Horden Parish Council is offering an opportunity to join their busy, friendly team as a Horticulture Grounds Maintenance Apprentice, based in Horden. The council will support you in learning a range of skills such as mowing (push and ride-on), hedge trimming, pruning, and tree care, as you complete your Horticulture Level 2 apprenticeship.

Requirements

• GCSE in English (grade 3 or above)
• GCSE in Maths (grade 3 or above)
• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Logical thinking
• Team working ability
• Creativity
• Initiative
• Non-judgemental attitude
• Physical fitness
• Ability to work outside in all weathers
• Ability to perform physical work

Responsibilities

Grounds Maintenance:

• Use and maintain a full range of horticultural equipment, including ride-on mowers
• Grasscutting and strimming
• Preparation and planting of flower beds and shrub beds
• Assisting in the maintenance of sports pitches with grounds staff
• Marking up of sports pitches
• Hedge cutting, tree pruning, turfing work, landscaping
• General maintenance of fencing
• Spraying of pesticides and fertilisers
• Seat maintenance and painting
• Play equipment repairing and painting
• Litter picking, emptying litter bins and dog foul bins
• Driving council vehicles, as required (subject to holding an appropriate licence)

Cemetery Work:

• Assisting cemetery staff with the re-opening and digging of graves with mechanical and non-mechanical equipment
• Upkeep of grounds and open spaces

Benefits

• Progression to the next level of qualification
• Possibility of full-time employment for the right candidate

Application Process

• The closing date for applications is Thursday 12 March 2026 at 11:59pm.
• Sign in or create an account to apply.

About Horden Parish Council

The main aim of the Parish Council has always been to provide good quality services, particularly in recreational facilities for local people. They own, manage and maintain two parks, 4 small play areas, playing fields and sports pitches as well as a cemetery and the Social Welfare Centre.

Contact

EAST DURHAM COLLEGE Adam Heslop adam.heslop@eastdurham.ac.uk 01915185589 Reference code: VAC2000017969