Parks and Environment Officer

About this job

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham has gone through a range of Transformational Change Programmes to better manage demand and ensure a more effective and efficient service delivery over the last few years. As we continue to redesign and reshape our service in Public Realm, a number of exciting and challenging opportunities have arisen for enthusiastic, focused and committed individuals in our environmental operations to help improve the future of our service.

All candidates will need to show a track record of delivering high quality services and demonstrate a commitment to teamwork and high levels of customer service. To be responsible for undertaking a range of grounds maintenance tasks, including the use of ride-on and pedestrian controlled machines, powered hand tools and equipment. To be responsible for the resources and staff within your team, to lead and deploy staff to ensure agreed schedules are achieved.

To provide driving provision with specific relation to a range of vehicles within the service. This will include vehicles relating to street cleaning and grounds maintenance. Where appropriate and trained, provide specialist grave digging and cemetery services delivery which includes cemetery grounds maintenance and the care, inspection and repair of memorials. The role involves Team Leading multi skilled front line teams and working outdoors. You will be expected to work with a degree of flexibility to ensure that the service is maintained during operational difficulties or special events.

Interviews will take place week commencing 24th August 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undertake a short assessment prior to their interview. Full details of this assessment will be provided upon notification of shortlisting. Contractual Terms and Conditions of all Roles The role requires successful candidates to attend Monday to Friday. Hours of work are generally 7am to 3pm. If you’re committed and passionate about delivering great customer service and have a good understanding of Grounds Maintenance operational services across the borough, we would welcome an application from you. We welcome applications from residents within the borough of Barking and Dagenham and encourage women to apply as they are underrepresented in the workforce.

Special requirements for this post

• To be in charge of team leader duties for resources and staff on your team, as well as to lead and deploy staff to ensure schedules are met.
• To resolve complex customer enquiries and complaints as they arise during the service's operation, reporting to the Line Manager as needed, making recommendations and taking appropriate action.
• To be in charge of driving a variety of selective and HGV vehicles as a resource in all areas of the service, such as street cleaning and grounds maintenance.
• To be in charge of plant and vehicles such as tractors, ride-on mowers, pedestrian mowers, and small plant.
• Record and report findings before delivering to a workshop for repair.
• Perform various grounds maintenance tasks such as grass cutting, raking, edging, weeding, sweeping, and litter picking.
• Checking that permits presented by memorial masons are in accordance with the work performed.
• To perform exhumation of human remains as needed.
• To provide funeral services support, including liaison with the Funeral Director, Clergy, and the Bereaved.
• To accompany the cortege to the graveside and supervise the proper burial and service completion.

About you

We are looking for a Team Leader to work in the Parks and Environment service. You will be responsible for team leader duties for resources and staff within your team, as well as leading and deploying staff to ensure schedules are met.

You will have knowledge of various plants and machinery used in environmental services, as well as a solid understanding of horticulture. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, the ability to communicate at all levels, and the ability to value people with diverse skills and perspectives.

About us

Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here.

Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here.

Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes.

We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity.

Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people.

We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger.

#ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what’s best for the future of Barking and Dagenham.

As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do.

Our values, known as

• DRIVE, shape how we work: Deliver our best every day – and do what we promise
• Respond in a prompt, positive way to our community’s needs
• Inspire others with our attitudes and actions
• Value people for who they are and what they can do
• Engage with others to improve our resilience and flexibility We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.