At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a mobile team to maintain and improve landscapes, ensuring a beautiful environment.
- Company: Dynamic organisation committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 40 days holiday, flexible working, and health cash plan.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and paid volunteering days.
- Why this job: Make a difference in your community while enjoying great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Full UK driving licence and experience in grounds maintenance.
The predicted salary is between 13.64 - 13.64 £ per hour.
We offer a competitive salary of £26,250 per annum (£13.64 per hour) for a 37‑hour work week. You also receive 32 days annual leave plus bank holidays, total of 40 paid holiday days per annum.
Benefits include:
- Finance: access both short- and long-term loans and a savings facility
- Opportunity to increase annual leave with service or through the holiday purchase scheme
- Immediate entry to the Pension scheme with matched contributions up to 10%
- Flexible working environment with family-friendly policies
- Health cash plan with financial benefits; option to extend to family Cover includes dental, optical, physiotherapy, 24‑hr private GP access and more
- Paid leave for sickness, maternity, paternity and adoption
- Learning for Life scheme: up to £150 annually
- Access to discounts and cashback offers (retail, automotive, holidays, cycle-to-work)
- Support for career development, training and qualifications
- Two paid half-day volunteering days per year
Responsibilities
- Work as part of a mobile team to deliver landscape maintenance and improvement works, ensuring a consistently high-quality environment
- Carry out grass cutting, shrub pruning, weed control and litter removal
- Ensure all works and safety procedures are followed and accurate record keeping
- Conduct routine maintenance checks of plant, equipment and machinery
- Attend team meetings and supply replenishment when required (no daily depot reporting)
Qualifications
- Full UK driving licence
- Previous experience in ground maintenance, environmental services or estates cleaning
- Excellent customer service and communication skills
- Willingness to work as part of a team and proactive approach to procedures
- Experience with ride-on movers, hedge cutter, leaf blowers
- PA1 and PA6 pesticide qualifications
- NVQ Level 2 in Horticulture
- NPTC CS30/CS31 chainsaw certification
- 360-rotating excavator trailer experience (category B E)
Equal Opportunity
We are committed to diversity and inclusion. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
grounds-maintenance-operative in Manchester employer: Onward
Join our dedicated team as a Grounds Maintenance Operative, where you will enjoy a competitive salary and an impressive benefits package, including 32 days of annual leave and flexible working arrangements. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee growth through training opportunities and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, making it an ideal environment for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in landscape maintenance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land grounds-maintenance-operative in Manchester
✨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 Onward.
✨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 Onward.
✨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 Onward; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace grounds-maintenance-operative in Manchester
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 Onward.
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.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Onward 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 Onward a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Onward
✨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 Onward might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
