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- Tasks: Help maintain vibrant outdoor spaces and ensure clean, safe estates for residents.
- Company: Join SettleParadigm, the largest housing group in the region with a strong social purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, health cash plan, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in communities while growing your horticultural skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in grounds maintenance, health & safety knowledge, and a full clean driving licence required.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with opportunities for training, volunteering, and career progression.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 40000 £ per year.
Bring your passion for horticulture to a growing housing association as an Estates Operative. You will help keep our estates clean, safe and vibrant across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, creating healthy outdoor spaces our residents can enjoy. Working 42.5 hours per week, this is a great opportunity to grow your horticultural skills while making a real impact in our communities.
The Estate Service team delivers services that affect our land and residents, the team are remote working, often in teams and deliver grounds-maintenance, bulk waste removal and cleaning services throughout Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. This role will involve keeping our estates clean and safe, ensuring our residents have a healthy environment in which to live and spaces that benefit them. You will use your skills and initiative to work both in a team and independently to deliver a proactive and responsive service to our residents and the homes we service.
Key Responsibilities:- Deliver an amazing grounds-maintenance, litter and bulk waste removal service to our customers.
- Services include grass cutting, hedge maintenance, lawn edging, moss clearance, pruning, maintenance of plants and shrubs, spraying and gritting.
- Land clearance of areas plotted for development.
- Removal of bulk waste which will include assisting finding the culprit so that re-charging can be considered.
- Working with our customers to ensure estate matters are reported.
- Carry out a schedule of inspections and checks to ensure our estates are kept in a safe manner.
- Work closely with colleagues to ensure a brilliant service is offered.
- Ensure work is delivered in a safe manner.
- Other ad-hoc site or customer requirements.
- Must haves:
- Experience of grounds-maintenance & estate servicing.
- Experience of Health & Safety at work.
- Capacity to work as part of a team.
- Full Clean Driving Licence.
- Must be physically fit enough to carry out manual handling tasks.
- Be able to identify risks and hazards and carry out emergency planning.
- Be a good communicator.
- Nice to haves:
- Be willing to work towards social purpose goals helping the communities we work in.
- Willing to work extra hours and respond to emergency calls outside of work hours.
- Desire to develop and progress in horticulture and continue to broaden experience.
- Hold PA1 / PA6a Spraying Certification.
- Have experience of towing trailers.
- For added brilliance:
- Hold a recognised horticultural qualification.
At SettleParadigm, we believe in creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. Our comprehensive benefits and rewards package reflects this commitment.
- Annual salary: £33,767.96 per annum.
- 25 days holiday, increasing with service, plus Christmas closure and buy options.
- Generous pension scheme - up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice.
- Family-friendly leave: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
- Health cash plan - claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids cover).
- Life cover and income protection.
- Flexible working - hybrid options, modern offices, free parking & EV charging.
- 30+ qualified Mental Health First Aiders available to support.
- Car leasing via salary sacrifice (for permanent colleagues subject to conditions).
- Funded training, qualifications & apprenticeships.
- 3 paid volunteering days in the local communities.
- Peer-recognition rewards platform.
- Paid professional subscription (one per year).
42.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday 8:00 - 17:30.
Our Commitment:We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from underrepresented groups.
Accessibility and Adjustments:We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required.
Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made. Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.
Closing Date: 31st January 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the closing date should we find a suitable candidate.
Estates Operative in Letchworth employer: Paradigm Housing
Contact Detail:
Paradigm Housing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Estates Operative in Letchworth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research SettleParadigm and understand their values and mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to horticulture and community services. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to grounds maintenance and health & safety. Think about specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your skills and how you can contribute to keeping estates clean and safe.
✨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 our team at SettleParadigm and making a difference in the communities we serve.
We think you need these skills to ace Estates Operative in Letchworth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Horticulture: When you're writing your application, let your love for horticulture shine through! Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your skills and enthusiasm for creating vibrant outdoor spaces.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Estates Operative role. Highlight your experience in grounds maintenance and any health and safety knowledge you have, as these are key to the job.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well so that we can easily see how you fit into our team and the impact you can make in our communities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Paradigm Housing
✨Know Your Horticulture
Brush up on your horticultural knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific plants, maintenance techniques, and any relevant certifications you hold. Showing genuine passion for the field will impress the interviewers.
✨Safety First!
Since health and safety is a must-have for this role, prepare to talk about your experience with safety protocols. Think of examples where you've identified risks or handled emergencies in previous jobs. This will demonstrate your proactive approach.
✨Team Player Vibes
This position requires teamwork, so be ready to share experiences where you collaborated effectively with others. Highlight your communication skills and how you contribute to a positive team environment. It’s all about showing you can work well with colleagues!
✨Show Your Commitment to Community
The organisation values social purpose, so express your desire to make a difference in the community. Share any past volunteer work or initiatives you've been involved in that align with their mission. This will show you're not just looking for a job, but a meaningful career.
