Groundsperson

Job content

THE DEPARTMENT: Grounds & Gardens

THE ROLE: We are looking for a positive and enthusiastic Groundsperson to join our experienced and well-respected team of 12 grounds staff. You will report directly to the Head Groundsman and be responsible for ensuring that the College’s extensive and varied sports fields and campus continue to provide an attractive and inspiring setting for us all to enjoy.

The College continues to invest heavily in its outdoor spaces, including around 10HA of new sports pitches innovative irrigation systems and in state-of-the-art machinery. You will be joining the College at an exciting time in its history as we prepare to celebrate our centenary and open our multi-million-pound Science Centre.

This is an exciting role offering opportunities for development and training.

RESPONSIBILITIES: To include but not limited to:

• Cricket pitch preparation
• Sports pitch marking
• Spraying and fertilising
• Pitch renovation
• Grass cutting
• Tractor and machinery driving
• Hand mowing
• Strimming
• Hedge cutting

PERSON SPECIFICATION: The Groundsperson should display an enthusiasm and passion for sports turf and have an extensive knowledge of sports turf and use of tractors and machinery. You will have at least 3 years’ experience in a similar role and be physically fit.

QUALIFICATION: The successful candidate will have a good standard of education, including a minimum of NVQ2 (or equivalent) in sports turf/greenkeeping or at least 5 years’ experience. Ideally you will possess chainsaw certificates and spraying qualification or a willingness to gain these. A full, clean UK driving licence is essential.

• Qualified to a minimum of N.V.Q 2 in sports turf or equivalent
• With a minimum of 2 years practical experience
• PA1,PA2,PA6 (Preferable)
• CS30 & CS36 Chain saw certificates (preferable)
• I,O,G Cricket training levels 1& 2 (preferable)

DIRECT LINE MANAGER: Head Groundsman

PAY: Your salary will be £22,000 – 24,000 per annum. This will be paid on a monthly basis by BACS on the last working day of each month into your Bank Account or Building Society.

HOURS: 40 hours per week, on a Monday to Friday basis for 52 weeks of the year. Your actual hours of work should be worked between the hours of 8.00am-4.30pm (April to September) and 8.00am-4.30pm Monday-Thursday and 8.00am-3.30pm Fridays (October to March) with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break on each.

HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT: Our holiday year runs from the 1st September each year. Paid holiday entitlement accrues at the rate of 28 days for each complete calendar year, based on an average of 5 working days, plus Bank Holidays. If you start or leave during the holiday year or work less than 5 days per week the holiday entitlement of 28 days is applied pro rata.

BENEFITS & PENSION: Benefits associated with the position include death in service cover. You may be eligible after three months service to our Group Medical Insurance Scheme and College’s contributory Group Personal Pension Scheme; premiums of both schemes are paid by the individual. Use of the College sports facilities. Lunches will be provided during term time only (when working hours go over a lunch break).

HEALTH AND SAFETY: All members of staff must comply with Health and Safety legislation and policies and Equal Opportunities policies.

CHILD PROTECTION: School child protection procedures must be adhered to. All staff are required to attend a Child Protection course run in-house during their induction period, which covers confidentiality aspects of working as a team.

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING CHECK (DBS): All new employees at Lord Wandsworth College can only be employed once a Criminal Background Check and Children’s Barred List check has been carried out by the DBS, and satisfactory references have been obtained.

DATA PROTECTION ACT: All members of staff are bound by the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and any breaches of the Act or of the confidential nature of the work of this post could lead to dismissal. As such you will be expected to comply with statutory Data Protection and implement good practice in data handling processes.

DISCIPLINARY AND GRIEVANCE PROCESS: The College complies with the Acas statutory Code of Practise on discipline and grievance, providing practical guidance to employees, their representatives and the line manager and sets out principles for handling disciplinary and grievance situations in the workplace.

EMPLOYMENT POLICES: For further information on all College policies including the Disciplinary and Grievance process, please access the VLE/Resources/Staff/Polices on the following link: http://vle.lordwandsworth.org/policies

RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING: All employees have the responsibility to take part in any appropriate in-house or off-site courses or training that are deemed necessary for performance of the role.

INDUCTION: The school follows an established induction programme for new staff comprising mandatory training for all those working in education. Appropriate training will be offered.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Any further employment or application questions should be directed to the HR Assistant, Tuesday Drummond on [email protected] or Alternatively for an informal discussion about the role email the Head Gardener, Jane at [email protected]