Parks Cleansing Operative
Parks Cleansing Operative
Company Description
Established as an independent charity in 1992, The Parks Trust expertly cares for over 6,000 acres of beautiful and inspirational green space in Milton Keynes including parks, ancient woodlands, lakes, river valleys and 80 miles of landscaped areas along the city’s grid roads.
In most towns and cities, parkland is owned by the local authority, but Milton Keynes’ founders were pioneers and decided to do things differently. Their vision was to create a new town where the parkland and landscapes would be protected forever by a charity that was separate from local government. Doing so would ensure that, as the new town grew, its green spaces would never be compromised or have to fight for funding.
That all became a reality when The Parks Trust was set up in 1992. The new charity was given a 999-year lease on a total of 4,500 acres of Milton Keynes and an endowment of property valued at £20m. Returns on these carefully managed investments generate the primary source of income required to fund the charity’s wide-ranging work today and forever.
Over 100 staff and 240 volunteers deliver the essential work of The Parks Trust. In addition to landscaping and maintenance tasks, that also includes providing valuable recreation and leisure facilities, connecting communities at over 500 outdoor events each year, and advancing public education around the wildlife, biodiversity, and the environment.
As Milton Keynes grows, so does The Parks Trust. Each year, the charity takes on new green spaces and endowments from developers to cover costs in perpetuity. This approach ensures that all new areas of the city benefit from the same quality of inspiring, connected landscape and Milton Keynes remains a great place to live, work and play.
Position
Become a Parks Cleansing Operative at The Parks Trust to help keep Milton Keynes’ parks and green spaces clean for all to enjoy.
HOURS & SALARY INFO
Hours
37.5 hours per week - Core hours between 7am-5pm; flexibility as required.
- Week 1: The PCO will work 7 days (Monday-Sunday)
- Week 2: Followed by 3 days (Wednesday-Friday)
- Week 3: Work 5 days (Monday-Friday)
- Week 4: Another 5 days (Monday-Friday).
- This rota results in all staff working 1 out of 4 weekends.
Salary
- £25,610.00 per annum.
Key Objectives
- Collect and remove litter and waste items from the parks and routine cleaning duties within the required timescales.
- Carry out a schedule of winter works including painting and jet washing.
- Routinely dispose of collected waste at Hollin Lane yard.
- Ensure the Parks Trust’s waste processing policies are upheld and adhered to.
- Help ensure the parks are maintained to a high standard and remain safe, clean and attractive places to visit
- Help to maintain a strong and positive reputation for the Trust and promote effective and appropriate use of the open space.
- Ensure all working practices are Health & Safety compliant.
FULL JOB DESCRIPTION ATTACHED.
Requirements
Essential
- Full Driving Licence required for driving van to various sites.
- Ability to cover large distances within our parks.
- Experience of working within a similar team and in the same type of cleansing operation.
- Ability to undertake manual handling tasks daily, including heavy and bulky items and cleaning at high and low levels.
- Ability to use IT systems associated with the role, recording information/data as required and using mobile equipment such as tablets and smartphones.
- Excellent communication skills
Other information
Other information
In return, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:
- Competitive salary.
- Ongoing support and training.
- Excellent contributory pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution).
- Income protection and life assurance cover after qualifying period.
- Enhanced family friendly policies after qualifying period.
- Home Working policy.
- Occupational sick pay.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Discounted gym membership.
- Salary sacrifice schemes for tech & electric cars.
- Generous annual leave allowance plusa wellbeing day off each year.
- Buying and Selling option for annual leave.
- Medical Cash Plan.
- Access to employee wellbeing helpline.
- Discount for Willen Lake activities and café.
- Free eye tests.
- Great office in a parkland setting with free parking.
Application process
Please apply online using the link through our website using Cezanne.
- Deadline is Monday 1 February 2026
- First interviews via teams – Tuesday 17 February 2026
- Second interviews – Tuesday 3 March 2026
The Parks Trust is committed to safeguarding and will always recruit all personnel in line with government guidelines, relevant legislation, Charity Commission guidance and best practice standards.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
If you need additional support with your application or would like further information, please contact recruitment@theparkstrust.com.