Ground Maintenance Operative

**Ground Maintenance Operatives, Field Assets Team Member**

**Wigton**

**Grade - Team Member Level 2A**

**Permanent, full-time role.**

Are you passionate about the outdoors and eager to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future? This is your chance to be part of a dynamic team working on the front line to combat the climate emergency and address environmental challenges like flooding, drought, and coastal changes

This is an exciting time to join the UK’s biggest environmental organisation with an ambition to be Carbon Net Zero by 2030 and influence how we do things in the future[GM1]. As part of the Environment Agency, you will play your part in protecting and improving the environment. We are working with government, local councils, businesses, civil society groups and communities to meet these challenges and at the same time make our environment a better place for people and wildlife.

**Role Responsibilities**:

- Maintain and operate flood and coastal risk management assets, ensuring their optimal performance in safeguarding communities.
- Respond to incidents and emergencies related to flooding and other environmental challenges, playing a vital role in our 24/7 standby roster. Your dedication will be compensated in addition to your basic pay.
- Contribute to initiatives, such as installing flood barriers, building sandbag walls, deploying high-volume pumps and providing assistance to affected communities during flood situations.
- Utilise a wide range of tools and equipment, including chainsaws, strimmers/bush cutters, heavy plant machinery, boats, and more. Your proficiency will be key to preventing and mitigating flood risks.
- Participate in various tasks such as structural maintenance, vegetation management, small construction projects, soft engineering methods, beach maintenance, and culvert and grille clearances.

**Why choose us**:

- **Diverse and Exciting Role**: Enjoy a diverse range of duties that involve structural maintenance, vegetation management, small construction projects, soft engineering, beach maintenance, and responding to flood incidents. Every day will be different and fulfilling.
- **Training and Support**: No prior experience? No problem As a new Field Operations Team Member you will have the opportunity to enrol in our Water Environment Worker Apprenticeship. The WEW Apprentice Programme delivers comprehensive training in the use of tools, equipment, and health & safety protocols, ensuring you have all the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in your role.[GM3]
- **Continuous Learning**: Enhance your practical abilities and environmental awareness through hands-on work. We encourage and support further development, including specialist training when required.
- **Team Environment**: Work as part of a close-knit team of like-minded individuals who share your passion for the environment. Together, we make a real impact and create a better world for all.

**What you will need**
- Ability to work in all weather conditions and as part of a dedicated team.
- A valid UK driving license.
- Ability to travel to your depot and/or the local area within a reasonable time in order to respond to incidents and meet urgent business needs.

**We’re looking for people with**:

- A passion for the outdoors and a genuine commitment to protecting the environment.
- Literacy and numeracy skills, along with a willingness to learn our in-house systems and use IT devices.
- Some understanding of site health and safety requirements, but full training will be provided.

**Where you will work**

You will be expected to travel to your depot to check in daily, and then will be dispersed from there in smaller teams to carry out the field work tasks for that day within our geographical area. More on this and the shift patterns will be explained at the interview.

Your work will be critical both to improve the environment and to protect local communities from flooding, and you will maintain and operate a range of assets, from a large flood relief channel and flood storage reservoirs to local flood defences.

Your day-to-day work will typically involve small construction tasks, vegetation control and asset maintenance, using small hand tools powers tools up to larger ride-on plant and tractors.

**What’s in it for you?**

You’ll benefit from a culture that embraces difference and is inclusive where you’ll feel supported and trusted to do the right thing. We’ll invest in you and allow you to grow and shape your career. Specifically, and where appropriate, we will support you to complete and achieve our Water Environment Worker apprenticeship. What’s more, you’ll have access to our great benefits package including:

- Starting salary of £24,335
- A generous career average pension scheme
- Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay
- 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays for full-time employees or equivalent
- Great career opportunities
- Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave scheme
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