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- Tasks: Join us in delivering top-notch gardening and grounds maintenance services across South London.
- Company: Southern Housing is a leading UK housing provider, dedicated to safe and affordable homes for all.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like healthcare cash plans, birthday leave, retail discounts, and a cycle-to-work scheme.
- Why this job: Work outdoors, develop skills, and make a positive impact in your community while enjoying a friendly culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in gardening or ground maintenance, teamwork skills, basic health and safety knowledge, and a valid UK driving license.
- Other info: This is a permanent full-time role with opportunities for growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 33600 £ per year.
The role, reporting to our local Estate Services Manager, involves delivering a high-quality gardening and grounds maintenance service. You will be provided with tools, machinery, a new uniform, safety boots, and personal protective equipment. The position requires working outdoors in all weather conditions and undertaking physically demanding tasks.
Location: This is a permanent full-time position covering South London.
What you\’ll be doing:
- Carrying out grounds maintenance tasks such as weeding, deadheading, hoeing, planting, pruning, cutting, and watering communal beds.
- Maintaining lawns and grass areas to various finishes using machines like pedestrian mowers, tractors, ride-on mowers, strimmers, and brush cutters, including applying fertilizer and pesticides.
- Operating tools, machinery, and equipment according to guidelines to fulfill duties.
- Planning and executing small-scale landscaping to enhance communal grounds.
- Removing leaves, moss, and snow, and applying salt/grit as needed.
- Responding to vandalism incidents, including graffiti, and reporting them.
- Supervising and coaching apprentices or trainees as directed.
- Reporting repairs or defects in communal areas and following up on actions.
- Reporting suspected breaches of tenancy agreements or leases, such as anti-social behavior or rubbish dumping.
- Providing cover for colleagues when needed.
- Serving as a point of contact for residents, assisting or referring inquiries.
- Being aware of vulnerable customers and highlighting their needs to managers.
- Maintaining professionalism and friendliness at all times, even when challenged.
- Understanding responsibilities under Health and Safety legislation and adopting safe work practices.
- Performing other duties consistent with the role as needed.
Requirements include experience in gardening or ground maintenance, working in small teams, basic health and safety knowledge, and a valid UK driving license with category C1 for driving company vehicles.
Application Closing Date: Thursday 4th September 2025 at 23:59.
About us:
Southern Housing is one of the UK\’s largest housing providers, with over 77,000 homes across various regions, serving over 167,000 residents. We aim to provide safe, secure, and affordable homes, and we encourage a diverse and inclusive work environment.
What\’s in it for you:
- Pension
- Life assurance
- Healthcare cash plan
- Eyecare & dental
- Birthday leave
- Retail discounts
- Cycle to work
- Buy & sell annual leave
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Ground Maintenance Operative employer: Optivo
Contact Detail:
Optivo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Ground Maintenance Operative
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific gardening and grounds maintenance tasks mentioned in the job description. Being able to discuss your experience with weeding, planting, and using machinery like mowers and strimmers will show that you understand the role and are ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience working outdoors in various weather conditions. Sharing stories about how you've managed physically demanding tasks in the past can demonstrate your resilience and commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your understanding of health and safety practices relevant to grounds maintenance. Being knowledgeable about safe work practices and regulations will not only make you a more attractive candidate but also reassure us that you prioritise safety on the job.
✨Tip Number 4
If you have experience supervising or coaching others, be sure to mention it. This role involves mentoring apprentices, so demonstrating your leadership skills can set you apart from other candidates and show that you're ready to contribute to team development.
We think you need these skills to ace Ground Maintenance Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the specific tasks and responsibilities of a Ground Maintenance Operative. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in gardening or grounds maintenance.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous work in gardening or grounds maintenance. Mention specific tasks you've performed that align with the job requirements, such as operating machinery or maintaining communal areas.
Showcase Teamwork Skills: Since the role involves working in small teams, include examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in past positions. This could be through projects, training apprentices, or responding to challenges together.
Demonstrate Health and Safety Knowledge: Mention your understanding of health and safety practices relevant to outdoor work. If you have any certifications or training in this area, be sure to include them in your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Optivo
✨Know Your Gardening Basics
Brush up on your gardening knowledge, especially the specific tasks mentioned in the job description like weeding, planting, and pruning. Being able to discuss your experience with these tasks will show your suitability for the role.
✨Demonstrate Safety Awareness
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations related to grounds maintenance. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure safety while operating machinery and tools, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Show Team Spirit
Since the role involves working in small teams, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in previous jobs. Highlight any experience you have in supervising or coaching others, as this will be a plus.
✨Prepare for Customer Interaction
As you'll be serving as a point of contact for residents, think about how you would handle inquiries or complaints. Show that you can maintain professionalism and friendliness, even in challenging situations.