At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to keep Oldham clean and green through outdoor manual work.
- Company: Oldham Council, dedicated to vibrant and safe neighbourhoods.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, gym discounts, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working options and support for personal development available.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while working outdoors.
- Qualifications: Full UK driving licence and ability to lift heavy items required.
The predicted salary is between 21800 - 21990 £ per year.
Place
Environmental Services -Grounds & Cemeteries
Environmental Operative
Ref: 001701
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £27,274 - £29,071 per annum (Grade 3)
Hours: 36.66 per week outdoor working
Location: Environment Centre & Depot - Kings Rd ,Oldham ,OL8 2BH
Closing Date: Monday 14 September 2026
Interview Date: TBC.
Role Overview:
The Environmental Operative 3 (Skilled Operative) plays an important role in maintaining and enhancing Oldham's parks, open spaces, cemeteries, sports facilities and landscaped environments. Working as part of a frontline operational team, the postholder will undertake a wide range of grounds maintenance, horticultural, environmental cleansing and landscaping activities, helping to ensure that the borough's public spaces remain safe, clean, attractive and well maintained.
The successful candidate will operate a variety of specialist vehicles, plant and machinery, including ride-on mowing equipment and associated maintenance equipment, carrying out work to agreed quality and safety standards. The role requires a proactive and reliable individual who can work with minimal supervision, take responsibility for completing allocated work programmes and respond professionally to enquiries from residents, stakeholders and other service users.
As a skilled operative, the postholder will also provide practical guidance and support to apprentices, trainees and Environmental Operatives, helping to develop skills and maintain high standards of service delivery across the team. The role offers a varied working environment and the opportunity to contribute directly to the appearance, sustainability and environmental quality of the borough.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and motivated individual with a background in grounds maintenance, horticulture or environmental services to make a visible and lasting difference to local communities while supporting the delivery of high-quality frontline environmental services.
Please refer to the Advert Writing and Inclusive Recruitment Guidance available under the ‘Recruitment’ section of the intranet to make sure your advert is inclusive and stands out.
Key Responsibilities:
- Undertake grounds maintenance, horticultural, environmental cleansing and landscaping activities across parks, highways, cemeteries, playing fields and public open spaces.
- Operate specialist vehicles, plant and machinery, including ride-on mowing equipment and associated maintenance equipment.
- Work with minimal supervision to deliver allocated work programmes and maintain public spaces to agreed standards.
- Provide guidance, support and on-the-job assistance to apprentices, trainees and Environmental Operatives as required.
- Identify and report safety hazards, defects, vandalism and maintenance issues, whilst responding professionally to customer enquiries and service requests.
Key Requirements:
- Experience of grounds maintenance, horticultural and environmental services activities, including mowing, planting, pruning, sports pitch marking and associated maintenance tasks.
- Ability to operate powered equipment, machinery, light plant and associated maintenance equipment safely and effectively.
- Full current driving licence and the ability to work flexibly outdoors in all weather conditions.
About Us:
We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:
A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.
We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information
Our Values and Behaviours:
By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are ‘Proud, Ambitious, and Together’, and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.
We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:
- Work with a resident focus
- Support local leaders
- Committed to the borough
- Delivery high performance
- Take ownership and drive change
You can find out more about our values and behaviours on our greater.jobs Oldham page
Our Benefits Package:
At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following:
- 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years’ service
- The option to purchase additional annual leave.
- An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
- Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
- Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
- Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
- Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
- Staff recognition and celebration events.
- Peer support groups
Inclusive Recruitment:
We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants
Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.
If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.
If you’re an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer, someone who has served in the Armed Forces, or you’ve participated in the GM Elevate Programme, and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.
Data and Privacy:
For details of how we use your data please see our Privacy Notice
Important Information:
Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.
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Supporting Documents
Job Description & Person Specification
Right To Work
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Environmental Operative employer: Oldham Council
The MioCare Group is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values professionalism and teamwork. Located in Oldham, employees benefit from a steady part-time schedule, opportunities for personal growth, and the chance to make a meaningful impact within the community through their administrative roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Environmental Operative
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Oldham Council and their values. This will help you connect your skills and experiences to what they’re looking for, showing that you’re not just another candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Grab a mate and do some mock interviews. Focus on common questions related to teamwork and communication, as these are key for the Environmental Operative role. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your people skills! During the interview, share examples of how you've effectively communicated with colleagues or the public in past roles. This will highlight your ability to work well in a team and lead when needed.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Oldham Council and contributing to a greener, cleaner community.
We think you need these skills to ace Environmental Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Team Spirit:In your application, highlight your ability to work well in a team. We want to see how you can contribute to our small teams and even lead when needed. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve collaborated effectively with others.
Communicate Clearly:Since this role involves interacting with the public and colleagues, make sure your application reflects your communication skills. Use clear and concise language to demonstrate how you can engage with different people in various situations.
Be Detail-Oriented:We need operatives who can follow written instructions and complete paperwork accurately. In your application, mention any experience you have with completing checklists or working from written guidelines to show us you’re detail-oriented.
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 the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oldham Council
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of an Environmental Operative. Familiarise yourself with tasks like litter picking and fly tip removal, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with these duties.
✨Show Off Your Team Spirit
This role requires teamwork, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully worked in a team before. Highlight any leadership experiences too, as they may want to see if you can step up when needed.
✨Get Hands-On with Tools
Since you'll be using hand tools and small powered tools, it’s a good idea to mention any relevant experience you have. If you’ve completed any training or have certifications, don’t forget to bring those up!
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key in this role. Practice how you would explain your past experiences to someone unfamiliar with your work. Be ready to demonstrate your ability to interact positively with both colleagues and the public.
