Grounds Operative in Oldham

Life for a Life Memorial Forests is a UK charity dedicated to creating living memorials through the planting and care of trees. Our forests provide peaceful spaces for remembrance, support biodiversity, enhance green spaces, and benefit local communities. Working with us means being part of a team that makes a tangible difference to the environment and the lives of the families we support. We are looking for team members who are passionate about nature, enjoy working for a charity, and take pride in contributing to projects that benefit both people and the planet.

As part of our Grounds and Woodland Team, you will undertake a diverse range of practical responsibilities to ensure our memorial forests are accessible, well-maintained, and thriving ecosystems. The role requires balancing environmental stewardship with compassionate support for visiting families.

• Memorial Forest Maintenance: Carry out seasonal tasks including grass cutting, meadow management, hedge cutting, and tree pruning. Daily maintenance tasks include planting medium to large trees and caring for them over time, as well as installing memorial benches and plaques.
• Memorial Tree Dedications: Planting and preparing the memorial trees, and assist families during tree dedication ceremonies, offering guidance and respectful support during sensitive occasions.
• Planting and Conservation: Plant trees and manage woodland areas in line with the charity’s environmental objectives and long-term sustainability plans.
• Public Engagement: Interact professionally with visitors, explain the charity’s mission, and provide assistance where required.
• Health and Safety: Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with current health and safety legislation and best practice.
• Equipment Management: Operate and maintain groundskeeping tools and machinery safely and efficiently.
• Collaborative Projects: Work alongside volunteers, families and community groups during planting events and engagement activities.
• Adaptability & Responsive Working: This role requires the ability to respond positively to changing priorities. Daily tasks may need to change at short notice due to weather conditions, urgent site issues, health and safety concerns, or family visits. The successful candidate must be flexible, calm under pressure, and able to adapt their workload accordingly while maintaining high standards.

Please note that this role is physically demanding due to the practical nature of the work and involves working outdoors in varying weather conditions. As a public-facing organisation, we expect all staff to treat colleagues, visitors, and the environment with respect. Life for a Life Memorial Forests is deeply embedded within the communities we serve, and successful applicants must uphold our values and maintain the charity’s reputation at all times. High standards of workmanship, reliability, and personal conduct are essential.

• Have excellent verbal communication skills
• Be confident interacting with members of the public, including during sensitive situations
• Demonstrate a proactive, problem‑solving attitude
• Be adaptable and able to adjust plans when priorities change
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a small team
• Take pride in delivering high‑quality practical work

To be considered for this role, candidates must confirm that:

• You hold a full, clean manual driving licence
• You are confident driving a medium wheelbase, high‑roof van (Additional training available if required)
• You are comfortable towing a trailer for transporting machinery (Training can be provided)
• You can reliably travel to our yard in Royton, Oldham (typically 8am or 9am starts)
• You are willing to work a 5-out‑of‑7 working pattern, including regular weekends
• You are comfortable working outdoors in most weather conditions

Experience and knowledge of working on land‑based activities, managing woodland or previous experience in a related field, and experience with tree planting, pruning, and general landscape maintenance are desirable. If you are passionate about nature, compassionate toward others, and looking for a practical role where your work genuinely makes a difference, we would love to hear from you.