Operative Level 2 - Parks (Grounds Maintenance)
| Posting date: | 30 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £25,583 per year, pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 06 April 2026 |
| Location: | Torbay |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | SWISCo Limited |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: |
Summary
A vacancy has become available to join our Parks team as an Operative Level 2 – Parks (Grounds Maintenance).
This role is essential to assist in the maintaining of Torbay’s parks, gardens, and green spaces to keep them attractive, safe, and inviting, with a significant focus on watering and caring for our seasonal floral displays throughout the summer months.
You will work within a team of up to five and will receive instructions from a Team Leader, however you will primarily be working alone when watering. This will be overseen by the Parks Team Manager.
Main Purpose of the Role
Your primary responsibility during the summer season is the watering, feeding, and overall care of seasonal bedding, summer baskets, planters, and newly planted trees.
This includes routine watering rounds, deadheading to promote continuous flowering, monitoring plant health, and ensuring that our floral displays remain vibrant and healthy for residents and visitors.
The success of Torbay’s parks and floral displays relies heavily on consistent, thorough watering and is one of the most crucial operational tasks we deliver in the summer months.
Regular Duties Include:
1. Watering and feeding seasonal bedding, planters, newly planted trees, summer
hanging baskets and floral displays.
2. Deadheading, checking plant health, and reporting any issues with irrigation or
plant condition.
3. Strimming, mowing, leaf blowing, hedge cutting, pruning, and maintaining
flower beds as required.
4. Supporting general grounds maintenance across parks and public spaces.
5. Assisting with seasonal planting and preparation of beds and displays.
This is a physical, outdoor role involving work in all weather conditions, manual handling, and operating in environments with potential hazards such as uneven ground, traffic, dogs and insects.
You will receive full PPE and required training and are expected to demonstrate friendly, polite, and helpful behaviour as a representative of SWISCo.
Key Duties
1. Carry out dedicated watering routes and routines, ensuring all bedding,
planters, displays and newly planted trees receive appropriate water and
feed.
2. Monitor plant health, deadhead as required, and report issues promptly to team
leaders.
3. Work collaboratively to maintain strong communication within and between
teams.
4. Follow planned work schedules and respond flexibly to operational needs.
5. Maintain strong health and safety practices at all times.
6. Deliver services within agreed performance timeframes.
7. Attend all required training.
8. Highlight issues impacting performance to line managers.
9. Uphold SWISCo’s “one team” ethos.
10. Provide professional and courteous customer service.
11. Maintain a clean, safe working environment.
12. Drive and operate vans, plant, and small machinery safely.
Essential Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Qualifications
Essential Skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, including alongside other
service areas.
• Effective organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to take instruction and work inclusively.
Essential Knowledge
• Effective knowledge of Health & Safety processes.
• Knowledge of the bay and previous work within horticultural duties, such as
watering.
Experience
• Experience of problem solving to successful outcomes.
• Able to build and maintain trust with colleagues, customers, and the public.
• Previous experience of working in a time critical role and environment.
Essential Qualifications
• Full Driver’s Licence
About Us
SWISCo Limited is responsible for delivering a wide range of environmental and operational services including:
1. Waste & Recycling
2. Highways
3. Parks & Amenities
4. Grounds Maintenance
5. Streetscene
6. Enforcement
7. Business Commercial and Fleet
We also undertake work for other public and private organisations, adding value and improving the cost-effectiveness of services provided on behalf of Torbay Council.
Our mission is “Proud to Make Torbay the best place to live, work and play.”
We proudly deliver outstanding services for our customers, supported by robust HR systems, a commitment to development, and a strong organisational culture.
Application
If this has piqued your interest and you would like more information or wish to apply, please email hrswisco@swisco.co.uk to request an application form and full Job Description.
Please be aware that shortlisting is based on applicants meeting the essential and desirable criteria. We reserve the right to close the advert early, so please submit your application promptly if you wish to be considered.
We are a HM forces friendly employer as recognised by our bronze armed forces covenant award and as such any veteran who meets the essential criteria will be offered an interview.
