At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain beautiful gardens and open spaces while ensuring a clean environment.
- Company: Join Riverside, a leading housing association dedicated to enhancing lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holidays, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in grounds maintenance and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 24507 - 24507 £ per year.
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract until 30th October 2026
Salary: £24507.16 Per Annum
Working Hours: 35 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, Hybrid Location: Stoke on Trent
Please attach a current CV and covering letter.
The difference you will make as a Grounds Maintenance Operative (Environmental):
- To undertake a range of grounds maintenance work within your assigned region on landscaped areas, gardens and open spaces owned by the Group.
About you:
- Environmental Services / grounds maintenance experience.
- Ability to undertake manual work.
- Customer focussed with excellent communication skills.
Why Riverside?
- At Riverside, we’re a housing association enhancing everyday life for all our customers.
- We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK.
Benefits:
- Competitive pay & generous pension
- 28 days holidays plus bank holidays
- Flexible working options available
- Investment in learning, personal development and technology
- A wide range of benefits
Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:
We are inclusive and value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered and heard. Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants who declare a disability.
Application deadline:
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to be considered.
Role Profile:
- Undertake general maintenance of hard and soft landscaped areas owned by the Group, including grass cutting, hedge trimming, litter picking, clearing leaves and shrub bed cultivations.
- Provide a rapid flexible response to removal of fly tipping, rubbish removal and graffiti removal.
- Maintain safe working practices at all times when utilising appropriate hand tools and machinery.
- Report health, safety and environmental breaches to the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor in line with the agreed escalation route.
- Apply ‘Our Riverside Way’ within the environmental offer by delivering excellent levels of customer service at all times.
- Provide community insight, reporting any environmental issues, community safety or resident feedback to the Environmental Supervisor as appropriate and in line with the agreed escalation route.
- Maintain effective relationships with colleagues on each of our contracts.
- Undertake personal development and training to keep up to date with all relevant legislation.
- Work collaboratively and flexibly across all teams within the organisation.
- Ensure work activities are compliant with the organisation’s policies and procedures as well as external statutory and regulatory obligations.
- Respond flexibly to any necessary changes in work priorities and undertake other duties when required to support the effective operation of the service.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of processes and procedures.
- Ensure that health and safety requirements are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements.
- Ensure that all information security requirements, including data protection, are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements.
Additional Information:
The Group has offices across the UK and there may be the requirement to travel to other locations to effectively perform this role, albeit regular support will be required to teams in Camden and Dartford. The role will be exposed to sensitive information; the role holder is expected to maintain confidentiality at all times. You will be required to work flexibly during the hours of operation. The role holder is expected to be committed to equal opportunities and to promote non‑discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken.
Person specification:
Essential:- Environmental Services / grounds maintenance experience.
- Ability to undertake manual work.
- Customer focussed with excellent communication skills.
- Clean driving licence.
- Basic IT skills including Microsoft Office.
- Excellent team player who can work flexibly to meet business requirements.
- Successful completion of a horticultural course.
Grounds Maintenance Operative in Stoke-on-Trent employer: The Riverside Group
Riverside is an exceptional employer, dedicated to enhancing everyday life for our customers while fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. With competitive pay, generous pension schemes, and a commitment to personal development, we empower our Grounds Maintenance Operatives to thrive in their roles. Our diverse culture values every individual, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected, making Riverside a truly rewarding place to work in Stoke on Trent.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Grounds Maintenance Operative in Stoke-on-Trent
✨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 The Riverside Group.
✨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 The Riverside Group.
✨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 The Riverside Group; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Grounds Maintenance Operative in Stoke-on-Trent
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 The Riverside Group.
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 Maintenance Operative.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what The Riverside Group 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 The Riverside Group a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Riverside Group
✨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 The Riverside Group might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
