Grounds Maintenance Operative

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are hiring a Grounds Maintenance Operative for our Public Realm team based at the Sudbury Chilton Depot, Alexandra Road, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2XH
.

Salary: £27,694 – £31,022 per annum (plus contractual overtime).

Hours:

40 hours per week (37 hours + 3 contractual overtime hours).

Contract:

Permanent.

We are looking for a motivated Grounds Maintenance Operative to join our Grounds Maintenance Crew within our Public Realm team. If you share our values and our motivation to make a difference for our residents, clients and communities, we would love to hear from you.

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

This role is based at our Sudbury Chilton Depot and plays a vital part in maintaining the cleanliness, tidiness and overall appeal of the joint district’s public open spaces.

You will be responsible for delivering a variety of grounds maintenance services, which are practical and physically demanding. These services will be carried out across council‑owned parks, play areas, open spaces and communal areas, and will involve the use of specialised vehicles, machinery and equipment. Duties also include litter picking, clearing fly‑tipped waste and other general cleansing tasks.

This is a full‑time role of 40 hours per week, worked over five days (Monday–Friday). The position operates on an annualised hours basis, with working hours varying between the Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter seasons.

We are looking for someone with experience in grounds maintenance who is passionate about the environment and eager to contribute to making local areas cleaner, greener and more welcoming for residents and visitors alike. You will enjoy working outdoors, whether independently or as part of a team.

• Experience in grounds maintenance and proficiency in a range of related tasks, or transferable skills that suit the role.
• Ability to operate grounds maintenance equipment safely and effectively.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage positively with the public, colleagues and supervisors, and a commitment to good customer care.
• A proactive and flexible approach, including a willingness to undertake cleansing tasks to meet operational and seasonal service demands.
• Awareness of Health and Safety legislation, practices and personal responsibility.
• Basic computer literacy, including the ability to use email and mobile devices.
• Ability to maintain accurate records of work completed.
• A full driving licence and the appropriate qualification to tow a trailer.

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the qualifications and experience outlined in the person specification as well as those with some relevant experience and a strong desire to learn and grow within the role.

• Generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years).
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs.
• Private Health Care options.
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (business needs permitting).
• Great learning and development opportunities.

We believe work is what we do, not just where we go. We work in a hybrid way, with a mix of office, home and remote based working (business need permitting). Our hybrid working arrangements support flexibility and collaboration, helping our teams to thrive.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, providing opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible services for our residents.

For an informal discussion please contact Mike Hooper by either calling or emailing mike.hoo
. Please read the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf) before applying for this job opportunity.

5pm, 18 March 2026.

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.