Open Spaces Officer
| Posting date: | 23 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £14.00 per hour |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 22 April 2026 |
| Location: | Aylesham, Canterbury |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Aylesham Parish Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Main Purpose of Role
The overall purpose of this job is to effectively carry out duties under the instruction of the Deputy Officer on the public areas of the Parish that the Council have primary responsibility for maintaining, ensuring Council assets are maintained in a good state of repair throughout.
Buildings and Equipment
• Maintenance and cleanliness of Council shed.
• Routine maintenance of equipment and buildings
• Carry out minor repairs and works within the Parish where required
• Reading of water meters on a regular basis and reporting reading to the Deputy Officer.
• Maintain all equipment, arranging routine servicing and inspection as required.
• Own health and safety including proper use of safety clothing and equipment.
Maintenance of open spaces and recreation grounds including:
• Repair all areas of damaged and degraded turf, including but not restricted to playing fields and grass areas that are the responsibility of the Council.
• Maintain all trees (tree cutting), shrubs and hedges that are the responsibility of the Council, particularly where they overhang adjoining property and children’s play areas, to prevent injury and damage and to facilitate machinery access. Planting out new shrubs, hedges and trees.
• Pathway clearance and edging.
• Apply weed killer, fertiliser and grass seed and soil preparations when required to all relevant locations including but not restricted to open grass areas, footpaths, playing fields, and other grass areas maintained by the Council in accordance with the schedule of works provided.
• Remove self-set trees, shrubs and harmful weeds that are poisonous to animals, or can damage crops if they spread as appropriate (i.e. Common Ragwort).
• Keep all areas, flower beds, public spaces, playgrounds and leisure equipment within the Parish (that Council oversee) free from litter.
• Assist in organising and attend Parish litter pick events.
• Remove graffiti from any surface within areas maintained by the Council.
• Apply preservative treatments (including painting) to all fencing, benches, tables and other surfaces as required; and lubricate all locks and gate hinges.
• Complete basic repair and maintenance tasks on, and minor installations and additions to the Council’s property assets (including but not restricted to fences, sheds, walls, railings, gates, signs, plating, drainage and water distribution systems, children’s play equipment, and play area safety surfaces).
• Clean and apply anti-mould treatments to all children’s play area safety surfaces, commemorative plaques, and signs maintained by the Council.
• Annual renovation programme.
• Safely remove non-hazardous litter and fly-tipped waste using appropriate PPE and equipment.
• Apply ‘road salt’ in icy weather to footpaths controlled by the Council.
• Conduct weekly inspections and reports of play and outdoor sports equipment.
Maintenance of Community Assets, including:
• Play and sports equipment (also weekly checks)
• Benches and tables
• Fences
• Noticeboards
• Signs
• Heritage and War memorials
Keep accurate records of work undertaken
Liaison with members of the public, users of facilities etc:
• Provide access to locked areas of Council property by appointment.
• Assist residents in the reporting of issues to the Parish Council or relevant Local Authority.
• Such other duties within the range and scope of the job as may be required from time to time.
Qualifications and Experience
• Current Full UK driving licence
• This role will require a full DBS application.
Appropriate qualifications or experience in:
• Maintenance of open spaces/recreation grounds
• Gardening or maintenance, such as tree-felling, landscaping, fencing, small works, building or other suitable trade.
• An understanding of Health and Safety and other issues surrounding children’s and adult play equipment.
Skills
• Good social skills
• Ability to manage own workload punctually and be able to follow a routine, where work requires periodic inspections or checking to take place.
• Able to complete standard forms to record work carried out on a regular basis (such as timesheets, inspections/testing documentation).
• Be competent in the use of a smart phone
• Basic computer competence
• Tool and equipment maintenance
Other
• Be legally able to work in the UK
• Have positive “can do” attitude to solving problems, enjoys working outdoors in all weathers and takes pride in work done.
• Meticulous, thorough and systematic and reliable.
• Have due respect to other people’s property, whilst being objective and even-handed
• Willing to learn new skills and not afraid to ask for guidance from the Deputy Officer if unsure what to do.
• Willing to take on other tasks outside the normal scope of work if required.
• Willing to undertake training when necessary.
Other Provisions
• Vehicle Use: The postholder will be required to use their own vehicle for Council business. Mileage will be reimbursed for authorised journeys in accordance with the Council’s approved mileage allowance policy.
