Grounds Maintenance Operator

Preston, England, United Kingdom

6/26/2025

Salary - £25,526

Work Type - Onsite

Job Location - Walton le Dale Wastewater Treatment Works, Winery Lane, Walton-Le-Dale, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 4AR

Role Type - Permanent

Employment Type - Full Time

Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes
  
  

Job Purpose

As a Grounds Maintenance Operative, you will be responsible for carrying out scheduled maintenance tasks across various sites, ensuring all work is accurately recorded in the corporate system. Your duties will include operating and conducting daily checks on a range of powered and non-powered equipment, such as vehicles, ride-on mowers, and handheld tools. You will also perform minor remedial work on non-asset features like paving flags, in line with your training and competence. Adherence to Health and Safety regulations and internal policies is essential, as is the identification of site improvement opportunities and winter work needs. Additionally, you will collaborate closely with process and network teams and handle the application of pesticides safely and effectively.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

You will be accountable for undertaking grounds maintenance activities on a variety of sites to a schedule provided and recording the work completed on a corporate system. You will also be accountable for:

• Operating and performing daily checks on a variety of powered and non-powered plant, tools and equipment including vehicles, ride on mowers and small hand held tools
• Carrying out minor remedial work on non-assets (e.g. paving flags), appropriate to the level of competence and training.
• Adhering to Health and Safety requirements and to complying with regulations and internal company policy.
• Identifying any site standards improvements and winter work during the scheduled visits.
• Working closely with the process and network teams while on their sites.
• Application and handling of pesticides.
  
  

Technical Skills & Experience

In order to succeed in this role you will need to have the ability to demonstrate practical experience of Grounds Maintenance in an outdoor environment and be able to demonstrate practical experience in using grounds maintenance machinery such as ride on mowers, walk behind mowers, strimmers, blowers and hedge cutters. You will also have the following:

• A full UK driving license.
• Ability to plan activities on a variety of sites to a schedule provided.
• Excellent communication skills in order to liaise with a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to risk assess dynamically.
  
  

This role may not be eligible for the visa sponsorship

Qualifications

• Hold accredited Grounds Maintenance qualifications e.g. Lantra, City & Guilds, NPTC etc.
• Pesticide Application PA1 & PA6.
  
  

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.