Grounds & Gardens Operative

As part of the Estates team, you'll help ensure our grounds and gardens are maintained safely and effectively throughout the year. You'll be trusted to organise your own workload, work independently and respond flexibly when priorities change.,

• Maintaining and carrying out repairs to the Trust's grounds and gardens.
• Working from a scheduled planned preventative maintenance schedule.
• Planning and organising your own work and schedule.
• Working independently and proactively responding to changing workloads.
• Using tools, equipment and materials safely and accurately.
• Identifying practical solutions to routine equipment and maintenance issues.
• Communicating effectively with colleagues, staff, contractors and other service users.
• Completing required job records, timesheets and other Estates documentation.
• Working in accordance with relevant statutory requirements, British Standards, HTMs, HBNs and Trust policies and procedures.
• Undertaking overtime for emergency repairs when required by management.
• Travelling between Trust sites as required., To work in accordance with the requirements of HTM's, HBN's Model
Specifications, relevant Statutory Regulations, Codes of Practice, British Standards and Trust Policies and Procedures.
• To work in accordance with the requirements of the Trusts gardening services
performing non complex tasks.
• Actively participate in the operation of the Trusts labour control scheme by
working within the scheme including completion of all paperwork required of the scheme. (Including completion of all job dockets and time sheets).
• To work without supervision. Work overtime to carry out emergency repairs as, Maintain and repair health service grounds and gardens.
• To assist other trades as required.
• Frequent requirement to exert heavy physical effort for several long periods i.e.
heavy repairs, lifting and moving equipment.
• Ability to work in unpleasant situations or environments.
• Ability to concentrate for several long periods to carry out required tasks and
address any paperwork required for task.
• May occasionally be required to assist works in areas of uncontrolled hazardous
i.e. gas leak, steam leak, live LV working, bodily fluids and raw sewage.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade. Able to support the
induction of new staff.
• Ability to participate in estates surveys and audits.
• Ability to process own timesheets and job dockets.
• At all times to carry Trust communication device (pagers and /or two-way radio,
mobile phones) to facilitate immediate response to emergencies. Maintenance Responsibilities
• The application of fertilisers and weed killers to selected areas.
• Cutting, rolling, laying and re-seeding of turf areas.
• Maintenance of patio areas.
• The care, use and day to day maintenance of hand tools and mechanical
propelled gardening equipment and report problems to the Estates Officer.
• The day to day hoeing, weeding, planting and pruning as required. The trimming
of hedges, small trees and bushes.
• The cutting, clearing and landscaping of uncultivated areas, as directed.
• The seasonal clearing of fallen leaves and snow and the spreading of salt/grit to
selected areas. Keeping the hospital estates clear of litter, debris etc. as necessary
• Undertake minor repair works and general maintenance activities at the request
of the Facilities Officer.
• To liaise with the Facilities Officer regarding plant or equipment failures and to
request the supply of goods and/or services as necessary.
• Carry out routine planned preventative maintenance inspections in accordance
with Trust procedures.
• To assist cross trades works including electrical and building repairs.
• Complete all report sheets as necessary.
Interprets and follows regulations at all times. Learning, Respect, Delivery, Excellence, Compassion, Improvement
• Immediately notifies the Facilities Officer of any deviation from the regulations.
Assist undertaking installations and/or enabling works., The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Do you enjoy working outdoors and taking pride in creating and maintaining well-kept green spaces? We're looking for a practical and motivated Grounds & Gardens Operative to help maintain the grounds and gardens across our Trust sites. This is a varied, hands-on role where you'll work independently to keep our outdoor spaces maintained to a high standard. You'll play an important part in creating welcoming surroundings for our patients, visitors and colleagues. You'll plan and organise your workload, respond to changing priorities and work safely in accordance with Trust policies and procedures. The role involves travelling between Trust sites, so you'll enjoy variety and the opportunity to work across different locations. If you're proactive, practical and enjoy seeing the results of your work, we'd love to hear from you.,
• Must be able to communicate with a range of staff and clients on non-complex
technical issues.
• Ability to prioritise changing workloads and to act pro-actively to address work
requests in conjunction with the Estates Manager/Estates Officer/Estates Maintenance Team Leader.
• Ability to problem solve equipment and interpret operational manuals to
establish best solution for problems. Ability to understand and comment on maintenance policies.
• Ability to manipulate fine tools and equipment/materials, allowing only a narrow
margin of error. Learning, Respect, Delivery, Excellence, Compassion, Improvement,
• NC/HNC/HND in construction or equivalent.
• Recognised apprenticeship, NVQ Level 3 and above, or equivalent training in Grounds and Gardens Control
• Demonstrate Knowledge and practical experience of grounds and gardens maintenance or a related technical discipline, sufficient to undertake the responsibilities of the post. Experience as a Competent Persson under HTM's
• Knowledge of Grounds and Gardens methodologies and Estates - specific legislation (e.g. HTM and HBN)
• Substantial competence in the post-holder's primary trade within Grounds and Gardens, with the ability to undertake appropriate minor multi-trade tasks within their training, competence and authorisation
• Experience of safe systems of work development
  
  Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.
The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence., Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and most respected NHS teaching trusts, providing world-class healthcare across four hospitals: the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Horton General Hospital and over one hundred satellite sites. Find out more information here OUH at a Glance 2026/27 You'll become part of an organisation at the forefront of patient care, research, education and innovation. You'll have access to excellent learning and development opportunities, work alongside highly skilled multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to services that make a real difference. Our commitment to Delivering Compassionate Excellence is at the heart of everything we do. Guided by our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence, we strive to create an environment where staff feel supported, valued and empowered to thrive. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel and the OneTeamOneOUH - LIVING OUR VALUES video. We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful and safe workplace for everyone. As signatories to the NHS Sexual Safety Charter, we have a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate behaviour and are dedicated to fostering a culture where all colleagues feel welcomed, respected and able to be themselves. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles., Sexual Safety Charter: In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.