Parks and Open Spaces Park Keeper
| Posting date: | 27 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £24,090 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 13 February 2026 |
| Location: | Dover, Kent |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Dover District Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | DDC0801 |
Summary
Are you an enthusiastic and reliable grounds maintenance operative?
We are looking for dynamic people to maintain a strategically important park within the district.
Dover District Council has an exciting agenda to deliver first class public services, putting our residents at the heart of everything we do. From building new, affordable homes to exciting regeneration schemes. A career with Dover District Council offers you the opportunity to excel.
As an employer, Dover District Council is proud to provide a supportive, friendly, diverse and flexible working environment in which our employees can thrive. We have a team of enthusiastic employees, delivering services they are passionate about.
The Role & Responsibilities:
Working as part of the Council’s in-house Parks & Open Spaces Team, the role involves the following aspects of maintenance:
Typical daily tasks include unlocking site(s), litter picking, bin emptying, mowing, cleansing, graffiti removal, clearing dog fouling, carrying out routine inspections of specific landscape features, completing inspection forms and reporting defects.
Ensure all tasks and duties are undertaken to the specified standards, complying with legislation, Health & Safety requirements and any equipment manufacturers guidance. Carry out tasks as described in the Council’s safe systems of work, taking particular care to avoid risking injury to members of the public.
The role also includes sports attendance duties at nearby recreation grounds, as required.
Who We Are Looking For
The Park Keeper provides a public face for the Council and therefore must be willing to advise park users and give emergency assistance. The Park Keeper has a security function, due to being present at strategic sites and will report anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, fly tipping, rough sleeping etc to DDC colleagues.
Candidates should have proven experience in grounds maintenance, be competent in using the appropriate power tools where required and be physically fit.
Certificates in spraying (PA1 PA6), Horticulture and Ride on Mowers would be an advantage but not essential.
A full driving licence for a manual geared vehicle is also essential for this role.
As this role involves the use of vibration equipment, any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory medical clearance. We will ask you to complete a medical questionnaire which will be sent to our occupational health medical advisor and as a result of this you may be asked to undergo a medical.
Due to the nature of the role, successful candidates will be required to complete a Basic DBS application as part of pre-employment checks.
What Can We Offer?
We can provide a friendly and supportive environment for you to excel in. We also offer several employee benefits, subject to eligibility criteria, such as:
Benenden Healthcare Membership and Employee Assistance Program
Opt-in Local government pension scheme with the opportunity for staff to make advanced, voluntary contributions (AVCs) to top up their pension
Generous annual leave provision
Discount scheme including reduced membership rates at the local leisure centre
On-site parking (site dependent)
The quality of your application will be considered as part of the recruitment process.
For an alternative format, or to apply using a different method, please contact us.
What Next?
If you would like a further discussion about the post, then please contact Sean Gilmore, Principal Horticultural Officer, at sean.gilmore@dover.gov.ukor 07801400233.
Interviews TBC.
We are looking for dynamic people to maintain a strategically important park within the district.
Dover District Council has an exciting agenda to deliver first class public services, putting our residents at the heart of everything we do. From building new, affordable homes to exciting regeneration schemes. A career with Dover District Council offers you the opportunity to excel.
As an employer, Dover District Council is proud to provide a supportive, friendly, diverse and flexible working environment in which our employees can thrive. We have a team of enthusiastic employees, delivering services they are passionate about.
The Role & Responsibilities:
Working as part of the Council’s in-house Parks & Open Spaces Team, the role involves the following aspects of maintenance:
Typical daily tasks include unlocking site(s), litter picking, bin emptying, mowing, cleansing, graffiti removal, clearing dog fouling, carrying out routine inspections of specific landscape features, completing inspection forms and reporting defects.
Ensure all tasks and duties are undertaken to the specified standards, complying with legislation, Health & Safety requirements and any equipment manufacturers guidance. Carry out tasks as described in the Council’s safe systems of work, taking particular care to avoid risking injury to members of the public.
The role also includes sports attendance duties at nearby recreation grounds, as required.
Who We Are Looking For
The Park Keeper provides a public face for the Council and therefore must be willing to advise park users and give emergency assistance. The Park Keeper has a security function, due to being present at strategic sites and will report anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, fly tipping, rough sleeping etc to DDC colleagues.
Candidates should have proven experience in grounds maintenance, be competent in using the appropriate power tools where required and be physically fit.
Certificates in spraying (PA1 PA6), Horticulture and Ride on Mowers would be an advantage but not essential.
A full driving licence for a manual geared vehicle is also essential for this role.
As this role involves the use of vibration equipment, any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory medical clearance. We will ask you to complete a medical questionnaire which will be sent to our occupational health medical advisor and as a result of this you may be asked to undergo a medical.
Due to the nature of the role, successful candidates will be required to complete a Basic DBS application as part of pre-employment checks.
What Can We Offer?
We can provide a friendly and supportive environment for you to excel in. We also offer several employee benefits, subject to eligibility criteria, such as:
Benenden Healthcare Membership and Employee Assistance Program
Opt-in Local government pension scheme with the opportunity for staff to make advanced, voluntary contributions (AVCs) to top up their pension
Generous annual leave provision
Discount scheme including reduced membership rates at the local leisure centre
On-site parking (site dependent)
The quality of your application will be considered as part of the recruitment process.
For an alternative format, or to apply using a different method, please contact us.
What Next?
If you would like a further discussion about the post, then please contact Sean Gilmore, Principal Horticultural Officer, at sean.gilmore@dover.gov.ukor 07801400233.
Interviews TBC.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.