Grounds Operative (Sponsorship Available) at University of the West of England

About This Role

University of the West of England is looking for a hands-on Grounds Operative to join the Grounds Team at UWE Bristol, helping to care for and maintain the beautiful outdoor spaces across campus.

This is a practical, operational role where you’ll get stuck into maintaining lawns, planting areas, trees, hedges, and green spaces, ensuring the grounds are safe, well-presented, and enjoyable for staff, students, and visitors.

You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to sustainability and biodiversity projects, supporting a greener, more vibrant campus.

This role combines real horticultural skill with practical grounds maintenance — from mowing and strimming to pruning, planting, and using a range of horticultural machinery.

This is a full-time role (37 hours per week), offered on a fixed term basis (two years) based at the lively Frenchay campus. Flexibility is required to cover open days, Welcome Weekend, or extreme weather events, which will be paid as overtime.

Job Details

• Employer: University of the West of England

• Job Title: Grounds Operative

• Location: Bristol, United Kingdom

• Salary: £24,309–£26,707 per year

• Job Type: Full-time

• Closing Date: 1 November 2026

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At UWE Bristol, the University of the West of England is committed to high-quality green spaces and biodiversity.

The grounds work has been recognised with a DEFRA award for pollinator support and Highly Commended in the UK & Ireland Green Gown Awards.

Across its campuses, UWE Bristol implements wildlife-friendly practices to support pollinators, hedgehogs, and other local species, creating a vibrant and sustainable environment.

University of the West of England offers:

• A varied, hands-on role across 150 acres of campus with lawns, gardens, planting beds, and other horticultural features.

• Opportunities to work on sustainability and biodiversity projects.

• Supportive colleagues and a strong team environment.

• Competitive pay and benefits, including generous annual leave, pension, retail savings, and access to an on-site nursery.

• Training and development for role-specific skills.

UWE Bristol values practical experience as much as formal qualifications — if you have a passion for horticulture and grounds maintenance, you’ll fit right in.

About You

You are practical, organised, and take pride in your work. You can plan and prioritise tasks, work independently, and pay attention to detail.

You enjoy hands-on horticultural work and are comfortable operating grounds machinery safely.

A love of the environment, a commitment to sustainability, and an interest in supporting biodiversity will help you succeed in this role.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Full current driving licence.

• RHS Level 2 in Horticulture or equivalent qualifications or significant hands-on horticultural experience.

• Experience using horticultural and grounds machinery, including ride-on mowers, tractors, brushcutters, hedge trimmers, and blowers.

• Strong plant knowledge and understanding of garden and grounds care.

• Ability to work independently, organise tasks, and meet deadlines.

• Good verbal communication skills.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• PA1 and PA6 spraying licence.

• Trailer towing licence.

• Experience in orchard or fruit tree maintenance.

• Experience with propagation, greenhouse or polytunnel work.

• Knowledge of edible plants, wildflower meadows, pond or waterway management.

Where Is This Role Based?

This post is based at the lively Frenchay campus where University of the West of England has invested in the latest facilities and resources to give both staff and students access to everything they need to succeed.

Why UWE Bristol?

University of the West of England is one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe.

Based in vibrant Bristol, the University’s ambitions are to make a positive difference to the planet, transforming futures through actions and solving real world challenges.

UWE Bristol offers a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, very generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.

Add Your Individuality to UWE Bristol

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.

The University is part of a vibrant, multicultural city and welcomes talented people from all backgrounds. Diversity is its strength, enhancing creativity, decision-making and problem-solving. Join the supportive community and thrive.

UWE Bristol particularly encourages applications from global majority and female candidates as the University is currently under-represented in this area, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.

As a Disability Confident employer, UWE Bristol welcomes applications from those who identify as having a disability.

Further Information

If you would like to speak to UWE Bristol about this role, please contact Kaz Armour – Horticultural Manager on 07543 302769 or email kaz.armour-marshall@uwe.ac.uk.

Interviews are expected to take place at the Frenchay Campus, w/c 16th November, but this will be confirmed in time.

This is a full-time, fixed term post, working 37 hours per week.

This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.

UWE Bristol is a campus-based University, with vibrant campuses that are central to student life. This role is based on campus for all of your time.

Salary offers will be made in line with the University’s salary assessment guidelines and will reflect your relevant skills and experience.

Right to Work in the UK

If offered a role, you will need to provide valid documentation confirming your right to work in the UK before employment begins. Guidance on acceptable documents is available via the Home Office Right to Work Checklist.

UWE Bristol may be able to sponsor eligible candidates for this role under the Skilled Worker visa route; however, visa sponsorship eligibility is assessed only at offer stage, being invited to interview does not indicate an offer of sponsorship.

Please review UWE Bristol’s Skilled Worker Guidance and UK Government website to assess your eligibility. If you do not qualify you may wish to explore other visa options.

Please note that UWE Bristol does not cover any visa or health surcharge costs.

Next Steps

UWE Bristol would love to hear from you – if this role excites you, please complete the University’s application form as soon as possible and tell UWE Bristol how your skills and experience meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification, using clear and relevant examples wherever possible.

UWE Bristol will keep you informed of the outcome by email once shortlisting is complete.

How to Apply

If this opportunity interests you, head to the company’s official website for full details — click here to submit your application.