Drainage jobs in Chester

Beech Farm Estate is a regenerative and organic estate located along the banks of the River Dee in Cheshire. We are looking for a practical, reliable and hardworking Groundworker / Estate Worker to join our team and support a wide range of construction, groundworks and estate development projects.

This is a hands-on, physically demanding role with a strong focus on groundworks, excavation, drainage, construction and estate infrastructure. You will work across a variety of projects including track construction and maintenance, drainage improvements, fencing, site preparation, ducting, foundations and reinstatement.

Alongside this, you will support wider estate projects including habitat creation, land management and general estate maintenance. The role would suit someone from a groundworks, construction, agricultural contracting or similar practical background who enjoys working outdoors, operating machinery and seeing tangible results from their work.

Every day is different, so we are looking for someone adaptable, capable and willing to get stuck into whatever practical work is required.

The Role

• Carry out general groundworks including excavation, digging, levelling, demolition and site preparation.
• Install and maintain drainage systems, including ditch maintenance, grip clearing and drainage improvements.
• Install ducting, kerbing, foundations and prepare sites for concrete bases.
• Carry out reinstatement of a variety of surfaces following groundworks and construction activity.
• Construct, repair and maintain estate tracks, access routes and hardstanding areas.
• Support the construction, repair and maintenance of fencing, buildings and other estate infrastructure.
• Operate excavators/diggers, tractors and other estate machinery where suitably experienced and competent.
• Carry out manual groundwork including digging, shovelling, levelling and moving materials.
• Support tree planting, habitat creation and other environmental or land management projects across the estate.
• Assist with wider estate maintenance when required, including strimming, hedge cutting, weed control and vegetation clearance.
• Maintain tools, machinery and equipment, ensuring they are used safely and kept in good working order.
• Keep work areas, yards and storage spaces tidy, safe and organised.
• Work effectively as part of a small team while also being confident working independently and using initiative.

Skills & Attributes

• Previous experience in groundworks, construction, civil engineering, agricultural contracting, estate work or another practical land-based role.
• Strong practical ability and confidence carrying out physically demanding outdoor work.
• Experience operating excavators/diggers is highly desirable.
• Tractor and implement driving experience would be an advantage.
• Relevant plant qualifications or tickets, such as CPCS or NPORS, would be advantageous but are not essential for the right candidate.
• Experience of drainage, ducting, concreting, track work, fencing or general construction would be particularly useful.
• Confident using a range of hand tools, power tools and machinery.
• A practical, solution-focused approach with good common sense and problem-solving ability.
• A strong work ethic and a proactive, positive, can-do attitude.
• Willingness to take on varied tasks and adapt as estate priorities and projects change.
• Able to follow instructions, work safely and complete work to a high standard.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Takes pride in their work and in the care and maintenance of machinery and equipment.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• An interest in farming, land management, nature or biodiversity would be an advantage.

Details

• Groundworker-focused role, predominantly involving groundworks, construction and estate development projects.
• Varied outdoor role working across the estate and supporting wider development projects where required.
• Initial three-month contract with the potential for extension.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person