Grounds and SuDS Maintenance Operative

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Closing Date & Closing time: 11.59pm, 26 August 2026

Interview Method: Face to Face 

Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action

This role is subject to -

2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.

Qualifications - See About the Candidate

Driving Licence – The successful candidate must always hold a full valid driving licence  as you will be required to drive a vehicle adhering to council regulations.

Manchester City Council is recruiting a Grounds & SuDS Maintenance Operative to help deliver clean, green, safe and climate‑resilient neighbourhoods across the city. This is an exciting new hybrid operational role that combines traditional grounds maintenance with the specialist care of rain gardens, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), highways biodiversity areas and green‑infrastructure drainage features. 

You will play a key part in maintaining Manchester’s growing network of SuDS assets, including rain gardens, tree pits, wildflower areas and refined roadside verges. These features help manage surface water, improve water quality, support biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience across the city.

Alongside this specialist work, you will also contribute to wider grounds maintenance across parks, public realm and neighbourhood greenspaces, supporting integrated delivery with local teams.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Inspecting and maintaining SuDS features, rain gardens and tree pits
• Supporting biodiversity through habitat creation and ecological planting
• Carrying out grass cutting, strimming, edging and general horticultural tasks
• Maintaining planted areas, seasonal displays and wildflower habitats
• Removing weeds, litter and invasive species to keep sites clean and safe
• Sweeping and cleaning hard‑landscape areas, paths and steps
• Working with colleagues, partner services and the public to maintain high standards

About the Candidate

What We’re Looking For

Essential experience and skills include:

• Practical experience in grounds or environmental maintenance
• Ability to carry out SuDS and rain‑garden maintenance tasks
• Understanding of Health & Safety and safe tool use
• Ability to use mobile devices for recording work
• Experience working in highways or public‑realm environments
• Ability to read simple site plans or maintenance schedules
• Experience using horticultural tools and small machinery
• Good communication skills and a positive, team‑focused

• Preferable qualifications include:

  • RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture
  • Lantra Basic Tree Inspection (awareness level)
  • Highway Safety Awareness (e.g., Chapter 8 – Operative level)
  • NPTC/City & Guilds PA1/PA6
  • Introductory SuDS or green‑infrastructure training

About Us

Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city that leads change and improves lives. Whether you’re supporting communities or improving public services, you’ll help create opportunities and shape a better future for everyone

Benefits we offer

• Up to 26 days’ annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years’ service
• Buy up to two extra weeks’ leave
• Up to 3 days’ volunteering leave
• A 35-hour work week for full-time roles
• We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions
• The UK’s largest local government pension scheme
• Enhanced parental and carers leave
• Employee discounts and perks
• Good Employment Charter member

For more information about working for Manchester Council, please visit  Careers - Manchester City Council

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council 

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme 

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirement s for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below :

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term condition
• Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programmes?

When You Join Us 

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly .

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected] .

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. 

Other relevant information 

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. 

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Use of  Artificial Intelligence (AI) Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually  accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been  identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be  withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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