At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive and maintain grounds while ensuring high-quality service in parks and open spaces.
- Company: Join Thurrock Council, a dynamic organisation making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, flexible working, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting career growth in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that enhances local environments and supports biodiversity.
- Qualifications: Must have a Category B driving licence and Level 2 in Horticulture or equivalent.
The predicted salary is between 30219 - 33819 £ per year.
We are seeking a NLGV Driver Operative to join the Grounds Maintenance Team. This post forms part of the new locality-based Clean & Green operational structure, delivering efficient, sustainable, and high-quality grounds maintenance services across the borough of Thurrock.
About the Role
As a NLGV Driver Operative, you will be responsible for:
- Carrying out a range of horticultural and grounds maintenance work ensuring that a high standard of grounds maintenance is achieved in parks, open spaces, housing areas, cemeteries and other council owned spaces supporting biodiversity, waste reduction, and sustainable grounds management.
- Working as part of an integrated Area Team delivering grounds maintenance across a defined locality.
- Providing grounds maintenance duties through daily work scheduling in line with required standards and ensuring compliance with all aspects of health and safety.
- Vehicles include, but are not limited to, vehicles 3.5t GVW and under including ride-on mowers.
- Working flexibly and as part of a team to provide excellent grounds maintenance services to the community.
- Collaborative working with Street Cleansing, Highways Maintenance, and Waste Collections teams to reflect the new integrated Clean & Green Structure.
- Ensuring that accurate records of work undertaken are maintained using digital systems and data-driven monitoring, e.g., Bartec, in-cab systems, or Power BI for performance management and reporting.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who has:
- Willingness to undertake outside working of a physical nature in all weather conditions.
- Ability to work alone when required, with minimal supervision.
- Ability to communicate clearly, simply and effectively to a range of audiences.
- Good general education, including a good standard of numeracy and literacy.
- Basic digital literacy – ability to use handheld or in-cab systems for task recording.
Essential Qualifications:
- Category B driving licence.
- Ability to drive and operate a range of non-LGV vehicles including vehicles under 3,500kg GVW and ride-on mowers.
- Level 2 in Horticulture or equivalent qualification.
- Awareness of manual handling and safe lifting techniques.
- Knowledge of basic maintenance and care of plant, equipment and vehicles.
Benefits of Working with Us
At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable).
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
- Staff discounts and local offers.
- A supportive and inclusive working environment.
Important Dates
- Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 19th November 2026.
- Closing Date (Internal & External): 29th November 2026.
- Interview Date: To Be Confirmed.
If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact: Mark Norrington - Clean & Green Area Manager.
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below: Download Job Profile (PDF Document).
If the Person Specification lists essential qualifications, please ensure you upload copies of your certificates to your application form.
Why Thurrock?
Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve. Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead. This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.
Our location
Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents. We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes. Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.
Staff benefits
We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification. We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council.
NLGV Driver Operative - Grounds Maintenance in Grays employer: Thurrock Council
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