Join Our Team – Grounds Maintenance Trainee

Location: St Andrews Parish, Swindon

Hours: 37 per week

Salary: £15,392.00 – £24,456.04 per annum (depending on age and applicable National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage requirements

Do you take pride in creating and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces? We're looking for a dedicated Grounds Maintenance Trainee to join our team at St Andrews Parish Council. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience while receiving full training in grounds maintenance.

What you'll be doing:

• Mowing, strimming, hedge cutting and planting.
• Keeping our parks and public spaces clean through litter picking and emptying bins
• Inspecting and maintaining play areas.
• Learning to operate grounds maintenance machinery and hand tools.
• Working as part of a friendly team to keep our green spaces looking their very best.

We're looking for someone who is:

• Enjoys working outdoors in all weather.
• Is reliable, motivated and eager to learn.
• Can work well as part of a team.
• Holds a full UK driving licence.

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 Trainee
Location: St Andrews Parish, Swindon
Job Type: Permanent
Hours: Monday – Thursday 7.30am-4.00pm and Friday 7.30am- 12.30pm
37 Hours
Salary: £14,525.90 - £23,491.98
Responsible to: Operations Manager

Role Purpose
The Grounds Maintenance Trainee will assist in the general maintenance and upkeep of the parish’s green spaces, play areas, and public areas. This includes litter collection, play area maintenance, grass cutting, hedge and shrub trimming, and other landscaping tasks. The role involves the use of a variety of tools and machinery, with full training provided. The postholder will work as part of a team to maintain the parish’s high standard of grounds maintenance.

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.
• 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 and the reading of plans 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 Supervisor or 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:

• Full UK driving licence (or working towards passing driving test).
• Ability to carry out physical work, including bending, stretching, lifting, and carrying. Basic mathematical ability for measuring and calculating materials.
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Ability to work as part of a team and follow instructions.

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