Grounds Maintenance Operator Dirleton Depot

Starting salary:27740
Contract type: Permanent
Grade:01
Location: Dirleton Depot Dirleton Castle Dirleton East Lothian EH39 5ER
Working Hours:Monday - Friday 1820 annualised hours

Interviews:To be held in person at Dirleton on Week Commencing Week commencing 20th July 2026

Thank you for your interest in the post of Grounds Maintenance Operator with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) that will be based in the Dirleton Castle Depot. This is a permanent and pensionable position.

You will be joining a dedicated team where you will contribute to the grounds maintenance of historical monuments under the care of Historic Environment Scotland at Dirleton Castle and in the surrounding areas.

For more information about the post and information about the team please access the full job descriptionfor this post. Please note that if you dont have Office 365 installed on your device this can be opened using your browser.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland

• Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme 28% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) 11.5 public holidays
• Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• Support for further education and personal development
• Study leave for work related courses
• Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)

• Free entry to English Heritage Manx and Cadw properties

Key Responsibilities of this role

The post involves general grass maintenance and gardening duties within the grounds maintenance team. You will be expected to work under the instruction of the Property Maintenance and Compliance Manager. You will ensure an excellent customer experience by maintaining HES properties and grounds to a high standard.

Due to the nature of this role you will work mainly outside in variable weather conditions.

You will be required to comply with and promote HES Health and Safety Policies.

From time to time you will be required to attend training courses identified to assist the work or to comply with health and safety legislation (this may require travel and overnight stays away from home). You will be required to complete IOSH Working Safely when starting in post.

Key duties of the Ground Maintenance Operator post include:
Grass cutting and strimming at various sites using numerous types of machinery
Garden maintenance
Minor maintenance of plant and equipment
Hedge maintenance
Fencing repairs
Minor drainage works
Tree works
Dry stone wall repairs
Planting and weeding
Litter removal
Carry out maintenance works e.g. painting etc. throughout the area

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post we will be looking for you to complete acover letterwhich addresses:

1.Why you are interested in the post with Historic Environment Scotland

2.How you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 800 words) using examples of where you have used these skills in the past.

Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life home life education or volunteer experience.Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidancefirst before completing as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrable experience of carrying out grounds maintenance in estates local authority environment or historic landscape management
• Knowledge of the following: Health and Safety at Work Act Risk Assessments Method Statements
• Competent in the use of various grass cutting machinery e.g. strimmers flail mowers ride on mowers cylinder mowers hedge trimmers etc.
• Competent knowledge of estate management e.g. fencing drainage dry stone walling use of pesticides etc.
• Knowledge of small plant and equipment maintenance
• Full UK Driving License or if non-UK driving license holder a willingness to convert within first 12 months of employment. Willingness to work towards a D1 E Entitlement if not already obtained.
  

Find out more aboutdesirableskills and experience in ourfull job description.

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds regardless of age race gender or gender identity religious beliefs marital status sexual orientation disability or support of our Gaelic Language Plan we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format please reach out to us via email at or call our Head Office at 0 and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that at this time we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.

To submit your application online please read our How to Apply section followed by Apply Now button to begin your application.