Trainee Grounds Maintenance Assistant (apprenticeship development role)

Job description

Job Title: Trainee Grounds Maintenance Assistant (development role)

Department: Estates and Facilities Directorate

Estates Operations

Grade:Grade 1

Salary range: £24,479

Working arrangements: Full-time (35 hours)

Permanent

Five days from seven (primarily Monday to Friday), including day release at College to study for NVQ level 2 in Amenity Horticulture

Development role progressing from Grade 1 to Grade 2, subject to completion of relevant apprenticeship/qualification and achieving the required standards on an agreed personal development plan

Maybe required to work evenings and weekends as business demands

Onsite working only

Role will require physical activities and manual handling, including lifting and transporting materials and stock.

Closing date: Wednesday 4th November 2026

The University

At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.

Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here

The Role and Department

This role provides an excellent opportunity to begin a career in grounds maintenance and horticulture within one of the UK's leading universities. As a Trainee Grounds Maintenance Assistant, you will develop practical skills and experience while working alongside experienced professionals responsible for maintaining Durham University's stunning grounds, gardens and landscaped spaces. Combining hands-on work with a structured apprenticeship programme, you will gain the knowledge, skills and qualifications needed to build a successful career in the sector. Throughout your development journey, you will receive training, guidance and support to help you grow in confidence and capability while making a valued contribution to the University's estate.

Working across the University's extensive and diverse estate, you will learn how to undertake a wide range of grounds and gardening activities, from routine maintenance and planting to supporting larger landscaping and improvement projects. You will work with the Grounds and Gardens and Botanic Garden teams, developing specialist skills through a combination of practical experience and formal study towards an NVQ Level 2 qualification in Amenity Horticulture. The qualification will form part of a development plan focusing on the requirements of the Grade 2 Grounds Maintenance Assistant role. This development role has been designed to provide a clear pathway to a Grounds Maintenance Assistant position, offering an exciting opportunity to earn, learn and develop your career in a supportive and professional environment, over a two-year period and progress will be regularly reviewed against agreed outputs in your development plan; however, it may be extended if the University considers it necessary. The job description for the Grade 2 role is available here: JD---26001380---Grade-2---Grounds-Maintenance-Assistant.pdf

If you are unable to meet the full requirements and performance levels at the end of the development period, you may be retained at the lower grade.

The Estates and Facilities Directorate plays a vital role in supporting the University's strategic objectives by managing, maintaining and developing its diverse estate and associated services. The Directorate is responsible for the stewardship of the University's buildings, infrastructure, grounds and property assets, ensuring they are safe, sustainable, compliant and fit for purpose, while delivering an extensive programme of maintenance, capital development and estate enhancement projects.

In addition to managing the physical environment, the Directorate delivers a wide range of professional, technical and customer-facing services that support the day-to-day operation of the University. These include facilities and contract management, security, cleaning and housekeeping, postal and reception services, event support, retail operations, management information and business support. Through collaboration with colleagues across the institution, the Directorate helps create an exceptional environment for students, staff and visitors, enabling teaching, research and wider University activities to thrive.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
• You'll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.
• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
• We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply

To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we're looking for:

1. Good spoken and written communication skills.

2. Basic digital skills including the ability to the internet and email.

3. Basic numeracy and literacy skills.

4. Experience of working in a team

5. Ability to manage time to meet deadlines.

6. Ability to follow instructions, spoken or written, accurately.

Desirable

1. Evidence of personal development to improve/maintain skills.

How to Apply

We prefer to receive applications online. When you apply you need to submit a CV and/or a statement that tells us your experience and gives examples of how you meet the criteria above.

We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from oure-recruitmentsystem. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

Who to contact for more information

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Jonny Briggs, Grounds and Gardens Manager, [email protected],would be happy to speak to you.

Typical Role Requirements

Here are the kind of activities that you'll be asked to undertake and ways in which you'll be expected to operate.

Service Delivery
• Provide an excellent service to our students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role by carrying out your tasks using the relevant procedures (which we will provide training for).
• Look after yourself and others by following health and safety regulations, including correctly wearing any protective clothing or equipment provided e.g. safety shoes and being aware of any hazards.
• Learn how to use everyday equipment and tools e.g. gardening equipment from more experienced colleagues.
• Follow instructions from more experienced colleagues to deliver set tasks.
• Learn how to deliver services in line with regulations.
• Keep physical internal and external environments in a safe and secure working order.
• Learn and follow general health, safety and security procedures relevant to your role.
• Complete work in accordance with risk assessments specific to tasks and environments.

Teamwork
• Help and cooperate with the rest of your team.
• Support other team members to carry out their tasks when asked.
• Help colleagues maintain facilities and equipment safely and securely.
• Bring any problems to the attention of more senior colleagues.
• Be trained in other relevant areas within Estates and Facilities, so assistance can be given to meet business needs.

Communication/Personal
• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• Use digital devices and apps (such as email) to communicate with your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role.
• Any other reasonable duties

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.

Version 07-2026