Members only

Directorate: Customer, Place and Services
Job Title: Grounds Maintenance Operative (Permanent)
Hours: 40 Hours per week (Monday to Friday 08:00 – 16:30)
Salary: £25,027.20 (Full Time Equivalent based on 40 hours) per annum, pro rata

Location: Based at Gadbrook Park, Northwich. Working across various locations within Cheshire.

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity working as part of a professional, engaged, and friendly organisation?  Our values are Fairness, Openness, Respect, Enthusiasm, Collaboration, Commitment and Customer Focus, we are constantly striving to demonstrate these values in our day to day working environment and culture.

The Opportunity

The Trust has an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to develop their career with a great company.  We are looking for an experienced, diligent, and friendly Grounds Maintenance Operative on a permanent basis to join our Open Space and Environmental Services Team. Within this varied role you will work with other team members to ensure that our neighbourhoods are attractive, clean and safe.

What Will You Do?

The Open Space Team is responsible for the maintenance of all Trust Open Spaces, external and internal communal areas including grassed areas, shrub beds, trees and play areas.  As part of our grounds maintenance team your duties will include mowing, hedge cutting, weeding, and litter picking across all our open spaces and communal gardens. We are looking for positive and experienced team members who will bring knowledge and enthusiasm to help shape the future of our Grounds Maintenance service.

You will have experience of working within a grounds maintenance environment and understand the requirements to meet the demands of a cyclical maintenance schedule. The role will require good horticultural knowledge, including planting and maintenance techniques that will contribute to improving the desirability of our neighbourhoods and Open Spaces. You will be comfortable in the use of all horticultural equipment and machinery and enjoy working outdoors whatever the weather. You will be expected to work safely, follow guidelines, assess risk and ensure the safety of yourself, our customers and your colleagues.

Requirements For This Role*

• Full UK driving licence
• Experience of working in a role that includes undertaking physical tasks outdoors and operating a range of equipment and machinery
• Good all-round plant and tree knowledge including identification and maintenance requirements
• Grade GCSE 4-9 / A* – C (Math’s and English) or equivalent level of qualification
• Good knowledge of best working health and safety practices and legislation
• Experience of working in a customer focused environment and able to demonstrate excellent customer care including the ability to manage difficult situations

The role will also require the successful candidate to undergo a DBS check.

In line with the Trust’s Disclosure & Barring Policy, please confirm WITHIN YOUR APPLICATION if you have any current convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will be subject to a DBS check.

*Please see Accountability profile for further information and requirements.

For more information contact:

If you have any queries about this or would like to ask any questions to learn more about the role, please contact Julia Chambres (Contract Manager – Open Spaces & Environmental Services) at [email protected]

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Generous annual leave entitlement – 24-29 days (entitlement increases 1 day each year, over the first 5 years) holidays plus UK public/bank holidays (based on level of service) (part time pro rata)*
• Ability to buy up to 5 days additional annual leave* (pro rata for part-time) each year*
• 5% employer contribution to our Pension Scheme (minimum 3% employee contribution) with life assurance benefit*.
• Contribution to the cost of nursery or afterschool care to help with childcare costs*
• Commitment to support your ongoing learning and development, with the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills.
• Day off for your Birthday to be taken during your birth month (based on contractual hours)
• An annual Health and Wellbeing Allowance or the option to enrol in a Health Cash Plan*
• ‘Thank you’ gift for your continuous service starting at 5 years’ service, and every 5 years’ thereafter.
• 24/7, 365 day Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) including free counselling
• Compensation for professional memberships which are an expressed requirement
  for the role.
• Free annual flu vaccines and free Eye Care Vouchers every 2 years*
• Discounts on a gym membership and phone contract
• Cycle to work scheme*
• Free to use car park at our office on Gadbrook Park
• Involvement in regular health and wellbeing initiatives and charity fundraising activities
• Opportunities to give feedback and join various colleague forums, to help shape change at the Trust.

* Benefits offered providing you meet the eligibility criteria

HOW TO APPLY:

Closing date for applications:         13th February 2024 (12:00 noon)

(Please be aware that applications received after this time may not be considered)

In person Interview date(s):             20th February 2024

CLICK HERE: Ground Maintenance Operative Job information pack review the job Information pack for further information and submit your CV with a covering letter (max. 2 pages) demonstrating how you meet the minimum criteria in relation to the accountability profile, please send to: [email protected]

Those applicants that consider themselves to have a disability and meet the minimum criteria within the accountability profile for the role will be guaranteed an interview.  Please confirm within your application if you consider yourself to have a disability and if so, what reasonable adjustments may be required for you to attend an interview or assessment.

Disclaimer:

• We may conduct social media checks from sources such as Google, Facebook and LinkedIn to assist us in our assessment of your suitability for the role.
• We reserve the right depending on application numbers to close or extend the closing dates for positions; we would therefore recommend an early application.
• Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
• The recruiting manager will review your skills and experience to determine if there is a match with the position  you have applied for. If there is, we will contact you by phone or email to schedule an interview / assessment. If not, you will not be contacted.
• Please note due to the high volume of applications we are unable to respond to all unsuccessful applicants.  If you haven’t heard from us within 3 weeks of the vacancy closing date, unfortunately we will not be pursuing your application further.
• Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK evidence of essential qualifications, complete a health questionnaire and undertake a DBS check (if relevant to the role).
• We reserve the right to refuse applications if they do not have an accompanying cover letter.

We appreciate your interest in Weaver Vale Housing Trust and the time you have invested in applying to us.

The Trust invites applications from all members of the community, irrespective of Gender, Gender reassignment, Sexual orientation, Race, Religion or belief, Disability, Age, Pregnancy and maternity, Marriage and civil partnership.