Senior Ground Maintenance Operative

Based at: Doncaster Sheffield Airport

Salary details: Grade 6, £27,274 - £28,153

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time

Hours: 37 hours per week

Flexible working arrangements: Flexible working requests will be considered.

CTC Clearances are required for appointment to this role.

Closing date: 15 November 2026

Doncaster Sheffield Airport is entering a transformative period as preparations continue for its planned reopening, following its closure in 2022 and sustained regional efforts to restore aviation activity to the site. Local partners and aviation specialists have been working together to rebuild the operational foundation required for a safe return to service.

About the role

This is a unique opportunity to support the DSA Facilities Manager & be part of a multi-skilled team delivering comprehensive grounds maintenance and soft Facilities Management (Soft FM) services across the Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) aerodrome complex and surrounding landside facilities. The role is responsible for ensuring the airport environment is clean, compliant, well-maintained, and visually welcoming for passengers, visitors, and operational staff. Duties require strenuous physical activity in all weather conditions, strict adherence to Health & Safety and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations, and active contribution to airport resilience and business continuity.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in supporting airport operations from reopening and beyond, creating a proactive culture that delivers reliability, resilience, and continuous improvement.

Duties & Responsibilities

Core responsibilities and duties will include:

• Work outdoors in all weather conditions to carry out day to day mechanical and manual horticultural services across landside and airfield areas., to ensure consistently high-quality standards are met in line with service standards.
• Perform grass cutting, weed control/spraying, planting, pruning, and ground preparation in strict compliance with the Aerodrome Grassland Management Policy and CAA Regulations.
• Ensure Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL), operational signage, boundary fencing, and navigational aids remain clear of vegetation and fully visible.
• Safely operate and maintain a range of specialised grounds maintenance machinery, tractors, power tools, and utility vehicles in line with manufacturer standards.
• To work safely using the appropriate available equipment such as mobile technology ensuring accurate documentation is recorded. To report any occurrences/conditions to the line manager that are unsafe including activities, accidents, hazards, vehicles, machinery and equipment defects. Set a positive and safe working environment by ensuring a high standard of personal behaviour at all times.
• Deliver daily soft FM services across car parks, public walkways, terminal surrounds, and operational landside/airside sectors, including litter picking, bin emptying, waste segregation, and pressure washing.
• Conduct routine inspections and minor repairs of surface defects, fencing, line markings, and signage, alongside utility meter readings and traffic management support.
• Participate fully in the departments winter operations plan, conducting manual and mechanical de-icing, gritting, and snow clearance, walkways, and access roads to maintain a safe, compliant operational environment.
• Respond flexibly to urgent reactive maintenance, severe weather events, or operational incidents to support team resilience.
• Follow instructions, manage daily workloads efficiently, and record work details accurately using mobile tech/digital systems.
• Adhere strictly to airfield safety protocols, risk assessments, and PPE requirements, immediately reporting hazards, defects, near-misses, or equipment issues to line management.
• Maintain high standards of professional conduct when interacting with passengers, airport stakeholders, contractors, and council staff.
• Work collaboratively within the wider Engineering & Facilities team, undertaking cross-service training to develop multi-skilled capabilities.

The Successful Candidate

Applicants should have significant experience in grounds maintenance or horticultural operations, and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to work collaboratively with colleagues, contractors, and external stakeholders. Applicants will be proactive, highly organised and motivated to contribute to the successful reopening and growth of Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Successful applicants will require a driving licence and pass an airside driver training course; you will also be required to undergo enhanced security clearance checks.

What We Offer

In return, you will have the opportunity to play a vital role in the successful relaunch of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and help shape the future of one of the UK's newest and most exciting airports.

We offer a competitive benefits package, including:

• Leading defined benefit pension scheme with generous employer contributions.
• 29 days annual leave (rising to 34 days after 5 years' service) plus 8 bank holidays.
• Eligibility for Shared Cost AVCs.
• Relocation package of up to £8,500.
• Broad range of family-friendly workplace policies.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Cycle to Work and Home Technology salary sacrifice schemes.
• Wide range of employee discounts and wellbeing benefits.
• Financial wellbeing support, including affordable loans.
• Free access to Occupational Health, counselling and physiotherapy services.
• Access to on-site gym facilities.
• Free on-site parking.

If you are passionate about creating safe, compliant and resilient operations and want to be part of an exciting new chapter for Doncaster Sheffield Airport, we would love to hear from you.

Please ensure you view the job summary as you will need to demonstrate in your application form how you meet the required criteria.

It is anticipated shortlisting will take place week commencing 16th November 2026 and that interviews will be held on week commencing 30th November 2026.

For further details and for completed applications please email – DSARecruitment@doncaster.gov.uk

If you require support with completing the application or with interview skills in general, please contact the Advance team via email advanceemploymenthub@doncaster.gov.uk or visit their website www.advancedoncaster.co.uk for further details.