Title:  Grounds Maintenance Operative

Sanctuary provide in-house repairs and maintenance services for an extensive portfolio of properties across Sanctuary organisations.  As part of a not-for-profit organisation, we aim to achieve outstanding results for our customers based on our values - working in an open and transparent way, creating strong partnerships with our customers and providing a first-class customer service.

Grounds Maintenance Operative

Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire

£25,400 - £26,737 per year

40 hours per week - Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4pm

We have an opportunity for a Grounds Maintenance Operative to join our team based in Ashton under Lyne, to provide support to ensure an effective grounds maintenance service that meets the agreed specification of work. This role sits within our Property Services division, which is responsible for delivering a high quality and cost-effective property repairs, compliance and installation and estate services across the UK to mainly internal clients and additionally a small number of external clients. It is also responsible for operational Health and Safety of the service, including fire safety and delivering effective group wide asset management and reinvestment programmes.

The role of Grounds Maintenance Operative will include:

• Maintaining estates, applying basic horticultural practices
• Providing accurate and timely information on progress and advice and ensuring accurate daily work records are completed
• Responding positively to complaints and breakdowns in service delivery to meet customer expectations and escalate complaints as appropriate
• Ensuring tools and equipment are maintained in good condition and continue to be suitable for required tasks
• Using equipment and materials in a safe manner, as instructed and in accordance with risk assessment and method statements and the manufacturer’s guidance
• Carrying out all hazardous tasks such as spraying, ensuring relevant records are maintained to comply with health and safety and legal requirements

Skills and experiences:

• Literacy and numeracy equivalent to grade C GCSE English and Maths
• Pesticide Application Certificate PA1 – PA6 (or equivalent) or willing to work towards
• Recent experience of undertaking a similar role and some practical experience of operating machinery
• Some experience interpreting written instruction and maintaining simple written records
• Good understanding of written and spoken English and good communication skills
• This role will involve driving on company business. In order to drive a company vehicle, drivers must hold a full valid UK driving licence

About us

We provide in-house repairs and maintenance for a wide range of properties, as part of a not-for-profit organisation. We foster a diverse and inclusive culture. Our customers are at the heart of all we do, and colleagues help make a real difference to people’s lives.

Our Benefits    

As part of our commitment to making Sanctuary a great place to work, where your wellbeing is of genuine importance, we have developed an attractive employment package. The package recognises your contribution, supports your physical, mental and financial health and gives you the flexibility to tailor your employee benefits by offering:

• 25 days annual leave plus public holidays
• A pension scheme with employer contributions from Sanctuary
• Life Assurance
• Employee Advice Service including counselling
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Voluntary health plans  
• Employee discounts
• Wellbeing support and tools
• Employee recognition scheme
• Employee Networks, with a shared interest in inclusion, and who provide invaluable support to colleagues
• £25,400 per annum (rising to £26,737 per annum after 12 months, subject to satisfactory performance)

For more information please click here

View the job profile (if the link is unavailable please visit the Sanctuary careers website)    

Closing Date: 15 December 2025

If you're unsure about any details, have questions about the role or want to discuss a need for adjustments, our fantastic talent team will be happy to help you – propertyservices.rec@sanctuary.co.uk

We reserve the right depending on application numbers to close or extend the closing dates for positions; we would therefore recommend an early application.

View more detail about what it’s like to work for our organisation, and what we offer on our Sanctuary careers pages at -  http://www.sanctuary.co.uk/join-our-team

Inclusion is one of our core values. Our goal is to be a diverse, inclusive organisation where our people thrive and meet our customers’ needs with fairness and empathy. We know having a range of ideas and opinions makes a difference.  We encourage and welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds to support this mission.  We will make adjustments throughout your application process, in line with Sanctuary’s commitment to our Disability Confident employer status.

Building Equality and Diversity

Sanctuary Group encourages and welcomes applications from people from diverse backgrounds to support our commitment to offering an inclusive environment for our employees and customers.
We work closely with the Home Office in order to prevent unlawful working.
Sanctuary Maintenance Contractors Limited is a subsidiary of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity.