At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain beautiful gardens and grounds while using cool tools and machinery.
- Company: Join Southern Housing, a leading housing provider making a difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy a pension, healthcare plan, birthday leave, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Get outdoors, work with nature, and contribute to your community every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in gardening and a full UK driving licence required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Overview
The role: Reporting to our local Estate Services Supervisor, you will be delivering a high-quality gardening and grounds maintenance service. You'll be provided with tools and machinery to help you undertake your tasks and we will supply you with a new uniform, safety boots and personal protective equipment. You will need to have the ability to work outside in all weathers and be able to undertake physically demanding work. Your main base will be Gunter's Mead, Esher, with duties extending across Surrey. This is a permanent position working 40 hours a week.
Key responsibilities
- Carrying out a range of tasks required for grounds maintenance including, but not limited to, weeding, dead heading, hoeing, planting, pruning, and cutting.
- Cutting and maintaining lawns and grass areas to a variety of finishes (fine to rough meadow type) using a variety of machines, including pedestrian operated, tractors & ride-on mowers, strimmers and brush cutters.
- Responding promptly to acts of vandalism, including graffiti, and reporting all incidents to your line manager.
- Being a point of contact for residents, assisting where possible or refer enquiries to colleagues.
What you’ll need
- Experience in undertaking gardening / grounds maintenance duties
- Experience of working in small teams
- Basic knowledge and understanding of health and safety considerations as they apply to this role.
- You must hold a full UK driving licence with no more than six points and with no serious motoring offences in the last 10 years (i.e., CD, DD, DG, DR, IN, MR, TT). You must also have a minimum of two years driving experience. We will undertake driving licence checks on the successful candidate as part of our standard pre-employment checks process.
In your supporting statement, it is important that you address how you meet the above criteria providing examples.
About us
At Southern Housing, our residents are at the heart of everything we do. As one of the largest housing providers in the UK with over 77,000 homes across London, the Southeast, the Isle of Wight, and the Midlands, we give over 167,000 people somewhere affordable to call their own! We also understand the difference that safe, secure, and affordable homes can make to people's lives.
A career at Southern Housing will allow you to make a difference every day you come to work. Working in the housing sector with us will bring fresh challenges and give you the opportunity to grow and develop, too.
What's in it for you
- Pension
- Life assurance
- Healthcare cash plan
- Eyecare & dental
- Birthday leave
- Retailers discounts
- Cycle to work
- Buy & sell annual leave
- Season ticket loan
- In-house academy & career development
- Flexible working
Inclusion & Diversity
We work hard to create a diverse and inclusive culture and environment where people are respected for who they are. Encouraging inclusion is not just about protected characteristics, it's about celebrating differences of thought, opinion, experience and perspective of each individual.
We're all different in our own way and we want our colleagues to feel comfortable, that they belong, and are safe to be themselves at work, without fear of being judged or excluded, but valued for their contribution to our One Team approach.
Grounds Maintenance Operative in Esher employer: Southern Housing
Contact Detail:
Southern Housing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Grounds Maintenance Operative in Esher
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Southern Housing. Understand their values and how they impact the community. This will help you connect your experience in grounds maintenance to their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Think about common interview questions related to gardening and grounds maintenance. Prepare examples from your past work that showcase your skills and teamwork. We want to hear how you’ve tackled challenges in the field!
✨Tip Number 3
Dress for success! Even though you’ll be working outdoors, make sure to present yourself well during the interview. A neat appearance shows you take the opportunity seriously. Plus, it sets a positive tone for your potential future with us.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind. Remember, we love candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Grounds Maintenance Operative in Esher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight any previous gardening or grounds maintenance experience you've got. We want to see how you've tackled similar tasks before, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Be Specific About Skills: In your supporting statement, get into the nitty-gritty of your skills. Talk about your knowledge of health and safety practices and any machinery you’ve used. This helps us understand how you’ll fit into our team and the role.
Address the Criteria: Make sure you directly address the criteria listed in the job description. We’re looking for specific examples that show how you meet each requirement, so tailor your application to match what we’re after.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Southern Housing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Housing
✨Know Your Gardening Basics
Brush up on your gardening and grounds maintenance knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific tasks like weeding, pruning, and lawn care techniques. Showing that you understand the tools and machinery you'll be using will impress the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since this role involves working in small teams, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in previous jobs. Highlighting your ability to work well with colleagues will show that you're a great fit for their team.
✨Safety First!
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations relevant to grounds maintenance. Be ready to discuss how you prioritise safety in your work, especially when using machinery or dealing with vandalism. This shows that you take your responsibilities seriously.
✨Engage with Residents
As a point of contact for residents, it's important to demonstrate your communication skills. Think of examples where you've effectively assisted customers or handled inquiries. This will show that you can represent the company positively while engaging with the community.