Witney Town Council is seeking an experienced and versatile Maintenance & Grounds Operative to join its Operations team. This is a hands-on role for someone with all-round practical skills who enjoys working outdoors and can work effectively with minimal supervision.
If you can “turn your hand to anything”, take pride in your work, and want to help maintain and improve the town’s public spaces, facilities, and cemeteries, we would like to hear from you.
About the role
You will carry out a wide range of duties across the Council’s estate, including grounds maintenance, building maintenance, horticulture, and cemetery operations (including grave digging). The role involves a high level of customer contact, particularly within cemeteries, so excellent communication skills and a respectful, professional manner are essential.
Key responsibilities include:
- General grounds maintenance across recreation grounds, amenity land, play areas, cemeteries, and the country park
- Cemetery duties including grave excavation, preparation, and ongoing grave maintenance
- Grass cutting, hedge cutting, litter collection, and sports pitch marking
- Maintenance of fine turf areas including cricket squares and bowling greens
- Tree work, planting schemes, and floral displays
- Minor building maintenance, repairs, and painting
- Operating vans, plant, machinery, and towing trailers
- Supporting town events such as Remembrance Sunday and the Christmas Lights Switch-On
- Working safely at all times in accordance with health and safety procedures
About you
You will be a flexible, reliable team player who enjoys working outdoors in all weather conditions and is capable of working independently.
Essential requirements:
- Full, clean UK driving licence
- Physically capable of undertaking manual work
- Good knowledge of general building maintenance and grounds care
- Ability to work without close supervision
- Willingness to work occasional evenings, weekends, and out-of-hours call-outs
- Excellent customer care and communication skills
Desirable:
- At least 2 years’ experience in a maintenance or grounds role
- Experience towing trailers
- Relevant qualifications or training (e.g. first aid, chainsaw, plant operation, trade skills)
- Experience working in cemeteries or maintaining play areas
What we offer
- Competitive local government salary
- Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme (subject to eligibility)
- 24 days annual leave rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure day
- Sick pay
- On-site parking
- Supportive working environment
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
How to apply
Please download an application pack from
www.witney-tc.gov.uk
CVs alone will not be accepted.
Applicants invited to interview will be required to bring their full driving licence and proof of right to work.
Closing date for applications: 11 September 2026
Interviews: week commencing 21 September 2026
Enquiries to: [email protected]
Witney Town Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title: MAINTENANCE & GROUNDS OPERATIVE
Reporting to: Operations Manager
Responsible for: No direct responsibilities
Hours: 37 hours per week
Grade/Salary: SCP 9 – 12 - Currently £28,153 to £29,542 per annum
[possible advancement to discretionary SCP 13/14 £30,023 - £30,515]
Location: Based at West Witney Sports Ground Depot
Job Summary:
The post holder will perform general grounds and building maintenance across the Council’s estate, under the supervision of the Senior Maintenance Operative and Operations Manager, ensuring high-quality public service at all times.
Duties:
Cemeteries
- Carry out grave excavation, burial preparation, ceremonial set-up and backfilling in accordance with required standards.
- Accurately support the completion and maintenance of burial records, ensuring they are kept up to date at all times.
- Undertake routine grave maintenance, including topping up soil and removing non-permitted items, communicating sensitively and respectfully with cemetery visitors when required.
Play areas
The Council manages over ten play areas.
- Conduct weekly and quarterly safety inspections of play areas in line with relevant guidance.
- Carry out repairs to play equipment as required.
- Maintain play area surfaces through regular cleaning, repair works and replenishment of loose-fill materials.
Recreation Grounds & Amenity Land
Witney Town Council maintains five recreation grounds across the town, along with numerous areas of amenity land.
- Carry out grass cutting operations using a range of light and heavy plant and machinery.
- Undertake litter and recycling collection duties, including the emptying of dog waste bins and general litter picking.
- Perform hedge cutting and seasonal leaf clearance.
- Mark out sports pitches in accordance with required specifications.
- Set up and dismantle sports equipment for fixtures and events.
- Install and maintain street furniture as required.
Fine Turf
The Town Council is responsible for the full maintenance of two cricket squares and two bowling greens.
- Maintain fine turf areas in accordance with detailed specifications issued by the line manager.
Horticulture
The Town Council takes great pride in the planting and ongoing care of trees and floral displays throughout the town.
- Plant bedding schemes in line with approved layout and planting plans.
- Carry out routine maintenance of flower beds and hanging baskets, including watering and debris removal.
- Undertake cross-cutting, removal and processing of fallen trees and branches.
- Plant and maintain trees, ensuring their ongoing health and condition.
Lake & Country Park
The Town Council owns and manages the lake and country park in Witney, comprising a lake, two extensive meadows, and several additional land parcels.
· Supporting the Biodiversity and Green Spaces officer with a variety of maintenance tasks, including fencing, bank stabilisation, tree works, and habitat creation.
· Maintaining footpaths through vegetation clearance and the installation of new limestone pathways.
Building Maintenance
· Preparing and painting a variety of internal and external surfaces across Council buildings.
· Carrying out minor repairs and assessing additional works, reporting requirements to the Line Manager.
· Completing like-for-like electrical and plumbing installations where considered competent.
· Undertaking deep cleaning tasks beyond the scope of the Council’s cleaning staff.
· Assisting with the set-up of large events and providing caretaking support when required.
