At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain outdoor spaces and ensure they are safe and welcoming for the community.
- Company: Join a diverse team at Serco, committed to making a positive impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive, inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with grounds maintenance equipment or a willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 26509 - 26509 £ per year.
Location: Ash-Vale, Surrey, GU12 5QF
Salary: £26,509.50 plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Full-time, average of 40 hours per week. Summer hours: Monday to Thursday 07:00 to 16:30, Friday 07:00 to 15:00. Winter hours: Monday to Thursday 07:30 to 15:00, Friday 07:30 to 14:00
Ready to impact a better future? As a Grounds Operative in our team, you’ll help create safe, clean and welcoming outdoor spaces that communities can take pride in. Your work will directly support the upkeep of public areas, helping to deliver a positive impact every day. From parks and open spaces to housing and highways, you’ll play a vital role in maintaining the environment and ensuring high standards are met throughout the year. Working as part of a supportive team, you’ll contribute to meaningful work that touches lives and helps shape better places for everyone.
What You’ll Do
- Carry out scheduled grounds maintenance activities using a range of machinery and equipment
- Support work across multiple service areas, including housing, highways, parks and open spaces
- Understand and deliver work in line with contract specifications and varying site conditions
- Inspect, maintain and clean machinery and vehicles, reporting any issues as required
- Uphold health and safety standards and deliver excellent customer interactions with members of the public
- Undergo specific training to improve skill levels and knowledge of Contract requirements as required
Does this sound like you?
- Experience using grounds maintenance equipment or a willingness to learn
- A strong awareness of health and safety in outdoor working environments
- Good communication skills and a team-focused approach
- Pride in your work and a commitment to maintaining high standards
- A proactive mindset and willingness to develop new skills through training
- Full UK Driving Licence
Vetting And Checks
As well as checking eligibility to work in the UK, you will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to help us identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.
What We Offer
- Holidays: 20 days plus bank holidays
- Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
- Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
- Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
- Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
- Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.
Equal Opportunities & Inclusion
At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holders of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required).
Grounds Operative employer: Serco
At Serco, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and personal development. As a Grounds Operative in Ash-Vale, Surrey, you will enjoy competitive benefits, including a generous pension scheme, extensive training opportunities, and a commitment to employee wellbeing. Join us to make a meaningful impact in your community while enjoying a fulfilling career with ample growth potential.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Grounds Operative
✨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 Serco.
✨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 Serco.
✨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 Serco; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Grounds Operative
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 Serco.
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 Operative.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Serco 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 Serco a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨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 Serco might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
