Grounds Maintenance Operative

Location: Leicestershire (with occasional travel to surrounding counties)

Job Type: Full-time | Long-Term Opportunity

Working hours: 7am-3pm (degree of flexibility is required)

Pay Rate: £13.90 per hour

About the Role

We are currently recruiting for a Grounds Maintenance Operative to join a dedicated team delivering essential environmental maintenance services across Leicestershire and, on occasion, surrounding counties. This is an excellent long-term opportunity for someone who enjoys working outdoors and takes pride in helping maintain the county's highways, verges, footpaths and public spaces. The role is seasonal, with duties varying throughout the year to meet operational requirements. Working as part of a professional team, you'll carry out a wide range of environmental maintenance tasks while ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

Key Responsibilities

• Summer Activities
• Grass cutting in urban and rural areas following planned routes and schedules.
• Hedge trimming and vegetation management.
• General verge maintenance.
• Winter Activities
• Cutting back overgrown vegetation and hand hedge trimming.
• Verge edging and vegetation clearance.
• Sign washing.
• General highway maintenance duties.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Operating a range of machinery, including mowers, trailers and powered light plant.
• Carrying out daily vehicle, trailer and equipment checks and basic maintenance.
• Supporting emergency call-out operations when required.
• Assisting Supervisors and Site Team Leaders to ensure work is completed safely and efficiently.
• Acting as a lead operative when required, providing guidance and support to colleagues and temporary staff.
• Ensuring all work complies with Health & Safety legislation, traffic management requirements and safe working procedures.
• Maintaining accurate training records and participating in ongoing training and development.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for reliable and motivated individuals who:

• Enjoy working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Have experience in highways, grounds maintenance, landscaping or a similar environment (preferred).
• Can safely operate or are willing to learn to operate mowers, trailers and powered equipment.
• Have a strong awareness of Health & Safety and safe working practices.
• Can work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Are organised, dependable and able to prioritise workloads.
• Have good communication skills and a positive approach to customer service.
• Are willing to support and mentor less experienced colleagues when required.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

The following would be advantageous, although training may be provided for suitable candidates:

• NVQ Level 2 in Highways Maintenance or similar.
• NRSWA Operative qualification.
• National Highways Sector Scheme 12D.
• Valid driving licence.
• Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence with CPC and Driver Qualification Card (DQC).
• Experience working within highways maintenance, civil engineering or environmental services.

Working Hours & Requirements

Working hours begin and end at the depot each day. Regular travel to various work sites across Leicestershire and surrounding areas is required. Flexibility is essential, with occasional evening, weekend, night and public holiday work required to meet service demands. Participation in an emergency standby/call-out rota may be required. This is a Safety Critical role and is subject to random Drug & Alcohol testing. Drivers may be required to complete pre-employment and annual medical assessments where applicable.

What We Offer

Long-term employment with a stable and respected organisation. Full training and ongoing career development opportunities. Opportunity to gain recognised industry qualifications. Varied outdoor work where no two days are the same. Supportive team environment with opportunities to develop additional responsibilities. Additional pay may be available when undertaking lead operative responsibilities.

If you're looking for a rewarding outdoor role where you can make a real difference to the local environment while developing your skills, we'd love to hear from you.