At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Grounds Maintenance team to keep our district looking its best!
- Company: Lancaster City Council, committed to community and environmental excellence.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, gym discounts, and more!
- Other info: Flexible shifts, inclusive workplace, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while enjoying a dynamic work environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in horticulture and a passion for outdoor work required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
The Role
Lancaster City Council are looking to appoint energetic and motivated individuals to join the Grounds Maintenance team within the Environment & Place Service, to contribute to making our district as well maintained as possible. The individual will need to be hard working, take pride within their work and have a passion for making improvements.
The role involves working as part of a wider team to provide high quality environmental maintenance services including amenity grass cutting, litter management, graffiti removal, leaf clearance, hard landscaping, dyke management, street furniture, playground installation, weed growth, and cultivating of the districts bedding areas.
You will be required to have a good knowledge and also experience in amenity horticulture and have a good technical knowledge of grounds maintenance techniques and practice as duties will include mowing, strimming, hedge cutting, weeding and litter picking within the Authority’s parks, open spaces and streets. It is essential to hold a level 2, or equivalent knowledge and experience in horticulture.
The work is physically demanding, involving bending, kneeling, lifting and carrying and it is essential that you are able to lift weights of up to 20kg.
You will be able to demonstrate flexibility and commitment to delivering high quality customer service.
A full current UK driving licence is required, and it will be essential for the post holder to tow a trailer. As a result you will be required to sign up to the authorised external DVLA driving licence validation organisation that we use to manage and monitor our employees driving licence data.
This post is permanent.
The hours for this post are 37 hours per week. Your normal working week will be on a shift rota basis, working 5 days out of 7, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays, in line with business needs.
This post is based at White Lund Depot.
About You
You will identify with our organisational values of Pride, Ownership, Working Together and Ambition.
Our Benefits
Lancaster is a great place to work, as well as being part of something special you will also benefit from:
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- A range of employee benefits including discounted gym membership, cycle to work scheme, the opportunity to purchase extra time off, as well as discounts on days out, activities and retail.
Lancaster City Council has unanimously declared a climate emergency and will therefore work towards reducing carbon emissions to net-zero by 2030. As part of this role, you will be expected to participate and work towards reducing both carbon emissions and the impacts of climate change.
We are an Investor in People, Forces Friendly employer, and an Armed Forces Covenant committed organisation. We welcome applications from defence reserves and other members of our armed forces community. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all parts of our community.
At Lancaster City Council we aim to have a diverse workforce that is representative of the district that we serve and provide a working environment where each employee feels able to bring their whole self to work. We welcome applications from all sections of our community and provide several supportive and inclusive workplace networks and safe spaces for employees to feel connected. Our workplace wellbeing strategy drives our commitment to staff wellbeing initiatives and ensuring that our organisation is a great place to work for all.
We are a disability confident committed employer.
Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive we are unable to update all applicants individually. If you do not receive a response from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, then your application will have unfortunately been unsuccessful in progressing to interview.
Grounds Maintenance Operative X2 in Lancaster employer: Lancaster City Council
Lancaster City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive while contributing to the community's environmental well-being. With generous benefits such as a local government pension scheme, discounted gym memberships, and a commitment to staff wellbeing, employees are encouraged to grow and develop their skills in a meaningful role that directly impacts the district. Located at White Lund Depot, the council fosters a culture of pride, ownership, and ambition, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about horticulture and community service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Grounds Maintenance Operative X2 in Lancaster
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like Lancaster City Council.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like Lancaster City Council.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at Lancaster City Council; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Grounds Maintenance Operative X2 in Lancaster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at Lancaster City Council.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Grounds Maintenance Operative X2.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Lancaster City Council is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at Lancaster City Council a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lancaster City Council
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at Lancaster City Council might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