• The postholder must hold a valid full driving licence and ensure that their vehicle is roadworthy, appropriately insured for business use, taxed, and subject to a valid MOT (where required). Evidence of licence, insurance, and MOT will be required and must be maintained throughout employm
The overall purpose of this job is to effectively carry out duties under the instruction of the Deputy Officer on the public areas of the Parish that the Council have primary responsibility for maintaining, ensuring Council assets are maintained in a good state of repair throughout.
Buildings and Equipment
• Maintenance and cleanliness of Council shed.
• Routine maintenance of equipment and buildings
• Carry out minor repairs and works within the Parish where required
• Reading of water meters on a regular basis and reporting reading to the Deputy Officer.
• Maintain all equipment, arranging routine servicing and inspection as required.
• Own health and safety including proper use of safety clothing and equipment.
Maintenance of open spaces and recreation grounds including:
• Repair all areas of damaged and degraded turf, including but not restricted to playing fields and grass areas that are the responsibility of the Council.
• Maintain all trees (tree cutting), shrubs and hedges that are the responsibility of the Council, particularly where they overhang adjoining property and children’s play areas, to prevent injury and damage and to facilitate machinery access. Planting out new shrubs, hedges and trees.
• Pathway clearance and edging.
• Apply weed killer, fertiliser and grass seed and soil preparations when required to all relevant locations including but not restricted to open grass areas, footpaths, playing fields, and other grass areas maintained by the Council in accordance with the schedule of works provided.
• Remove self-set trees, shrubs and harmful weeds that are poisonous to animals, or can damage crops if they spread as appropriate (i.e. Common Ragwort).
• Keep all areas, flower beds, public spaces, playgrounds and leisure equipment within the Parish (that Council oversee) free from litter.
• Assist in organising and attend Parish litter pick events.
• Remove graffiti from any surface within areas maintained by the Council.
• Apply preservative treatments (including painting) to all fencing, benches, tables and other surfaces as required; and lubricate all locks and gate hinges.
• Complete basic repair and maintenance tasks on, and minor installations and additions to the Council’s property assets (including but not restricted to fences, sheds, walls, railings, gates, signs, plating, drainage and water distribution systems, children’s play equipment, and play area safety surfaces).
• Clean and apply anti-mould treatments to all children’s play area safety surfaces, commemorative plaques, and signs maintained by the Council.
• Annual renovation programme.
• Safely remove non-hazardous litter and fly-tipped waste using appropriate PPE and equipment.
• Apply ‘road salt’ in icy weather to footpaths controlled by the Council.
• Conduct weekly inspections and reports of play and outdoor sports equipment.
Maintenance of Community Assets, including:
• Play and sports equipment (also weekly checks)
• Benches and tables
• Fences
• Noticeboards
• Signs
• Heritage and War memorials
Keep accurate records of work undertaken
Liaison with members of the public, users of facilities etc:
• Provide access to locked areas of Council property by appointment.
• Assist residents in the reporting of issues to the Parish Council or relevant Local Authority.
• Such other duties within the range and scope of the job as may be required from time to time.
Qualifications and Experience
• Current Full UK driving licence
• This role will require a full DBS application.
Appropriate qualifications or experience in:
• Maintenance of open spaces/recreation grounds
• Gardening or maintenance, such as tree-felling, landscaping, fencing, small works, building or other suitable trade.
• An understanding of Health and Safety and other issues surrounding children’s and adult play equipment.
Skills
• Good social skills
• Ability to manage own workload punctually and be able to follow a routine, where work requires periodic inspections or checking to take place.
• Able to complete standard forms to record work carried out on a regular basis (such as timesheets, inspections/testing documentation).
• Be competent in the use of a smart phone
• Basic computer competence
• Tool and equipment maintenance
Other
• Be legally able to work in the UK
• Have positive “can do” attitude to solving problems, enjoys working outdoors in all weathers and takes pride in work done.
• Meticulous, thorough and systematic and reliable.
• Have due respect to other people’s property, whilst being objective and even-handed
• Willing to learn new skills and not afraid to ask for guidance from the Deputy Officer if unsure what to do.
• Willing to take on other tasks outside the normal scope of work if required.
• Willing to undertake training when necessary.
Other Provisions
• Vehicle Use: The postholder will be required to use their own vehicle for Council business. Mileage will be reimbursed for authorised journeys in accordance with the Council’s approved mileage allowance policy.
• The postholder must hold a valid full driving licence and ensure that their vehicle is roadworthy, appropriately insured for business use, taxed, and subject to a valid MOT (where required). Evidence of licence, insurance, and MOT will be required and must be maintained throughout employm