At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Cemetery Grounds Maintenance team and help maintain beautiful local cemeteries.
- Company: Wirral Council, committed to staff wellbeing and community service.
- Benefits: 28 days leave, flexible working, discounts, and a strong pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact in your community while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in grounds maintenance and health & safety awareness required.
- Other info: Temporary contract for 26 weeks with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 1200 - 1600 £ per month.
An exciting and challenging opportunity has been created to join our Cemetery Grounds Maintenance team who maintain various Cemeteries within Wirral. We are looking for 3 x Seasonal GMOs to help provide an excellent service for local people. The successful candidates will help implement the Wirral Parks Standard which will involve working with staff, Friends Groups, service users and external organisations. The successful candidates will join one of three Cemetery teams based at Frankby, Flaybrick or Bebington cemeteries. The Grounds Maintenance team work to provide a comprehensive grounds maintenance service to these areas for Parks & Countryside.
We are looking for someone who has worked within a Grounds Maintenance team and experience of mowing and vegetation control, maintenance, and management of shrub stock, and in addition undertake cleansing operations and all other duties which includes assisting at burials relevant to the grade. The successful candidate will have the following essential Knowledge & Skills:
- Health & Safety awareness.
- Full/Provisional Driving Licence.
As well as being able to carry out a full range of maintenance duties it will be desirable if you were skilled in at least one of the following:
- Compact Ride-On Mowing Machines.
- Experience in use of industrial horticultural machinery, strimmer, backpack blower and hedge cutter.
The postholders Key Tasks will include:
- Working within a Cemetery Grounds Maintenance team.
- Assisting and implementing a grass cutting schedule.
- Working with plans.
- Carry out other Amenity work when required.
Possession of the following Desirable Criteria will be advantageous:
- Previous experience working within a Cemetery environment.
- Towing of trailers.
- NVQ 2 in Amenity Horticulture.
Temporary Contract and hours are as follows: 26 weeks @ 36 hrs to commence on 30th March 2026 to 25th September 2026. Working hours are: Monday to Thursday 07.45am - 16.30pm. Friday - 7.45am - 11.45am. Interviews to take place week commencing 23rd February 2026.
If you’re already a Wirral Council employee, and as part of our Talent Strategy, we’re committed to strengthening opportunities for our people to learn, grow, progress, and thrive. For many of you, this may be preparing and applying for your next role with us, and we’re passionate about ensuring you feel supported throughout your internal recruitment experience.
You’ll also want to know what it’s like to work here so, as a start: Our values are more than just pieces of paper on our walls! We’ve all played a role in developing these, so they reflect the immense pride we have in what we do, what matters to us, what inspires us and inform how we think, approach things and behave. We believe in ensuring staff are well looked after, staff wellbeing is a priority for us. We’re serious about recognising and rewarding people for the great things they do. You’ll benefit from our track record of developing, growing and investing in our people.
We have a range of staff benefits including staff discounts, an excellent pension scheme which includes a generous employer contribution rate, immediate life cover and ill-health protection. We have a strong flexible working approach, hybrid working, family-friendly employment initiatives and an annual leave package starting with 28 days leave plus public holidays. We have an inclusive, engaged culture, everyone has a voice, everyone is valued for their contribution and understands the role they play in delivering our strategic priorities. Each voice is heard, each contribution valued. We embrace diversity in our workforce and recognise it is critical to our success. We support an inclusive culture that champions differences and nurtures a sense of belonging. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds, who share our values and our commitment to inclusion to apply for roles with us.
We want you to be your best at work, we create the conditions to help you thrive and we mirror this in our recruitment process. If you’d like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process to make it barrier-free and as accessible as possible please contact us.
Please note that in accordance with the Council’s policy, employees who are in a formal redeployment situation will be considered in the first instance for all vacancies. It is Council policy not to re-appoint any employee who has left under the terms of the Council's Early Voluntary Retirement (EVR) scheme or who have left with a voluntary severance (VS) package, unless in exceptional circumstances. Applications will be accepted until midnight on the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. Applications can only be accepted through the Jobs page following registration. Forms received via the post will not be processed. All applicants invited to interview must evidence their right to work in the UK. Details of required documents can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of the Jobs page. The job description and other supporting documents will not be accessible once the vacancy closing date has passed so if a copy is required you should download it now. We do not accept applications or CV’s from recruitment agencies, unless otherwise stated. Therefore, any candidates submitted via a recruitment agency will not be considered for this role.
Seasonal Grounds Maintenance Operative (Cemeteries) employer: Wirral Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Wirral Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Seasonal Grounds Maintenance Operative (Cemeteries)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Cemetery Grounds Maintenance team. Understanding their values and how they operate will help you connect during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the crew.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you've got experience with compact ride-on mowers or any industrial horticultural machinery, make sure to highlight that. Bring it up in conversation or even better, prepare examples of how you've used these skills effectively in past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for practical questions! Since this role involves hands-on work, expect some practical scenarios during the interview. Brush up on your knowledge of health and safety practices and be prepared to discuss how you'd handle specific maintenance tasks.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, so head over to our jobs page and submit your application there. It’s the best way to ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Seasonal Grounds Maintenance Operative (Cemeteries)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any previous experience you have in grounds maintenance. Mention specific tasks you've done, like mowing or managing shrub stock, to show us you're the right fit for the role.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your cover letter and CV to reflect the skills and knowledge mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experience.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, we only accept applications through our website. So, make sure you register and submit your application there to ensure it gets seen by the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wirral Borough Council
✨Know Your Grounds
Familiarise yourself with the specific duties of a Grounds Maintenance Operative, especially in a cemetery setting. Brush up on your knowledge of health and safety practices, as well as the equipment you'll be using, like ride-on mowers and strimmers. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also prepared for it.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Since you'll be working closely with a team, it's important to demonstrate your ability to collaborate. Think of examples from your past experiences where you worked effectively with others, especially in a grounds maintenance or similar environment. Highlighting your teamwork skills can set you apart.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. Inquire about the grass cutting schedule or how the team collaborates with Friends Groups and service users. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand the expectations better.
✨Be Ready for Practical Assessments
Given the hands-on nature of this job, be prepared for potential practical assessments during the interview process. Brush up on your skills with the machinery mentioned in the job description, and be ready to discuss your experience with tasks like mowing and vegetation control.