OS Park Keeper

Salary: Scale 4 SCP 9-13 £27,254 - £29,064 per annum, irregular hours and weekend enhancement may be earned

JOB PURPOSE:

Responsible for the undertaking of work in parks, playing fields, landscaped areas and open spaces to include waterways, maximising the benefit to the community either individually or as part of a team.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Carry out horticultural operations, including planting trees, shrubs and plants, grass cutting, hedge cutting and pruning.

Carry out labour associated with soil cultivation, fertiliser spreading, site preparation and constructional labouring.

Carry out routine checks, playground inspections, sports facility inspections as and when required to include emergency maintenance.

Maintain games facilities and areas including spiking, scarifying, top-dressing, fertilising and marking of games areas and erection/dismantling of posts.

Load, unload and move equipment and materials such as mowers, barrows, plants, soil, fertilisers, horticultural tools and sundries.

Routinely patrol open spaces and be responsible for opening and closing parks facilities as and when required to include the setting of alarms etc.

Maintain the orderly condition of grounds, i.e. sweeping, hoeing, raking, mowing, edging, removal of litter/rubbish/illegal dumping etc.

Maintain buildings, i.e. cleaning (sweeping, mopping and dusting), movement of equipment and materials (tables, chairs and machinery).

Make decisions on whether to close sports facilities due to adverse weather conditions or acts of vandalism.

Use powered hand tools and light plant to perform duties to include the use of vehicles such as ride on mowers etc.

Maintain all tools and equipment in a satisfactory condition including the cleaning of garden tools and basic cleaning and maintenance of lawnmowers.

Administrative duties associated with grounds maintenance work.

Supervise the use of parks, sports fields and facilities including maintenance of orderly conduct by the public in line with Council Bye-Laws and ensuring general safety, giving guidance and dealing with any complaints in relation to the relevant site.

Communicate on relevant matters with the community, police, emergency services and internal Council Security Services as required.

Give training to allocated staff within the competency of the post holder.

Drive allocated vehicles as required to include tractors.

Responsible for the care of and routine maintenance including post operational checks, defect reporting, cleaning of vehicles, plant equipment and tools, as assigned from time to time.

Carry out application of chemical pest control methods under instruction.

Taking and receipting of monies where appropriate.

Distribution and gathering of information by way of questionnaires and surveys.

Liaise with local community/interest groups, schools and other groups to promote the facilities and encourage good stewardship via events demonstrations, outdoor pursuits and guided walks and carry out interpretive duties as and when required.

Provide a first aid role.

Undertake any other relevant duties that may be required and are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.

Qualifications and Training

• The successful candidate will be expected to achieve the following within twelve months of taking up the post:

▪ The licence category to enable the operator to tow a trailer up to 3500kg (B+E)

▪ Pesticide application qualification PA

Experience

• At least twelve months’ experience in the following areas:

▪ Operating a variety of commercial grass cutting machinery

▪ Amenity horticulture skills and use of amenity horticultural equipment

▪ Sports ground maintenance

▪ Experience and competence in the use of tractors and tractor mounted equipment

Key Skills, Knowledge and Attributes

▪ Able to work as part of a team

▪ Good communication skills

▪ Able to work on own initiative with minimal supervision

▪ Able to work to deadlines

▪ Committed to quality work

▪ Committed to safe working

▪ Demonstrate an interest in Parks and liaising with the public

Special Circumstances

Current full driving licence B, K

Working Arrangements

• 37 hours per week worked on a 3 weeks’ rota basis, early shift commencing 5.45 am and late shift flexibility finishing up to 11 pm (see rota below).

The postholder may be required to work additional hours and outside normal working hours including public holidays, evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the post.