Manchester City Council
Estate Officer
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Working Hours
35 Hours Per Week
Work Pattern
Heaton Park operates seven days a week, and the Estate Officer role reflects the need to support this continuous service. The post requires regular weekend working and some unsociable hours, including early starts, evenings, and bank holidays.
The working pattern is based on a rota system designed to ensure appropriate cover across the week. While Estate Officers are not required to work every other weekend, the pattern is also not fixed at one in three weekends; instead, it sits between these arrangements, providing a balanced but flexible distribution of weekend duties across the team.
This approach ensures consistent staffing levels to meet operational demands, particularly during peak visitor periods and seasonal fluctuations.
Contract Type
2 x Full-Time, Permanent
Additional Payments
6.7% Flexibility payment
Closing Date
06 July 2026
Closing Time
11.59pm
Interview Method
Face to Face
Legal Right to Work
In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action
Role Requirements
This role is subject to:
- 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
- DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice). We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.
- Driving Licence - The successful candidate must always hold a full valid driving licence as you will be required to drive a vehicle adhering to council regulations.
Role Overview
The Estate Officer role at Heaton Park is both exciting and highly impactful, offering the opportunity to directly contribute to one of Manchester’s most valued and well-visited green spaces. With approximately 3.2 million visitors each year, Heaton Park plays a vital role in supporting the health, wellbeing, and leisure of residents and visitors, and the Estate Officer is central to maintaining this high-quality environment.
This is a hands-on, varied role where no two days are the same. Estate Officers are responsible for ensuring the park, its buildings, and facilities are safe, clean, and well-maintained. Through regular inspections, reactive and planned maintenance, and proactive identification of issues, the role directly supports Manchester City Council’s commitment to providing safe, accessible, and high-quality public spaces.
A key aspect of the role is managing health and safety risks across a large and diverse estate. By carrying out inspections, responding quickly to defects, and undertaking minor repairs, the Estate Officer helps protect visitors from harm and reduces the Council’s exposure to risk and potential liability. This makes the role critical to maintaining public confidence and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
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The role also contributes to the overall visitor experience. Estate Officers ensure that popular attractions such as play areas, buildings, and the Animal Centre are maintained to a high standard, supporting a welcoming and enjoyable environment for families and the wider community. Their visible presence within the park also provides reassurance to visitors and supports positive engagement with the public.
In addition, the Estate Officer plays an important role in supporting the care and welfare of livestock within the park. This seven-day operation requires reliable, consistent staffing, and the Estate Officer contributes to maintaining high animal welfare standards, which are a key part of the park’s offer and appeal.
Security is another important responsibility, with Estate Officers ensuring buildings and assets are secured, alarms are set, and access is controlled appropriately. This helps safeguard Council property and ensures a safe environment for both staff and visitors.
Overall, the Estate Officer role is integral to the success of the Heaton Park service. It underpins the safe operation, presentation, and functionality of the park, directly contributing to Manchester City Council’s wider objectives of promoting wellbeing, protecting public assets, and delivering high-quality, sustainable public services.
Contact Information
For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Saul Mearns, at 0161 773 1085 and saul.mearns@manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for a reliable, proactive, and practical individual who takes pride in maintaining high standards and enjoys working in a varied, hands-on environment. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, with a strong focus on safety, customer service, and delivering high-quality public spaces.
We would love to hear from you if you have experience of:
- Carrying out inspections, maintenance tasks, or similar operational duties within parks, estates, or facilities environments
- Identifying and addressing health and safety risks in a practical setting
- Working in a customer-facing environment and engaging positively with members of the public
- Supporting the upkeep, cleanliness, and presentation of buildings and outdoor spaces
- Working both independently and collaboratively to deliver services
Technical Requirements (Role Specific)
- Willingness to undergo a DBS check
- Experience or willingness to handle animals during licensed procedures
- Full UK driving licence (essential)
- Willingness to undertake ROSPA Play Inspector qualification
- Flexibility to work unsociable hours, including weekends and evenings (this role attracts a 6.7% flexibility payment)
General Skills (Essential)
- Communication Skills: Good literacy and numeracy skills, with the ability to complete records, basic reports, and communicate effectively with colleagues and the public
- Planning and Organising: Ability to prioritise tasks, manage workload effectively, and respond to changing demands
- Problem Solving and Decision Making: Able to assess situations, identify issues quickly, and implement practical, safe solutions
- Initiative: Capable of working independently, using judgement to resolve day-to-day operational issues
- ICT Skills: Basic ability to use ICT systems to record information, access data, and communicate
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Desirable Requirements
The experience below would be beneficial but is not essential:
- Previous experience working in parks, estates, facilities management, or a similar environment
- Experience working with livestock or animal care
- Experience carrying out routine inspections (e.g. play areas, buildings, or public spaces)
- Knowledge of health and safety practices in a public-facing environment
- Experience working with or alongside third-party organisations or contractors
- Experience working towards or holding a relevant qualification (e.g. maintenance, horticulture, facilities, or animal care
About Us
We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
Working for Manchester isn’t just a job - it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Our Manchester Is Our Vision for a Fairer, Greener, and Healthier City - a Vision Shaped By The People Of Manchester. It Guides Everything We Do At The Council And Is Brought To Life Through The Our Manchester Behaviours
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits We Offer
- Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
- A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
- Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
- Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
- A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
- Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-
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