SWISCo is a limited company wholly owned by, and providing services on behalf of, Torbay Council.
This role is essential to assist in the maintaining of Torbay’s parks, gardens, and green spaces to keep them attractive, safe, and inviting, with a significant focus on watering and caring for our seasonal floral displays throughout the summer months.
You will work within a team of up to five and will receive instructions from a Team Leader, however you will primarily be working alone when watering. This will be overseen by the Parks Team Manager.
Main Purpose of the Role
Your primary responsibility during the summer season is the watering, feeding, and overall care of seasonal bedding, summer baskets, planters, and newly planted trees.
This includes routine watering rounds, deadheading to promote continuous flowering, monitoring plant health, and ensuring that our floral displays remain vibrant and healthy for residents and visitors.
The success of Torbay’s parks and floral displays relies heavily on consistent, thorough watering and is one of the most crucial operational tasks we deliver in the summer months.
Regular Duties Include:
1. Watering and feeding seasonal bedding, planters, newly planted trees, summer
hanging baskets and floral displays.
2. Deadheading, checking plant health, and reporting any issues with irrigation or
plant condition.
3. Strimming, mowing, leaf blowing, hedge cutting, pruning, and maintaining
flower beds as required.
4. Supporting general grounds maintenance across parks and public spaces.
5. Assisting with seasonal planting and preparation of beds and displays.
This is a physical, outdoor role involving work in all weather conditions, manual handling, and operating in environments with potential hazards such as uneven ground, traffic, dogs and insects.
You will receive full PPE and required training and are expected to demonstrate friendly, polite, and helpful behaviour as a representative of SWISCo.
Key Duties
1. Carry out dedicated watering routes and routines, ensuring all bedding,
planters, displays and newly planted trees receive appropriate water and
feed.
2. Monitor plant health, deadhead as required, and report issues promptly to team
leaders.
3. Work collaboratively to maintain strong communication within and between
teams.
4. Follow planned work schedules and respond flexibly to operational needs.
5. Maintain strong health and safety practices at all times.
6. Deliver services within agreed performance timeframes.
7. Attend all required training.
8. Highlight issues impacting performance to line managers.
9. Uphold SWISCo’s “one team” ethos.
10. Provide professional and courteous customer service.
11. Maintain a clean, safe working environment.
12. Drive and operate vans, plant, and small machinery safely.
Essential Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Qualifications
Essential Skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, including alongside other
service areas.
• Effective organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to take instruction and work inclusively.
Essential Knowledge
• Effective knowledge of Health & Safety processes.
• Knowledge of the bay and previous work within horticultural duties, such as
watering.
Experience
• Experience of problem solving to successful outcomes.
• Able to build and maintain trust with colleagues, customers, and the public.
• Previous experience of working in a time critical role and environment.
Essential Qualifications
• Full Driver’s Licence
About Us
SWISCo Limited is responsible for delivering a wide range of environmental and operational services including:
1. Waste & Recycling
2. Highways
3. Parks & Amenities
4. Grounds Maintenance
5. Streetscene
6. Enforcement
7. Business Commercial and Fleet
We also undertake work for other public and private organisations, adding value and improving the cost-effectiveness of services provided on behalf of Torbay Council.
Our mission is “Proud to Make Torbay the best place to live, work and play.”
We proudly deliver outstanding services for our customers, supported by robust HR systems, a commitment to development, and a strong organisational culture.
Application
If this has piqued your interest and you would like more information or wish to apply, please email hrswisco@swisco.co.uk to request an application form and full Job Description.
Please be aware that shortlisting is based on applicants meeting the essential and desirable criteria. We reserve the right to close the advert early, so please submit your application promptly if you wish to be considered.
We are a HM forces friendly employer as recognised by our bronze armed forces covenant award and as such any veteran who meets the essential criteria will be offered an interview.
SWISCo is a limited company wholly owned by, and providing services on behalf of, Torbay Council.
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.