Groundsperson

We are looking for a passionate and dedicated Groundsperson who is looking for a new opportunity that provides plenty of variety and challenges which allow you to learn, develop and enhance your skillset within an educational environment.

The successful applicant will be able to work independently as well as within a team to which they will help contribute to and improve upon the day-to-day maintenance tasks and setting up of the many different sports surfaces we have across the school

The Groundsperson is a key team member whose role is pivotal in ensuring the high standard and efficient running of the school’s sports grounds of some 32 acres. The grounds include Cricket, Rugby, Football, two All-weather Hockey/Tennis surfaces and Athletics.

A high standard of customer service is essential in the role, which is responsible for a prestigious school sports ground that caters for over 1000 pupils, their parents and visiting schools. The Grounds staff team consists of four people.

The Groundsperson is employed by the School within the Bursary, Support Staff Team.  Directly responsible to the Estates Grounds Manager, also based at the Sports site.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• To play an important role and take personal pride in ensuring that students, staff, parents and visitors have the best possible experience of using the playing fields, grounds and site facilities. 
• The preparation (creation, marking out, setting up etc) and general maintenance of playing surfaces for sports is to the highest recognised industry standard for surface presentation. 
• Specific tasks involved:  Mowing, spiking, slitting, topdressing, fertilising, line marking, undertaking pitch repairs and all other general maintenance of sports surfaces
• The safe use and operation of equipment and machinery required to complete the grounds maintenance tasks, such as tractors, ride-on mowers, hand mowers, leaf blowers, rollers and all other machinery associated with Sports turf preparation.
• Take active steps to maintain the cleanliness, organisation and safe storage of equipment and materials used and required ongoing to complete the wide range of tasks.
• Work with the manager on the mechanical upkeep of equipment, ensuring that all machinery is checked prior to safe usage and the appropriate equipment if used for each task. 
• Assist the manager in identifying and correcting mechanical, equipment issues where possible and when needed, work effectively with external service providers to facilitate equipment being maintained in a timely and efficient manner, avoiding negative impacts to seasonal works.
• Possess and apply practical and thorough knowledge of health and safety matters relating to grounds work, equipment, materials, chemicals etc needed to complete tasks.  Actively undertake and promote safe working practices at all times with the team.
• Adhere to current Health and Safety legislation and best practice in line with the Schools Health and Safety Policy, arrangements and specific risk assessments for the activities undertaken. 
• Be aware and take responsibility for own safety needs, and the safety of others who may be affected by your actions and tasks.   Be assertive and take positive action to “call out” or stop work if the nature of the situation involves a risk of injury to any person.  Report any concerns without delay and work positively with your manager and team to find solutions
• Be willing to participate in inhouse and external training programmes to refresh existing or gain new skills and knowledge for the job and in line with legislative and school requirements.
• Be willing to support general upkeep tasks and site safety/security matters on site and regarding the different buildings – keeping a watchful eye out for unexpected vehicles, visitors and so on.
• Be willing to support the range of events that take place at the site such as Festival evenings, Staff socials, external Marketing or special Sports events etc.  All planned and agreed in advance.
• Fully participate in the rota duties including some weekend coverage and be open to other duties as may reasonably be required as this role and school activities evolve and develop.

Person Specification 

• Have an active interest in Sport and outdoor pursuits.
• Be confident and capable to work on your own for specific tasks but also have an interest and positive attitude about being part of a team and equally capable of working effectively with team colleagues as the wide and varied task/s may require. 
• Be willing to contribute positively and cheerfully with a “can do” attitude.
• Be flexible and prepared to share the workload and tasks including duty rota coverage at weekends.
• Have a good sense of humour and the ability to form good, professional and friendly relationships with internal and external colleagues.
• Have a desire to understand the theoretical, as well as the practical, knowledge of the role.

Qualifications and Experience – Key requirements

• Have a proven record in ground maintenance to a high standard.
• Have experience and knowledge of soil formation, composition, texture and structure.
• Hold a Level 2 in Sports Turf Management or equivalent
• Hold relevant certificates (PA1 and PA6) for the storage and application of pesticides in accordance with FEPA and COSHH regulations
• Understand nitrogen and carbon cycles when making decisions on the application of fertilisers.
• Cricket pitch maintenance
• Have sound knowledge of the Health and Safety practices particularly in relation to Grounds maintenance requirements and associated matters
• Holder of a UK driving licence.
• Have knowledge and a keen interest in sports - rugby, hockey, cricket, football, tennis, athletics
• Be willing to undertake further training and development to fill any knowledge or skills gap in the job requirements to operate at the highest level of competency required in this role.

Desirable

• PA2 Tractor Mounted Spraying Certificate
• First Aid at Work qualification