Description Starting salary: £24,454 Contract type: Permanent Band: A Location: Edinburgh Region Working Hours: 5 out of 7 days, 35 hours per week The post holder will join a dedicated team responsible for all aspects of grounds maintenance within the approximately 650-acre site which holds both SSSI and Scheduled Ancient Monument status. Commensurate experience of grounds maintenance operations with multiple site users is an essential requirement for the post. Holyrood Park and Gardens team currently consist of 10 personnel. 7 garden staff and 3 ground maintenance staff who together are responsible for the conservation and maintenance of Holyrood Park and Palace Gardens. The post holder will be based within Holyrood Park and expected to carry out all aspects of grounds maintenance within this unique historic landscape, including providing driver cover as required. You will also be expected to support the Holyrood Palace Gardens team as required.as well providing support to any other Historic Environment Scotland site as required. For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description for this post. Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme – 28% employer contribution 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) 11.5 public holidays Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions Support for further education and personal development Study leave for work related courses Flexible working hours (where appropriate) Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests) Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties Key Responsibilities of this role The post involves litter removal, general grass maintenance and gardening duties within the ground’s maintenance team. You will be expected to work under the instruction of the Works Manager and Assistant Works Manager, and you will be required to comply with and promote HES Health and Safety Policies. As part of their daily duties, The post holder will also be expected to carry out driving duties as and when required driving a variety of vehicles to our sites and suppliers with staff, materials and equipment. From time to time, you may be required to attend training courses identified to assist the work, or to comply with health and safety legislation. Some general objectives for this post are: Grass cutting and strimming using various types of machinery Litter collection Leaf collection Minor maintenance of plant and equipment Hedge maintenance Tree works (Woodland maintenance including ground-based chainsaw operations and woodchipper operations) Chemical Weed Control (applying herbicides via applicators) Driving duties as required Minor fencing repairs Minor drainage works Assist Palace Gardens Team as required Keeping the working site clean and tidy ensuring that access egress to working areas are maintained at all times Maintain individual responsibilities for Health & Safety awareness and the health and Safety of members of the public and fellow employees Key requirements of the role: In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to complete a cover letter which addresses: 1. Why you are interested in the post with Historic Environment Scotland 2. How you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 800 words), using examples of where you have used these skills in the past. Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance first before completing. Essential Criteria: Demonstrate a good all-round understanding and practical experience of carrying out grounds maintenance duties. Knowledge and experience of operating strimmers, mowers, and various horticultural implements and hand tools. Full current driving licence covering classifications B,B1,C1,C1E,D1,D Demonstrate a basic understanding of vehicle maintenance. Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description. We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers. We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at recruit@hes.scot or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team. Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post. To submit your application online, please read our ‘How to Apply’ section followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.