Location: St Andrews Parish, Swindon
Hours: 37 per week
Job Type: Permanent
Salary: SCP 13–17 (£29,064–£31,022 pay award pending)

Do you take pride in creating and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces? We're looking for a dedicated Grounds Maintenance Operative to join our team at St Andrews Parish Council.

What you'll be doing:

• Mowing, strimming, hedge cutting and planting.
• Emptying park bins and litter picking.
• Inspecting and maintaining play areas.
• Operating tractors and ride-on mowers.
• Using hand and power tools.
• Working as part of a friendly team.
  
  We're looking for someone who:
• Experience in grounds maintenance.
• Good horticultural knowledge.
• Can work independently and in a team.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Excellent attention to detail.

How to Apply:
Send your CV and covering letter to [email protected].

Closing Date: Friday, 1 August 2026
Interviews: Week beginning Monday, 11 August 2026

Job Description
Grounds Maintenance Operative
Responsible to: Operations Manager
Role Purpose

Grounds Maintenance Operatives work directly for the Operations Manager to deliver services across Grounds, Parks and Waste Management for the Parish to demonstrate value for money and customer-focused service.

Key Responsibilities

• Mowing of Public Amenity land using a combination of tractor and gang mower, Ride-on mower and powered hand tools.
• Shrub bed and Hedge cutting using a combination of tractor mounted attachments (side arm flail) and power hand tools.
• Light pruning of trees (lower branches only) as required.
• Weekly Litter and Dog Waste bin emptying and disposal using a flat bed or RTV.
• Children’s Play Park inspections, maintenance, and repairs to be carried out weekly.
• Play Surface and some Graffiti cleaning using a pressure washer and surface wipes.
• Maintain a high standard of street cleaning and husbandry activities.
• Safe removal of hazardous waste, including broken glass and discarded hypodermic needles, in accordance with training, risk assessments, safe systems of work and PPE requirements.
• Cycle path and footpath sweeping and cleaning.
• Leaf blowing and clearing.
• Fencing repairs plus installation of new street furniture (bins, benches etc).
• Removal and disposal of dead animals in accordance with approved procedures and relevant health and safety requirements
• Removal of fly-tipping as appropriate (large items to be reported to SBC).
• Removal of graffiti (excluding highways).
• Drive and be responsible for allocated vehicles (including vehicle checks) and equipment, cleaning, basic maintenance, refueling and washing duties as needed.
• Use herbicides and pesticides in accordance with relevant legislation, training, certification requirements and Council policies.
• General administration required within the role i.e. mileage logs, waste disposal tickets etc.
• General cleaning tasks within the scope of the overall “Service”.
• Work in accordance with training, instructions, and health & safety policies to ensure proper care is taken in carrying out duties, so as not to endanger yourself or others at work.
• Report any risks or hazardous situations immediately including accidents and near misses with vehicles and equipment.
• Undertake other duties reasonably consistent with the grade and nature of the role as directed by the Operations Manager.

To ensure maximum flexibility and efficient use of staff, all team members will be trained and expected to carry out all aspects of the service.

Person Specification Experience:
Experience of working in a grounds maintenance role.
Previous experience of a physically demanding role.

Skills and Abilities:

• Good communication skills.  
• Practical experience of horticultural maintenance.  
• Practical experience of general maintenance to include the ability to use a 
• range of tools. 
• Able to quickly understand new procedures and working methods. 
• Good organisational skills. 
• Ability to use initiative whilst working unsupervised. 
• Ability to work as part of a team.  
• A flexible and versatile approach to work. 
• Be physically fit and be able to lift equipment.  
• Knowledge of Health and Safety requirements and responsibilities.  
• Clean valid driving licence.

Personal Qualities:

• Enthusiastic, proactive, and reliable
• Professional and approachable
• Flexible and adaptable
• Committed to supporting the local community

Qualifications (Desirable):

• Manual handling training
• Ride-on mower
• Tractor driving
• Strimmer/brushcutter
• PA1 + PA6 use of pesticides