Full time, part time and job share opportunities will be considered 

What we are looking for

We are looking for Grounds Maintenance Operatives to join our team in Public Realm.  The successful people will share our values, commitment, and motivation to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities. 

About the role

The Public Realm Team are responsible for the day-to-day management of the district councils’ countryside sites and open spaces. These include informal recreational sites, local nature reserves, parks and smaller picnic areas. 

In addition, the team is responsible for council owned play areas, management of the councils’ tree stock, routine grounds maintenance on roadside verges and open spaces within council housing areas as well as keeping the districts clean through litter collection, mechanical sweeping and removing fly tips.

These roles will be based at either our Stowmarket or Sudbury depots and will play a key part in keeping the joint district and our public open spaces clean, tidy and welcoming. 

Delivering a range of grounds maintenance services of a practical and physically demanding nature across council owned parks, play areas, open spaces and communal areas. This will include use of specialised vehicles, machinery and equipment, litter picking, clearing fly-tipped waste and other general cleansing duties. 

The role is for 40 hours per week spread over 5 working days (Monday – Friday) and will include working annualised hours (varied between Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter).

About you

• you will be experienced in grounds maintenance and will need to be passionate about the environment and keen to work with the team to make a difference to local areas; providing a service to residents and visitors alike
• you will enjoy working outside either individually or as part of a team
• you will need to demonstrate your grounds maintenance experience and level of proficiency in a range of tasks (or demonstrate skills you have that could transfer to this role)
• you will need to have the ability to operate grounds maintenance equipment
• you will need to communicate well with members of the public, colleagues and supervisory staff as well as understanding and practicing good customer care
• you will have a pro-active approach and a flexible attitude including undertaking cleansing tasks to meet the operational requirements and seasonal demands of the service
• you will need an awareness of The Health and Safety at Work Act, practice and responsibility
• you will need to demonstrate computer literacy and the ability to use email and mobile devices as well as the ability to maintain accurate work records
• you must hold a full driving licence and hold the relevant qualification to tow a trailer.

About us

Working together across our councils and with our partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, we provide excellent services to our 190,000 residents across Babergh and Mid Suffolk. 

We are proud of the role we play in creating the environment, economy, and communities for our districts. We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work. With picturesque market towns, 60 conservation areas and two National Landscapes within our districts, it is little wonder that we are consistently within the top 50 places to live in the UK.

Benefits of working for us

• Great opportunities for learning and development
• Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 26 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays)
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
• Wellbeing Support Program
• Employee Assist Program
• Health Care Options.

For more information, visit our Employee Benefits page (suffolkjobsdirect.org) and view `The best things about working for Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils (youtube)` to find out what our employees say about working for us.

Our ways of working

Work is what we do, not where we go! We are committed to working in a more Hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business needs permitting). This has worked well for us and is something we will be continuing with.

We are committed to supporting equality and diversity, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils provide opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible service for our residents.

For more information

If you wish to discuss the hybrid working approach for this role, or for an informal discussion, please contact Stephanie Christou by emailing: [email protected]

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf) before applying for this job opportunity.

Closing date: 5pm, 28 January 2025.

When applying, please ensure: 

• Please ensure that you complete the application form as fully as possible with your employment and educational history as shortlisting will be based upon the application form and supporting statement only.
• In your application, please ensure your statement indicates how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the Job Description/Person Specification.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.