Estate Service Operative

Job Title: Estate Service Operative
Contract Type: Permanent 
Salary: £26,283.24 per annum
Working Hours: 35 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
Location: Milwall, London

If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.

The difference you will make as a Grounds Maintenance Operative 

You will attend various sites owned and managed by the riverside group for the purpose of maintaining and monitoring communal garden spaces.

About you

We are looking for someone with.

• To be fully competent.
• Knowledge of gardening methods.
• Knowledge of gardening tool and product selection.

Why Riverside?

At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives. 

We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.

Working with us, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay & generous pension 
• 28 days holidays plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options available
• Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
• A wide range of benefits

Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside: 

We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues. 

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Role Profile

• Gardening duties including power lawn mowing, shrub trimming, bed work including planting, edging and digging, weeding, weed control, litter picking and occasional dog waste removal. 
• Clearance of bulk waste from sites if not delegated to bulk waste team.
• Reporting of matters from site to management. These include health and safety concerns, and any issues affecting the exterior maintenance of site.
• Maintaining the good relationship of the riverside group with their residents and colleagues.
• Occasional cover for other staff members due to sickness or holidays etc. This may include extra duties from time to time.
• Not Applicable except in circumstances where a work colleague is in danger of injuring themselves, damaging vehicles and equipment or engaging in any activity detrimental to the business.
• Good team skills required to work with colleagues and take instructions from them.
• Polite and co-operative demeanour necessary to work effectively together.
• On site relationships with clients and residents must be polite, courteous and respectful at all times.
• All equipment, materials, vehicles, credit and fuel cards and uniforms.
• Grounds maintenance is very physical work, with lifting, bending and some use of heavy equipment necessary each day. Reaching lifting and bending etc.
• Any gardening tasks work is seasonal and extremely busy during peak growing periods. The duties involve dealing with unpleasant issues from time to time including household rubbish and dog fouling etc.
• Inclement weather to be expected and work will continue in all but the most extreme conditions.
• Use of powered equipment and both garden and cleaning implements carriers a degree of risk. These are covered by out health and safety policy, guidelines, method statements and provision of PPE. Potential for residents/passerby at some sites to be abusive. Antisocial behaviours can be anticipated at times.
• The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not exhaustive. The jobholder may be required to undertake other duties that may be required from time to time within the general scope of the position. Any such duties should not substantially change the general character of the job. Duties and responsibilities outside of the general scope of this level of job will be with the consent of the jobholder.
• The jobholder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the Company Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Person specification

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

Essential

• Knowledge of gardening methods.
• Knowledge of gardening tools and product selection.
• Knowledge and experience of powered equipment including mowers, brush cutters and hedge trimmers plus hand tools.
• Essential to comply with H&S.
• Appropriate competency based training and experience.
• Knowledge and experience of correct use of PPE.
• Competence and knowledge of risk perception including risk to passers by during operations.
• Ideal candidates will possess PA1/PA6 weed spraying certificates.
• Driving licence is essential.