Landscape Operative

• West Suffolk Council
• Address:West Suffolk House Western Way Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 3YU
• Salary:29540 - 32597 per annum plus excellent employee benefits package
• Hours:37 hours per week
• Contract:Permanent
• Reference:0729

Due to new adoptions of amenity land within the Bury St Edmunds area our Landscape service now requires a new member of staff.

In this Landscape Operative role you will assist our team in providing an effective efficient and quality Landscape and Cemeteries service for the benefit of all of our residents and customers.

We have three operational depots throughout the District including the West Suffolk Operational Hub (WSOH) at Fornham St Martin on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds covering the central area. We also have excellent area depots at Mildenhall covering the former Forrest Heath area and Haverhill covering the southern part of the district.

This vacancy will be primarily based at the West Suffolk Operational Hub however flexibility is essential as you may reasonably be required to work from any of our premises or locations within West Suffolk.

Dependent on your current skills the main duties are likely to include general horticultural maintenance activities including the planting and upkeep of bedding areas shrub and hedge maintenance grass cutting autumn leaf clearance and litter collection using appropriate plant and equipment together with a whole range of other horticultural operations as specified in the job description. You may be required to assist with Cemetery duties from time to time which will include the preparation digging and backfilling of graves installation of shoring equipment and the burial process.

What you will need

You will be able to demonstrate a positive approach to health and safety and be prepared to take on additional training as required ensuring work is carried out to the standards required and meets the deadlines expected. You will be customer focused and be able to demonstrate a desire to deliver high standards of service.

You will hold a current Class BE licence and have your own means of transport. Operational experience of ride on cylinder and rotary mowers is desirable but not essential.

Ideally you will hold aCity and Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Workbased Horticulture (Parks Gardens and Green Space) and/or a 0216 - NPTC Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides (formerly PA1/PA6A). However these qualifications are not essential as we will provide training in the horticultural and cemetery skills required for the post.

Please refer to the job description and person specification for full details of this exciting opportunity.

Why work for usOur benefits include:

• Holiday entitlement of 25 days increasing to 29 days after 5 years (pro rata if part time) plus bank holidays (with an option to buy up to 10 extra days each year subject to approval).

• Generous pension scheme - contribute between 5.5% and 6.8% (depending on your salary) and the council will contribute 16.4%.

• Life assurance a payment of three times your annual salary.

• Access to a unique employee benefits package which includes discounts and cashback on supermarkets high street shops holidays mobile phones electrical goods savings and loan schemes and many other products and services.
• Salary sacrifice benefits including Cycle to Work scheme Tusker Leased Car Scheme and SmartTech (buy the latest tech products interest free and repay through your monthly salary).
• Rail and bus staff discounts
• A range of Health and Wellbeing initiatives including an employee assistance programme.
• Discounted membership at Abbeycroft Leisure centres.
• A culture of learning inspiring staff to focus on continuous learning.

For more information

Please read the Job Description (pdf) Person Specification (pdf) and Core Value (pdf).

For an informal discussion about this role please contact either Jason Baldwin Landscape Supervisor by calling or John Van Rheede Toas Landscape Manager by calling .

How to apply

To apply please complete your application by visiting our website.

Closing date:1.00 pm24 May 2026

Previous applicants need not apply.

West Suffolk Council has been rated in the top 10 district councils for climate action (Climate Scorecards 2023) and as a member of UK100 has demonstrated its commitment to a rapid transition to Net Zero with Clean Air in our communities. The council has declared a climate and biodiversity emergency and is committed to working towards net zero emissions by 2039.