Grounds Maintenance Operative (2 posts available) - Hardley Depot at New Forest District Council, Hardley

Love the Outdoors? Join Our Grounds Maintenance Team!

Do you thrive working in the fresh air and enjoy seeing the results of your hard work? We’re looking for a passionate and committed individual to join our Grounds Maintenance Team based at our Hardley depot, serving beautiful locations across the district.

As part of this friendly, hands-on team, you’ll help keep our outdoor spaces looking their best all year round. Your work will include:

• Grass cutting and hedge trimming
• Shrub and formal planting maintenance
• Soft landscaping projects
• Cemetery grounds
• A variety of horticultural & other tasks

What Makes This Role Special?

You won’t be stuck in one place! No two days are the same.

We work in variety of stunning and varied outdoor environments including public green spaces, woodlands, coastal areas & gardens.

If you’re motivated, take pride in high standards, and enjoy working to clear schedules, this is the role for you.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience: A background in Grounds Maintenance or similar role
• Driving: Full UK driving licence
• Desirable: PA1 & PA6 herbicide certification, NVQ Level 1 or equivalene

What’s in It for You?

As part of our commitment to being a supportive and people‑centred employer, we offer a range of benefits designed to help you thrive both in and outside of work: 

• £26,242 - £28,284 per annum
• 23 days leave plus bank holidays, rising by an additional week’s leave after 5 years of continuous local authority service
• Local Government Pension Scheme, with the option of Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)
• Employee Assistance Programme offering free 24/7 legal, financial, and personal wellbeing advice
• Employee discount scheme with savings across major supermarkets, retailers, restaurants, and leisure providers
• Cycle to Work Scheme, helping you save around 40 percent on bikes and accessories
• A values‑led organisation, guided by our LEAF values (Learning, Empathy, Ambition, Fairness)
• Access to learning and development opportunities to support your growth
• A supportive, inclusive culture, where everyone is welcomed and valued

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and offer a range of active staff networks, including:

• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Group
• LGBTQ+ Network
• Women’s Network
• Early Careers Network
• Neurodiversity Network

About us

At NFDC we recognise that every colleague - whether in operational, frontline, or office‑based roles - plays a vital part in delivering high‑quality services to our communities. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where people feel valued for the work they do and the strengths they bring.

We aim to foster a culture where people feel confident to share ideas, contribute their expertise, and develop through meaningful conversations with their managers and supported learning opportunities. Whilst we have our corporate values, LEAF Learning Empathy Ambition Fairness, we understand that different teams work in different ways, and we want our values to be lived in ways that make sense locally while staying true to our shared purpose as an organisation.

We want colleagues to thrive, which is why we promote wellbeing, balance, and opportunities for learning and progression. Our values guide how we work together and how we support each other to be confident, capable, and adaptable.

Click here to see why employees think that New Forest District Council is a great place to work: Working for NFDC

Please note: You’ll likely be aware that there is a government mandate to deliver Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) to Hampshire and the Solent region, meaning a transition into a new operating structure from an agreed future date. This transition is currently paused following a recent government announcement, but it is important that applicants understand how this may affect their employment should they be successful. You will find attached a useful LGR update sheet at top of this advert.

If you’re interested

Please see the candidate booklet for more information about working at the Council and the job description.

If you are passionate about making a difference, committed to delivering excellent public services, and looking for a place where you can develop and continue to grow, we would be delighted to receive your application.

For an informal chatabout the role please contact: (url removed)

We understand that some applicants may choose to use AI tools to assist with completing their application. Please bear in mind it’s important that your application remains an accurate and honest reflection of your own skills, experience, and achievements. Please ensure that any content generated or supported by AI truly represents you and your capabilities, as this will form the basis of our assessment throughout the recruitment process

This post requires an Enhanced DBS check to be completed. You must include details and dates of ‘spent’ convictions, cautions and reprimands and final warnings.

Closing date: 11pm Sunday 8th November 2026

Interview date: Monday 16th November 2026