Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative

Come and make a difference at Karbon as a Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative.

Working outdoors in all weathers across the Karbon footprint covering cyclical maintenance, garden clearances, grass cutting, tree maintenance, litter picking and fly tipping clearance and associated works as directed by the Grounds Maintenance Team Leader. The role requires a good working knowledge of current health and safety, working to specification and time management and an enthusiastic resilient attitude. You’ll be operating and be responsible for a variety of ride on mowers and other horticultural and arboricultural equipment as well as familiarity with operating systems on PDA, supervision and driving an allocated Karbon vehicle.

With relevant experience in a similar role, you’ll have a knowledge of and a strong commitment to customer care as first point of contact and be responsible for ensuring works are completed in line with our service standards as the Lead Operative in a team of three and be able to work as part of a team as well as using your own initiative.

You would be first point of contact with the Team Leader and responsible for ensuring quality of completed works and that all Health and Safety guidance is followed. A full UK driving licence is essential and towing experience would be beneficial.

We’re looking for an experienced Lead Operative to join and support our Grounds Maintenance team in building on an already excellent service, delivered to our customers in a way that promotes high levels of customer focus, performance, safety, and quality, with a strong emphasis on innovation, forward thinking and continuous improvement. Candidates should have a good working knowledge of a modern ground maintenance service and the challenges it faces with experience of improving areas.

You’ll need to be able to follow instructions and interpret site maps whilst also being able to think on your feet. Experience of Ride On Mower operation would be an advantage as would experience of pesticide application and using a PDA. This must all be combined with a strong commitment to excellent customer service and learning and development.

The successful candidate will work in our Grounds Maintenance team led by the Grounds Maintenance Manager. If you’d like further information about the role, please contact Kyle  or Adam

• Lead Grounds Maintenance Operative – Permanent role
• Salary - £27,656 per annum
• Location:
  
  Based in Chester-Le-Street
• Regular travel will be required
• 37 hours per week

We recognise the contribution people with criminal records can make as colleagues and we welcome all applications. A criminal record will not exclude a candidate from being appointed because of offences that are irrelevant to, and do not place them at, or make them a risk in the role they’re applying for. The role you’re applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA).

The successful candidate(s) will be asked to submit a basic disclosure and barring check application during pre-employment checks.

We offer a generous benefits package to support your wellbeing and development, including:

• 26 days annual leave (rising to 31 after 3 years)
• Birthday leave
• Occupational pension
• Health cash plan
• Flexible benefits pot
• Access to funding for qualifications, conferences, and learning events

If this sounds like the role for you, apply now via our website:  or via Indeed. It’s fine to use AI tools for things like polishing grammar or improving formatting—but your CV and supporting statement should still reflect your own skills, experience, and personality, so we do not accept applications that are fully generated by AI without your own input.

Closing date for applications:
Tuesday 20 January 2026.

We may close the advert early if we receive a high volume of strong applications - so don’t wait too long to apply!

TBC

We’re proud to be an inclusive employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria, you’ll be guaranteed an interview. Need a reasonable adjustment to apply? Contact us at

We’re lucky to have a great Preferred Supplier List (PSL) in place, so we’re not looking for additional agency support right now. Thanks for understanding - we’ve got this covered!

• Location:
  
  Chester-Le-Street
• Organization:
  Karbon Homes
• Job Type: Permanent role (salary £27,656 per annum)
• Closing Date: 20/01/2026
• Reference

Would you like to speak to a member of our team? Just submit your details and we will be in touch shortly.