Grounds Maintenance Operator

Starting salary: £25,770

Contract type: Permanent

Grade: 1

Location: Edinburgh Region, Holyrood Park

Working Hours: Monday - Friday (annualised)

Interviews: To be held in person at Croft-an-Righ on Week Commencing 11 January 2026

Holyrood Park and Gardens team currently consist of 10 personnel. 7 garden staff and 3 ground maintenance staff who together are responsible for the conservation and maintenance of Holyrood Park and Palace Gardens. The post holder will be based within Holyrood Park and expected to carry out all aspects of grounds maintenance within this unique historic landscape, including providing driver cover as required. You will also be expected to support the Holyrood Palace Gardens team as well providing support to any other Historic Environment Scotland site as required.

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 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

• Grass cutting and strimming using various types of machinery.
• Litter and Leaf collection.
• Minor maintenance of plant and equipment.
• Hedge maintenance.
• Tree works. (Woodland maintenance including ground-based chainsaw operations and woodchipper operations)
• Chemical Weed Control (applying herbicides via applicators)
• Driving duties as required
• Minor fencing repairs and drainage works.
• Assist Palace Gardens Team as required.
• Keeping the working site clean and tidy ensuring that access egress to working areas are maintained at all times.
• Maintain individual responsibilities for Health & Safety awareness and the health and Safety of members of the public and fellow employees.

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to complete a cover letter which 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.

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrates a good all-round understanding and practical experience of carrying out grounds' maintenance duties.
• Knowledge and experience of operating Strimmer's, Mowers, and various horticultural implements and hand tools.
• Full current UK driving licence covering classifications B,B1,C1,C1E
• Demonstrates a basic understanding of vehicle maintenance.

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 neurodiversity. In 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 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.