NLGV Driver Team Leader - Grounds Maintenance

Job Title: NLGV Driver/Working Team Leader - Grounds Maintenance (3 posts)

Grade: D

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the Department

The Clean & Green Service is responsible for maintaining and improving Thurrock's parks, open spaces, housing areas, cemeteries and public realm. Working within the new locality-based operational structure, our teams deliver high-quality environmental services that support cleaner, greener and safer communities.

This role forms part of an integrated service working closely with Street Cleansing, Highways Maintenance and Waste Collection teams to provide an efficient and responsive service across the borough.

About the Role

As an NLGV Driver/Working Team Leader - Grounds Maintenance, you will be responsible for:

• Leading and motivating a locality-based team of grounds maintenance operatives.
• Ensuring high-quality grounds maintenance standards are achieved across parks, open spaces, housing estates, cemeteries and council-owned land.
• Allocating, monitoring and rescheduling tasks to ensure work is completed efficiently and within agreed timescales.
• Carrying out practical grounds maintenance duties including grass cutting, strimming, hedge maintenance, tree work and winter maintenance activities.
• Conducting quality inspections and ensuring compliance with service standards.
• Promoting and maintaining a strong health and safety culture across the team.
• Ensuring daily vehicle, equipment and PPE checks are completed and accurately recorded.
• Using digital work management systems to schedule work, record inspections and report completed tasks.
• Acting as the first point of contact for operational issues raised by staff, residents, councillors and partner services.
• Working collaboratively with other Clean & Green, Street Services and Waste Collection teams to deliver integrated environmental services.

This role offers the chance to make a real difference by helping to create and maintain attractive, safe and sustainable green spaces for residents and visitors across Thurrock.

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience in grounds maintenance operations.
• Experience leading or supervising grounds maintenance, environmental or operational teams.
• Strong communication and motivational skills.
• The ability to allocate work, monitor performance and carry out quality inspections.
• Experience using grounds maintenance machinery and equipment, including ride-on and pedestrian mowers, strimmers, and hedge cutters.
• Competence in using digital or mobile systems for work scheduling and reporting.
• A proactive approach to health and safety and staff wellbeing.
• The ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• A flexible approach and commitment to excellent customer service.
• Full Category B Driving Licence.
• Chainsaw certification.
• PA1/PA6 Herbicide Application certification.
• Formal supervisory or leadership training (e.g. ILM Level 3 or equivalent).

DBS Check: Not Required.

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 18th August 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 30th August 2026

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

James Gatton, Acting Operations Manager