Seasonal Groundsperson

Salary: Scale 3 SCP 7–9 £26,403 – £27,254 per annum. Weekend enhancement and irregular hours may be earned.

Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday to Sunday) plus additional hours as required. Evening and weekend working may be required. Start and finish times will vary depending on work location.

JOB PURPOSE:

The post holder will work as part of the outdoor spaces maintenance team under the direction of a Head Grounds person/team leader. The role involves basic and skilled work in parks, playing fields, landscaped areas and open spaces, individually or as part of a team.

The post holder will work flexibly regarding time, place and type of work within the Borough in amenity horticulture, including care and maintenance of buildings, sports equipment, sports facilities, general amenity areas, parks and play areas. Duties must be carried out efficiently and effectively to achieve personal and team tasks within set timescales.

The post holder will develop competence in the use of plant and equipment and provide customer care services at parks and sports grounds.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Carry out horticultural operations including planting trees, shrubs and plants.

Carry out grass cutting, hedge cutting and pruning.

Undertake soil cultivation, fertiliser spreading, site preparation and construction labouring.

Carry out sports facility maintenance including preparation and construction labouring.

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

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

Assist higher graded gardeners.

Open and close park facilities including setting alarms.

Maintain grounds including sweeping, hoeing, raking, mowing, edging and litter removal.

Maintain buildings including cleaning and moving equipment and materials.

Decide on closure of sports facilities due to weather or vandalism.

Use powered hand tools and light plant, including routine maintenance, operational checks, defect reporting and record keeping.

Maintain tools and equipment including cleaning and basic mower maintenance.

Complete administrative duties related to grounds maintenance.

Supervise parks and sports facilities, ensure public conduct in line with Council Byelaws, maintain safety and handle complaints.

Provide training to allocated staff within competency.

Drive allocated vehicles including ride-on mowers, tractors, pick-ups and vans, including routine checks, cleaning and record keeping.

Maintain vehicles, plant equipment and tools including checks, defect reporting and cleaning.

Apply chemical pest control methods under instruction.

Distribute and collect questionnaires and surveys.

Undertake duties in other Environmental Services areas such as waste and cemeteries.

Carry out other relevant duties appropriate to the grade.

Experience

• Six months’ experience in two or more of the following:

▪ Operating grass cutting machinery

▪ Horticulture skills

▪ Sports attendant duties

Key skills, knowledge and attributes

• Ability to work as part of a team

• Good communication skills

• Excellent customer care skills

• Ability to work on own initiative with minimal supervision

• Ability to meet deadlines

• Commitment to quality work

• Commitment to safe working

Driving

• Full current driving licence valid in the UK including category B

Working arrangements/flexibility

37 hours per week (Monday to Sunday) plus additional hours as required. Evening and weekend working may be required. Start and finish times will vary depending on work location.