Groundsperson

Groundsperson

Tonbridge School has over 150 acres of superbly maintained playing fields and sports pitches.

Our Grounds team maintain and prepare all sports pitches across the school’s 150-acre site, including artificial sports surfaces (Astros), the athletics track and tennis court surfaces for cricket, rugby, football and hockey. Sports facilities are extensively used by the boys throughout the week and on Saturdays with a focus on rugby in the Michaelmas term, hockey in the Lent term and cricket in the Summer term.

We are looking to recruit a full time Groundsperson to join the team. The successful candidate is likely to have experience of mowing, marking and renovation of pitches, preparation and maintenance of cricket squares and competency with mowers and using power tools.

Main duties:
• To prepare and maintain grass pitches for rugby, football, cricket and synthetic surfaces for hockey, tennis, and athletics.
• To ensure that a high standard of work is maintained at all times in accordance with job requirements.
• To ensure that all tasks are carried out in a safe and proper manner, following all relevant Health and Safety regulations and guidance.
• To operate and maintain machinery safely and effectively, following Risk Assessments and in accordance with Health and Safety regulations.
• To attend appropriate training and professional development.
• To be fully understand and comply with the necessary overtime requirements of the job.
• To undertake any other grounds-related duties as required by the Head of Grounds.

Hours of work:
Full-time, 39 hours per week.

Monday to Thursday 8.00am to 4.30pm, and Friday 8.00am to 3.30pm.
Some flexibility may be negotiated, by mutual agreement, to meet the demands of the School.

Compulsory Overtime is required as follows:

Mid-April to early July:
Every Saturday from 8.00am to 12 noon
Approximately 1 in 4 Saturdays from 8.00am to 8.00pm
Occasional Sundays - approximately 2 per year

September to mid-December:
Approximately 1 in 4 Saturdays from 8.00am to 5.00pm

January to March:
Approximately 1 in 4 Saturdays from 8.00am to 5.00pm

Plus: Occasional midweek overtime as required

Overtime paid at time and a half on Saturdays and double time on Sundays.

Skills and abilities:
• Excellent people skills with the ability to build relationships quickly and to interact in a pleasant and professional manner.
• Hardworking, dependable, and professional approach to work.
• Ability to work on own initiative and also within a team, taking direction as required.
• Self-motivated, flexible and pro-active with a ‘can do’ attitude.
• Reliable, honest and trustworthy.
• Highly efficient with the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Full driving licence would be desirable.

Experience:
• Experience with maintaining sports pitches and surfaces would be preferable.
• Competency with mowers and using power tools would be desirable.
• Awareness of Health and Safety and safe working practices.
• Experience of working in a similar role in a sporting environment would be an advantage.

Salary:
Up to £25,281 per annum, dependant on qualifications, skills and experience.

Generous benefits package including:
• Holiday entitlement plus statutory bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Lunch free of cost in term time
• Staff fee remission
• Staff rates for Sports Centre membership
• Staff car parking

Closing Date: Tuesday 28 March 2023 at 12.00noon

To apply and to find out more information about the role, please visit Tonbridge School website.

Tonbridge School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.