Parks Operative (Parks North & South)

Title: Parks Operative

Location: Ballyearl Parks

Rate of Pay: £13.69

Duration: 3 Months

Our Client, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, is seeking five Parks Operatives to join its Parks Service team

Main Purpose of the Role

To undertake grounds maintenance, horticultural, and environmental maintenance duties across Council parks, open spaces, sports facilities, cemeteries, woodlands, and public areas. The role involves operating vehicles and equipment, maintaining high standards of presentation and safety, and supporting the effective delivery of Parks Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate and carry out daily checks on vehicles, machinery, tools, and plant equipment required for grounds maintenance activities.
• Undertake routine grounds maintenance including grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting, pruning, leaf collection, weed control, watering, and litter removal.
• Maintain sports pitches, synthetic playing surfaces, parks, cemeteries, allotments, woodlands, and open spaces.
• Carry out horticultural tasks including planting, turf laying, seeding, and the application of fertilisers and herbicides.
• Ensure public areas are clean, safe, and well maintained, including sweeping, gritting, snow clearance, and hazard removal.
• Complete daily records, inspections, and defect reporting in accordance with Council procedures.
• Provide excellent customer service when dealing with members of the public and report issues to supervisors.
• Assist with Council events, cemetery operations, building maintenance, and other service requirements as needed.
• Adhere to all Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Work flexibly, including occasional overtime, weekends, emergency response duties, and adverse weather operations.

General Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively as part of the Parks team.
• Deliver a high standard of customer service.
• Comply with Council policies relating to health and safety, wellbeing, safeguarding, equality, and diversity.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role and support other Council services during emergencies where required.

Essential Criteria

• Full current driving licence (or provisional licence with willingness to obtain a full licence and C1+E entitlement within 9 months).
• Willingness to obtain a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and NVQ Level 1 in Amenity Horticulture within agreed timescales (funded by the Council).

Experience

• Experience working as part of a team.
• At least 6 months' experience in horticultural, grounds maintenance, landscaping, or similar outdoor maintenance work.
• Experience dealing with members of the public.

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of grass cutting, grounds maintenance, and horticultural practices.
• Understanding of Health and Safety requirements.
• Positive attitude with a flexible and reliable approach.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and follow procedures.

Other Requirements

• Good level of physical fitness and ability to undertake manual outdoor work.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions.
• Willingness to work overtime, weekends, early mornings, and rotational shifts as required.

Desirable

• Full C1+E driving licence.
• Qualification in professional grass-cutting equipment.
• PA1 and PA6A pesticide application qualifications.
• Traffic Management/Roadworks qualification.
• NPTC Chainsaw qualification.

If you are interested, please upload your CV to the link provided, and Mia Taylor will be in contact to confirm if you have been shortlisted.

[email protected]

Successful candidates may need to apply for an Access NI Certificate with Staffline regardless of if you already have a valid certificate.

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