Grounds Maintenance Operative (Gardens)


Company:	Edge Hill University
Salary:	from £24,699 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Ormskirk, L39 4QP
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	22 Oct 2026
Closing date:	5 Nov 2026

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Summary

We’re here to create and harness knowledge, to deliver opportunity for everyone.

About the Role

A Grounds Maintenance Operative you will play a practical, visible role in keeping Edge Hill University’s award-winning campus welcoming, safe and looking its best throughout the year. Working within Facilities Management, you will maintain the University’s grounds, gardens, landscaped areas and external sports facilities to consistently high standards.

Your work will be varied and hands-on. You will carry out planting, pruning, hedge trimming, grass cutting, weeding and seasonal maintenance, alongside litter picking, jet washing and general external cleaning. You will safely use equipment such as pedestrian and ride-on mowers, strimmers and hedge trimmers, with appropriate training provided. You will also support winter gritting and snow clearance, event preparation, driving duties and, when required, sports-ground maintenance.

This is a campus-based role where your work will make a direct difference to the daily experience of students, colleagues and visitors.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to redeployment, this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified.

For informal enquiries about this vacancy, please contact: Neil Toner, Grounds Manager at tonern@edgehill.ac.uk.

About You

As Grounds Maintenance Operative you will be comfortable undertaking practical, physically active work outdoors in all weather conditions and will take pride in completing tasks safely and to a high standard. You will be able to follow work schedules, respond to instructions and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

You will bring a strong commitment to health and safety, excellent customer care and respectful communication. You should be willing to learn how to use grounds-maintenance machinery safely and complete routine administration, including safety checks and daily work logs, using IT or mobile devices.

Experience of horticulture, grounds maintenance, landscaping, machinery operation or a similar practical environment would be valuable. Most importantly, you will be reliable, adaptable and motivated to help maintain a clean, attractive and inclusive campus environment.

Rewards & Benefits

A minimum of 35 days annual leave per annum, (inclusive of bank holiday and University closure days)

Discounted membership to our onsite state-of-the-art sport and leisure facilities

Staff benefits scheme, which provides you with discounts across the high street, supermarket shopping, cinema tickets, dining out and more.

Employee assistance programme with access to free confidential counselling sessions, legal & financial advice, and health & wellbeing resources

A wide range of development programmes to enhance your career

Beautiful award-winning on-campus working environment.

Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme

About Us

At Edge Hill University we believe in the life changing opportunities knowledge can create. Since 1885, we’ve been creating access to knowledge for those who may not have had the opportunity to before.

Today, the effect we have has a far-reaching impact, not just for those who come to study here but for those who work, invest in, and live in our local communities too. So, if you’ve ever wondered if one person can make a difference, simply speak to our alumni, students, and award-winning staff.

Because for us education isn’t about how much you take in. It’s about what you take out into the world.

Inspiring minds and changing futures since 1885, Edge Hill University is “A great success story… an institution that improves and impresses year after year” – Times Higher Education.

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About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.