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- Tasks: Keep our site safe and well-maintained with hands-on grounds maintenance activities.
- Company: Join QinetiQ, a leader in defence technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, and health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal growth and community involvement.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that empowers and protects lives through innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience with tractors and mowers, plus a full UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow, we’re creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations, our mission is to empower and protect lives. As a Grounds Maintenance Operative, you’ll play a key role in keeping the site safe, well‑maintained, and operating smoothly throughout the year.
Day-to-day, you’ll carry out a wide range of grounds‑based activities including strimming, hedge cutting, ride‑on and tractor work, and general site maintenance.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Delivering grounds maintenance services and identifying areas for improvement
- Delivering specialist grounds services including the management of pest and tree hazards
- Maintaining awareness of grounds and land legislation, standards, technical requirements and developments
- Prioritising work programmes effectively to meet operational and business needs
- Participating in the on‑call rota during periods of adverse weather to support safe site access
- Overseeing contractors on site and monitoring the performance of allocated tasks
Essential experience of the Grounds Maintenance Operative:
- Experience of driving a tractor and mower (with qualifications)
- Experience delivering a range of grounds maintenance services including general upkeep and specialist tasks
- Ability to prioritise workloads effectively to meet operational and business needs
- Experience applying health, safety and environmental procedures in daily work
- Experience overseeing contractors and monitoring delivery of allocated tasks
Essential qualifications for the Grounds Maintenance Operative:
- Lantra Qualifications (Tractor, Mower (preferably a ride on))
- Full UK Driving License
This role is 37 hours per week based at Shoeburyness. Set working times are:
- 07:30 – 16:30 Monday to Thursday
- 07:30 – 12:30 Friday
Shoeburyness QinetiQ Shoeburyness is a significant test and evaluation facility specialising in defence and security technologies. The site is focused on Environmental Testing including the evaluation of various ordnance, explosives and related systems. Implementing measures to ensure that testing activities comply with environmental regulations and minimise ecological impact.
Why Join QinetiQ? As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges. As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential.
Our Benefits:
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
- Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
- Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
- We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
- Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community
Our Recruitment Process: We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments. Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.
Grounds Maintenance Operative employer: QinetiQ Security & Defense Contractors
Contact Detail:
QinetiQ Security & Defense Contractors Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Grounds Maintenance Operative
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on QinetiQ. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to grounds maintenance. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Think about the specific skills and experiences you have that match the job description. Prepare examples of when you've successfully managed grounds maintenance tasks or overseen contractors. This will help you shine during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress for success! Even if the role is hands-on, showing up looking professional can make a great first impression. It shows that you take the opportunity seriously and respect the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Grounds Maintenance Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience with grounds maintenance. Talk about the specific tasks you've done, like strimming or hedge cutting, and any qualifications you have, especially if you can drive a tractor or mower.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to the role by using keywords from the job description. This shows us that you understand what we're looking for and that you're genuinely interested in the position.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforwardness, so avoid fluff and get straight to your skills and experiences that relate to the Grounds Maintenance Operative role.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you can check out more about our culture and values while you’re there!
How to prepare for a job interview at QinetiQ Security & Defense Contractors
✨Know Your Grounds Maintenance Basics
Make sure you brush up on the essential skills and tasks related to grounds maintenance. Familiarise yourself with strimming, hedge cutting, and tractor work. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience confidently will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Understand Health and Safety Regulations
Since health, safety, and environmental procedures are crucial in this role, be prepared to talk about your experience applying these regulations. Think of specific examples where you've ensured safety on site or dealt with environmental concerns, as this will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.
✨Prioritisation is Key
The job requires effective prioritisation of workloads. Be ready to share how you've managed multiple tasks in the past, especially under pressure. Use examples that highlight your ability to assess situations and make decisions that align with operational needs.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
QinetiQ values teamwork and collaboration, so be prepared to discuss your experience working with others. Share stories that illustrate how you've successfully overseen contractors or collaborated with colleagues to achieve common goals. This will help convey that you're a team player who can contribute positively to their diverse environment.