, or reasonable experience in Grounds Maintenance functions and settings.
- Two or more competency certificates in the following (or similar work‑appropriate training): pesticide spraying licence, brushcutter/clearing saw licence, chainsaw licence (C30/C31 equivalent), ride‑on/pedestrian mower certificate, amenity tractor with trailer/PTO mounted implements, woodchipper.
- Full UK driving licence and access to own transport for work purposes.
- Ability to operate machinery including grass cutting and light vehicles; potential for tractor training.
- Good knowledge of care of bedding plants, shrubs and borders, and plant identification skills.
- Ability to prune trees and shrubs to high standard.
- Recent experience in a range of horticultural and grounds maintenance functions.
In addition to a competitive salary, you will be entitled to a range of benefits, including:
- The 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.
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 committed to the employment and career development of disabled people. As a Disability Confident Employer we take various actions in order to successfully employ and retain disabled people and those with health conditions.
For more information on this position, please email essexsharedservices@essex.gov.uk or joe.poole@maldon.gov.uk / 07432 734493.
Essex Shared Services is advertising this role as part of its partnership with Maldon District Council; however, the successful candidate will be employed directly by Maldon District Council.
Parks & Countryside Officer (Level 2) in Maldon employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Maldon District Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With generous benefits such as a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to safeguarding and promoting diversity, employees can thrive in their roles while contributing to the maintenance of beautiful parks and open spaces across the district. The opportunity to work in a picturesque location like Maldon, alongside a dedicated team, makes this position both meaningful and rewarding.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Parks & Countryside Officer (Level 2) in Maldon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the parks and open spaces in your area! Familiarise yourself with the flagship sites like Promenade Park and Riverside Park. This will not only help you in interviews but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current employees or others in the field. Join local gardening clubs or community events related to parks and countryside work. It’s a great way to learn more about the job and make connections that could help you land the position.
✨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 can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application, and it’s the best way to ensure it gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and benefits right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Parks & Countryside Officer (Level 2) in Maldon
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! Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your enthusiasm for maintaining green spaces.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to align your skills and experiences with the job description. If you've got NVQ level 2 or relevant certificates, mention them! We want to see how your background fits perfectly with what we're looking for.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points if needed to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to your qualifications and experience!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Maldon District Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Know Your Grounds Maintenance
Familiarise yourself with the specific grounds maintenance tasks mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your knowledge of equipment operation, plant care, and safety procedures. Being able to discuss your experience with tasks like mowing, strimming, and using pesticides will show that you're ready for the role.
✨Showcase Your Qualifications
Make sure to highlight your NVQ level 2 or equivalent qualifications in Horticulture or Amenity Management. If you have any additional competency certificates, such as for chainsaw operation or pesticide spraying, be prepared to discuss them in detail. This will demonstrate your commitment to professional development and safety.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since the role involves working in partnership with others, think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated with a team. Be ready to share how you contributed to achieving high standards in previous roles, especially in maintaining parks or open spaces.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your practical skills and problem-solving abilities. You might be asked how you would handle specific scenarios, like dealing with equipment malfunctions or managing weekend duties. Practising these types of questions can help you feel more confident during the interview.
