Job Title: NLGV Driver/Working Team Leader – Boroughwide
Salary: £34,638 - £39,309 per annum (pro rata if part-time)
Grade: D
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
About the Department
The Clean & Green Service is responsible for maintaining clean, safe and attractive public spaces across Thurrock. Operating within the new locality-based structure, our teams deliver a wide range of environmental services including street cleansing, grounds maintenance and waste-related activities.
Working collaboratively across services, we are committed to improving local environments, responding to community needs and delivering visible improvements across the borough. This role plays a key part in helping us achieve high standards of cleanliness and environmental quality
About the Role
As an NLGV Driver/Working Team Leader you will be responsible for:
- Leading and motivating a locality-based team of grounds maintenance operatives.
- Ensuring high-quality grounds maintenance standards are achieved across parks, open spaces, housing estates, cemeteries and council-owned land.
- Allocating, monitoring and rescheduling tasks to ensure work is completed efficiently and within agreed timescales.
- Carrying out practical grounds maintenance duties including grass cutting, strimming, hedge maintenance, tree work and winter maintenance activities.
- Conducting quality inspections and ensuring compliance with service standards.
- Promoting and maintaining a strong health and safety culture across the team.
- Ensuring daily vehicle, equipment and PPE checks are completed and accurately recorded.
- Using digital work management systems to schedule work, record inspections and report completed tasks.
- Acting as the first point of contact for operational issues raised by staff, residents, councillors and partner services.
- Working collaboratively with other Clean & Green, Street Services and Waste Collection teams to deliver integrated environmental services.
This role offers the chance to make a real difference by helping to create and maintain attractive, safe and sustainable green spaces for residents and visitors across Thurrock.
What We’re Looking For
We're looking for someone who has:
- Previous experience in grounds maintenance operations.
- Experience leading or supervising grounds maintenance, environmental or operational teams.
- Strong communication and motivational skills.
- The ability to allocate work, monitor performance and carry out quality inspections.
- Experience using grounds maintenance machinery and equipment, including ride-on and pedestrian mowers, strimmers, and hedge cutters.
- Competence in using digital or mobile systems for work scheduling and reporting.
- A proactive approach to health and safety and staff wellbeing.
- The ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- A flexible approach and commitment to excellent customer service.
Essential qualifications:
- Full Category B Driving Licence.
- Level 2 Horticulture qualification (or equivalent).
- Chainsaw certification.
- Woodchipper certification
Desirable qualifications:
- Level 3 Horticulture qualification (or equivalent).
- PA1/PA6 Herbicide Application certification.
- First Aid qualification.
- Formal supervisory or leadership training (e.g. ILM Level 3 or equivalent).
DBS Check: Not Required.
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
Additional Information
If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:
Derek Desmond - Clean & Green Area Manager
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:
Download Job Profile (PDF Document)
If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.
NLGV Driver Team Leader - Boroughwide in Grays employer: Thurrock Council
Thurrock Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its staff. As an Education Lead Adviser based in Grays, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children while collaborating with dedicated professionals in a multi-agency environment. With a strong commitment to employee growth and community engagement, Thurrock Council provides a rewarding career path for those passionate about safeguarding and educational attainment.
