Job Description
A2a
Job Title: Seasonal Operative
Service: Places
Post Number: PLCO4399, 4499, 4599 &
4699
Division: Community Services
Grade: 2
Business Unit/Section: Neighbourhood
Services
Overall Purpose of Job:
To undertake duties such as grass cutting, hedge trimming, street sweeping, litter picking,
emptying dog/litter bins, removing fly tipping and grave digging using a variety of powered
hand tools and light plant (ride on mowers, trimmers, hedge trimmers etc.). Seasonal
operatives will work alongside and provide assistance to higher graded staff in more skilled
tasks.
Main Responsibilities:
1.
To undertake duties such as grass cutting, hedge trimming, street sweeping, litter
picking, emptying dog/litter bins, removing fly tipping and grave digging.
2.
To operate powered hand tools and light plant, including ride on mowers, strimmers,
hedge trimmers, blowers etc.).
3.
To provide assistance to higher graded staff in more skilled tasks.
4.
To ensure that established health and safety procedures and safe systems of work
are adhered to at all times.
5.
To complete any necessary records including timesheets.
6.
To empty dog and litter bins.
7.
To undertake the collection of fly tipped items as instructed.
8.
To ensure good relationships are maintained between area team operatives and
members of the public or commercial customers.
9.
To undertake any other duties that fall within the established grade as directed by
the immediate line manager.
Corporate Services Cabinet Member 12 November 2003
Job Description
A2a
Knowledge, Skill and Experience Required:
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Basic horticultural/street cleaning knowledge and/or experience.
Technical skills in the use of tools and powered equipment
Basic health and safety understanding
Manual handling techniques
Basic numeracy and literacy skills
Customer care
Creativity and Innovation:
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Weather conditions: Reprioritise workload.
Breakdown of machinery: Would refer to full-time staff/chargehand.
Members of the public presenting complaints/queries: Listen to problems, deal
with if possible or refer to other sources such as chargehand/supervisors etc.
Decision Making:
 Method of completing tasks correctly, safely, efficiently and on time.
 Most appropriate manner when dealing with members of the public/customers
 Decide when to refer an issue to the chargehand/operative on site.
Contacts and Relationships:
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Internal: Line manager, colleagues and other service areas.
External: Members of the public, Councillors, Parish Councils, Sports Clubs,
Undertakers, “Contract Manager” if operating within a “Service Level Agreement”
site, i.e. a schools ground, private property.
Responsibility for Resources: (to include approximate value, sole or shared
responsibilty and for what percentage of their working hours away from their
designated base)
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All hand tools used on horticultural/street cleaning operations, e.g. hoe, fork, spade,
rake, brush.
Equipment such as petrol hedge trimmers, strimmers, weed ripper.
Plant – all kinds of lawn mowers including ride on mowers.
Vehicles e.g. vans.
(All above plant/equipment shared with team)
Corporate Services Cabinet Member 12 November 2003
Job Description
A2a
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work Demands:
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Type of work varies according to the seasons.
Members of the public approaching staff with enquires or complaints.
Weather conditions change priorities.
Requirements of “Contract Manager” on SLA contracts e.g. Head Teachers at schools.
Physical Demands:
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Lifting small plant and machinery, materials, bagged waste, flytipping etc.
Walking when mowing, cleaning paths or litter picking etc. Could walk between 5 - 10
miles per day.
Digging e.g. bedding and possibly assisting higher graded post holders with grave
digging.
Driving vans, mowers etc.
Working Conditions:
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Working outside, with exposure to all types of weather from cold and wet conditions to
dusty and dry, and working in the heat and sun.
At other times would work in the depot (collecting tools and equipment), or would be
driving from one site to another.
Work Context:
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Equipment/plant: Using potentially hazardous equipment e.g. mowers, strimmers,
hedge cutters, saws etc.
Litter: All litter must be removed from work areas prior to operating plant and
equipment, this may include handling contaminated waste, syringes, animal excrement
etc.
Members of the public: Providing a frontline service, members of the public can also
be a potential risk, should they become abusive or violent. The possibility of violent or
challenging behaviour.
Weather: Exposure to the weather is constant with the risk of heatstroke, sunburn in
extreme conditions.
Dog Attacks: When working in parks or should a dog be loose in the street, there is a
risk of attack.
All the above are “potential” risks that are present in the normal working environment.
Protective clothing is provided and safety devices on machinery are in place.
Corporate Services Cabinet Member 12 November 2003
Job Description
A2a
Position in Organisation:
Indicate how many staff the post is directly accountable for: Nil
Does the postholder manage the posts Yes  No 
OR
Does the postholder supervise the posts Yes  No 
Are posts in more than one location? Yes  No 
Is the supervision/management shared with another post in the structure? Yes  No 
Please indicate which post(s) _______________________________________________
Note:
Post holders will be expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities
attached to their post and may be asked to perform other duties, which reasonably
correspond to the general character of the post and are commensurate with its level of
responsibility. This job description is provided for guidance only and does not form part of
the contract of employment.
Date of Job Description
…………………………….
Date copy sent to Post holder
…………………………….
Corporate Services Cabinet Member 12 November 2003