Events
· Being available to work at large events, including Remembrance Sunday and the Christmas lights switch-on.
· Setting up and maintaining appropriate safety precautions.
· Safely managing road closures and communicating effectively with residents.
Vehicles & Equipment
· Driving a range of vans of varying sizes and safely securing payloads.
· Towing trailers as required.
· Operating a range of plant equipment on public highways and in confined spaces, requiring a high level of vehicle control.
· Carrying out routine maintenance and minor repairs on Council vehicles, plant, and general equipment, and reporting any defects to the Line Manager.
General
· Taking responsibility for personal conduct, including timekeeping, accident and incident reporting, completion of timesheets, asset and tool management, and ensuring correct use of PPE and uniform.
· Acting as the appointed person for basic first aid, maintaining fully stocked first aid boxes within the Works Department, and holding (or being willing to obtain) the one-day First Aid for the Appointed Person certificate.
· Participating in call-outs and out-of-hours work when required due to vandalism, public safety concerns, or property security issues.
· Responding to members of the public in a professional and courteous manner.
· Maintaining accurate records for vehicles, plant, and personal timesheets.
· Taking part in additional training as identified and demonstrating a commitment to continuous professional development.
· Undertaking any other duties associated with the Council’s operational activities, as directed, that are commensurate with the role.
· Providing instruction and guidance to trainees, temporary staff, volunteers, and work-experience students as required.
Health and Safety
· Maintaining a thorough working knowledge of, and complying with, all Health and Safety legislation, policies, and procedures relevant to the council.
· Taking reasonable care for personal health and safety and that of colleagues, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by work activities.
· Using tools, plant, vehicles, and equipment correctly and in accordance with training, manufacturer’s guidance, and safe systems of work.
· Applying safe working practices to identify, eliminate, or minimise risks of accidents, injury, or damage, ensuring statutory obligations are met at all times.
· Reporting hazards, near misses, accidents, and incidents promptly in line with Council procedures.
· Ensuring the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and compliance with risk assessments and method statements.
Fairness and Dignity at Work
Actively support and adhere to the Council’s Dignity at Work policy, helping to eliminate discrimination and promote a fair, positive, and productive working environment in line with statutory requirements and good employment practice.
This job description is intended to outline the main areas of responsibility for the post holder. Duties may be amended from time to time to meet service needs, without altering the overall level of responsibility associated with the grade of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
· Physically capable of undertaking a wide range of manual and practical duties.
· Willing and able to work in all weather conditions.
· Sound knowledge of general DIY and basic building maintenance skills.
· Good working knowledge of both small and large plant and equipment.
· Basic understanding of domestic or amenity gardening practices, including seeding, mowing, and general grounds maintenance.
· Availability to respond to out-of-hours emergencies if required.
· Holder of a current, full, clean UK driving licence.
· Able to work effectively both as part of a team and independently with minimal supervision.
· Willingness to undertake additional training or gain further work-related qualifications as required.
Desirable
· Previous experience in towing trailers.
· Prior workplace training in Health and Safety subjects, including manual handling, asbestos awareness, and working at height.
· Relevant qualifications or certifications in one or more of the following areas:
o First Aid at Work
o Cross-cutting and chainsaw maintenance
o Woodchipper operation
o Grounds care and related machinery
o Sports pitch line marking
o Heavy plant operation, including 360 excavators, tractor driving, and dumpers
o Trade qualifications such as plumbing, electrical work, welding, carpentry, bricklaying, or painting and decorating
· Any prior experience in cemetery operations and/or play area maintenance
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Post Title: Maintenance & Grounds Operative
Salary Grade: SCP 9 – 12 Currently £27,254 to £28,598 per annum - national pay award pending [with possible advancement to discretionary SCP 13/14 £29,064 - £29,540] -
Place of Employment: West Witney Sports Ground Depot
Hours of Work: 37 hours per week (flexibility is required as some evenings and weekend work will be required, and on-call/call-out)
As part of the Open Space Strategy the Council operates some of its services at weekends there may be a requirement for the post holder to either work at weekends or work additional hours, for which the relevant renumeration will apply.
Employment Status: Permanent
Pay Period: Monthly
Pay Arrangements: Salary will be paid by BACS into a bank or building society account, on or before 25th of the month.
Allowances: Casual user car rates at NJC approved rates.
Annual Leave: 24 working days, rising to 29 working days after 5 years continuous Local Government Service (plus 1 extra statutory day at Christmas) plus Bank Holidays.
Pre-employment checks: Any offer of employment will be subject to two satisfactory references being received (one from the present or previous employer), and satisfactory DBS check
The Council reserves the right to arrange a medical check
Probation Period: Six months
Notice Period: The appointment is subject to one months’ notice on either side
Conditions of Service: Unless specified to the contrary, the National Joint Council for Local Government Services, National Agreement on pay and conditions of service.
Pension Scheme: Employees with a contract of employment for three months or more are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme which is administered on behalf of the Town Council by Oxfordshire County Council. In view of this arrangement the Town Council does not provide a facility for Stakeholder pensions.
Contributions range from 5.5% - 12.5% of whole-time equivalent salary plus pensionable allowances and are assessed annually in accordance with the Council’s Pensions Policy Statement. Further information on the Local Government Pension Scheme available from: https://www.lgpsmember.org/thinking-joining.php
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £28,153.00-£29,542.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
