Horticulture Level Apprentice

Location:

You will be based at Newmills Road, Coleraine, BT52 2JB, however, when required you will be asked to work flexibly throughout the Council areas, ensuring that resources are deployed effectively and in order to fulfil training needs and to facilitate professional development.

Responsible for:

Working as part of the Grounds Maintenance team to develop skills, knowledge and experience in the areas of grounds maintenance and horticulture. The apprentice will contribute to the Grounds Maintenance functions and services including but not limited to:

• Grass cutting (eg pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts, golf courses, parks and open spaces)

• Cemetery duties

• Nursery duties including summer and winter planting

• Maintenance of parks and open spaces

• Assisting of other departments

Work pattern:

37 hours per week, Monday – Friday (inclusive of formal training hours as specified by the training course).

Tenure:

This is a fixed term apprentice position for two years aligned with the completion of Level 2 Apprenticeship Diploma in Horticulture.

Main Purpose of Post

1. To undertake the Level 2 Apprenticeship Diploma in Horticulture qualification, participating in day release formal training to achieve the successful completion of the qualification.

2. To work as part of the Grounds Maintenance team to develop skills, knowledge and experience in the areas of grounds maintenance and horticulture.

3. Assist Grounds Maintenance staff with horticulture, gardening and general grounds maintenance works in Council facilities, public parks, sports grounds, cemeteries and similar open spaces, to the standards required.

4. To present a courteous attitude at all times by assisting with the promotion of good working relationships between Council staff and members of the public. If and as required, deal with on-site complaints and queries or refer to your line manager as necessary.

5. Ensure that the department complies with all statutory and legislative requirements by adhering to these requirements and working in accordance with good governance and health and safety requirements.

6. Ensure that all responsibilities are carried out in a timely and effective manner and that general confidentiality is maintained in all areas relating to the work of the Council.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Work alongside the Council team to undertake horticulture, gardening and general grounds maintenance works in Council facilities, public parks, sports grounds and similar open spaces, to gain an understanding of the standards required.

2. Assist with a comprehensive range of multi-skilled practical tasks associated with the daily maintenance of grounds. This will include (but is not confined to) labouring, trench digging, fencing, drainage work, loading/unloading/delivery of materials etc and maintaining good housekeeping.

3. To give assistance, within your remit, in performance of duties and responsibilities with an emphasis on Health and Safety. Includes wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, working at heights ensuring adherence to risk assessments, method statements and where necessary, completing dynamic on-the-job risk assessments.

4. Assisting gardener/green keeper in a range of horticultural activities.

5. Cutting grass to specified standards in both sports and non-sports locations.

6. Operate grounds maintenance machinery such as ride-on mowers, power tools, tractors and associated plant.

7. Drive applicable Council vehicles including vans and other mechanical plant up to relevant Category B driving licence or Category B+E where the relevant licence is held. Complete and maintain daily records sheets relative to the operation of the vehicle. Ensure the vehicle / plant is cleaned and maintained inside and outside as directed by the Team Leader.

8. Assist with all general grounds tasks, including turf care, planting, shrub and tree pruning, removal of grass cuttings, leaves and litter etc.

9. Assist with seeding, propagation, planting, mulching, tending and weeding of flower and shrub beds.

10. Assist with general maintenance to hard/soft landscaping, eg edging of paths and paved areas and replacement of bark.

11. Assist with erection, inspection, maintenance, dismantling sports and play equipment, play park equipment including the movement of goal posts.

12. Assist with constructional labouring work and the safe operation of a range of assorted tools and equipment, including, eg erection/repair of fencing and path laying.

13. Ensure the safe use of machinery necessary to the performance of all work. Includes safe operation, daily / weekly operational checks (oil / water) and ensuring same are kept clean and serviceable.

14. Assist Team Lead in completion of all necessary paperwork eg weekly timesheets; accident report forms, vehicle / plant logbooks, inspection records, work schedules, dynamic risk assessment, work schedules, chemical applications and vehicle / plant logbooks.

15. Assist with cemetery duties including excavating, re-opening, exhuming, digging (mechanical / hand), attend committals, backfill and aftercare (sowing / turfing / grass cutting) of graves.

16. Cleaning, litter picking and general housekeeping duties.

17. As required, work flexibly with other works teams (outside of grounds maintenance) to ensure delivery of all Council services eg supporting delivery of Council events (including stewarding) and erection, inspections and minor repairs of festive lighting.

18. Support other agencies in times of emergency eg filling, delivery and placing of sandbags in flooded areas or snow clearance from footpaths

19. Report all accidents and near misses which may occur and report all incidents of damage to Council property / equipment.

20. In circumstances when littering is observed during the course of their duties pass the information to the Team Lead.

21. Carry out duties in all weather conditions unless it is felt health and safety is being compromised.

General

1. By its nature the post will require flexible working to meet the needs of the service. Attend meetings of the Council and any relevant working groups and prepare and present reports as required.

2. Act in accordance with the Code of Conduct for local Government employees.

3. Comply with and actively promote the Council’s policies and procedures, including those relating to Fair employment, Equal Opportunities, and Health, Safety and Wellbeing.

4. Comply with and actively promote the appropriate standard of record keeping and information governance practices in conducting duties of the post.

5. Undertake the duties outlined above in a way which will enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the Council.

6. Undertake any other duties as deemed appropriate to the achievement of the purpose and function of this post.

The list of duties/responsibilities must not be considered comprehensive nor exhaustive. They are simply a summary of the main duties/responsibilities that the post holder will be required to undertake. No Job Description can cover every issue that may arise within the post at various times and the post holder is expected to carry out other duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with those in this Job Description.

If the post holder has any form of disability, every effort will be made to supply all the necessary employment aids, equipment or adaptations to enable him/her to perform the full duties of the job. If, however, a certain task proves to be unachievable then job redesign will be given full consideration.