[ref. j3810922] Grounds Maintenance Operative - NHS
Job overview
Your NHS needs YOU! We're on the lookout for individuals fuelled by passion, determination, and a desire to contribute. As part of our Estates Grounds and Gardens team, you'll play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of our Trust Estate which requires maintaining 365 days a year.Join our close-knit team and help us deliver top-notch maintenance and repair services, all while making a real difference in our community.
We know it can be scary to take a chance on a new role and this may feel like a big step, but for the right candidates who display all the attributes we are looking for, there will be support available to help with your growth and development.
What are the benefits?- Further training and support including formal pesticide qualifications (PA1 & PA6) and grounds machinery training e.g. ride on mowers.
- Approx £2340 per annum on-call availability payment over the winter (figure based on 13 weeks per year), plus variable overtime and call-out payments.
- Our annual leave entitlement starts at 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service (pro rata).
- NHS Pension.
- Enhanced rates for nights and bank holidays
- Salary sacrifice and high street/online retailer discount schemes
- Uniform/ PPE will be provided
Main duties of the job
Assist and support the Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative /Building Manager in undertaking day-to-day maintenance of all LTH sites, Including:
- Grass cutting using both ride-on and pedestrian equipment.
- Strimming, weeding & scarifying.
- Pruning & hedge cutting using handheld equipment.
- Planting and maintaining of borders including internal courtyards and enhanced garden areas around the hospital sites.
- Winter grounds maintenance including gritting & snow clearing.
In addition to the above you will carry out planned preventative maintenance in accordance with Trust policies, procedures and schedules. You will be responsible for managing your own workload on a day-to-day basis and assist other trades and contractors, in accordance with service need.
Please note that you will be required to obtain a C1 category Driving Licence (self-funded but we can give you time off for training). A C1 driving licence means that you can drive a rigid vehicle up to 7.5 tonnes and tow a trailer up to 750 Kg. So, if you obtain a C1 driving licence category then you can drive a medium-size vehicle over 3,500 kg up to 7,500 kg.
This role is permanent and full time working 37.5 hours per week. Typical shift pattern for 6 month summer season will be 7am-3pm Mon-Fri followed by 6 months Winter season 8am-4pm Mon-Fri with an expectation to work flexibly throughout the seasons.
Working for our organisation
We have 10,000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 370,000 people in our local area & give specialist care to 1.5 million people across Lancashire & Cumbria.
Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients & staff, ensuring we keep thriving & delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.
You’ll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you’d never have done. You’ll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills & enhance your career path.
You’ll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care and enhancing their experience which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- Follow routine maintenance schedules and procedures for the grounds and gardens, vehicles and equipment across all the Hospital sites.
- Carry out planned preventative maintenance in accordance with Trust policies, procedures and schedules.
- Assist and support the Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative /Building Manager in undertaking day-to-day maintenance of the Hospital grounds, in a way which minimises risk to self, others and complies with relevant legislation, policies, procedures.
- Be competent in the use of all relevant tools and equipment and work within safety guidelines current legislation and manufacturers recommendations as necessary for the completion of reactive and planned works.
- Identify and prioritise own workload and actively complete all documentation in a timely manner.
- Assist with operational tasks within the waste recycling complex as and when required.
- On an ad-hoc basis undertake site cleanliness and litter picking duties across all sites.
- Safely and correctly prepare, clean, use and store securely equipment, tools, materials and work areas leaving them in a suitable condition for future use.
- Hold a valid current driving licence and safely and legally drives the Trusts vehicle fleet (Including the towing of trailers) as and when required.
- Actively take part in the on-call rota and attends site at short notice for snow/frost clearance during the months when inclement weather may prevail.
- Keep the sites tidy and generally free from the accumulation of litter, leaves and debris.
- Inspect landscaping, footpaths and trees on a weekly basis to identify defective or dangerous areas and rectify any faults or advise Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative.
- Undertake pesticide spraying in accordance with statutory guidance and regulations.
- Assist and support the Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative/ Building Manager in project work, surveys, and other similar duties.
Person specification
Qualifications and Education
Essential criteria- NVQ level 2 or City & Guilds, certificate in Horticulture or equivalent grounds maintenance qualification OR Substantial experience within a similar commercial grounds’ maintenance role
- Full UK Manual Driving Licence
- Grounds Machinery training
- Approved pesticide application PA1 & PA6 (must be obtained within first 12 months of employment)
- Ride on/Pedestrian mower certificates
- C1 Licence (must be obtained within first 12 months of employment)
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria- Work experience in Horticultural Environments
- Experience understanding and taking instruction and with detailed procedures.
- Experience in a similar role
We’ll contact you by e-mail to update you on the progress of your application so please check the e-mail account that you applied from (including spam/junk) regularly.
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post.Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available Here
To support you in your application process we’ve created a What we can offer you guide that shows what you can expect when you join our hospitals. The guide includes links to our strategic aims and objectives as well as our values, development support and rewards and benefits.To help you get the best from your application we’ve also put together two guides to help you make your application the best it can be. Just click here and here to go through them, or have them open as you complete your application.
We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.
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Supporting Information
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Our recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-life situations.Share work-related successes and challenges you’ve navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.
Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.
Working Smarter pledge
We are reminded everyday of how important life is, so as part of our Working Smarter pledge we offer a variety of flexible working options and wellbeing support to enable our people to find and maintain the right work-life balance.
Secondments
If you are applying for a secondment role please ensure you have agreement from your current line manager prior to attending an interview. Also please ensure you have read the LTHTR Secondment Policy. A copy of this can be found on the intranet or by contacting [email protected]
Young People
Please note a young person must be in part-time education or training until they’re 18. therefore if you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks
If the role you’ve applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered.Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40 Standard DBS check £26.40 and Enhanced DBS check £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check.
DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here.
In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working. This includes mask wearing and adherence to social distancing at all Trust sites.
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We look forward to hearing from you soon!