Grounds Person

Grounds Person (Preparatory School)

Responsible to: Head of Grounds (Preparatory School)

Primary Responsibility: Preparation and maintenance of all sports playing

surfaces and general estate duties as directed by the

Head of Grounds.

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week

7.30am to 4.00pm (with 1 hour lunch break)

Full time, full year position.

Responsibilities:

The main responsibilities include:

• Mowing, aeration and fertilising: tractor mounted and pedestrian machinery;

• Line Marking: Initial setting out and mark and weekly over marking;

• Cricket pitch preparation and maintenance: Mowing, scarifying, rolling, marking, autumn renovation and ensuring pitches are protected from inclement weather;

• Driving a utility vehicle or similar;

• All sports surface preparation including grass, hardstanding and artificial turf;

• Winter sports pitch preparation and maintenance to include synthetic sports surfaces;

• Leaf clearing, litter picking, bin clearance, and debris clearing;

• Goal post erection, dismantling, storage and maintenance;

• Snow clearing, salt spreading and gritting;

• Roping off and preparing for events;

• Carry out car parking duties as required;

• To keep borders, thoroughfares and highway footpaths clear and free from litter at all times;

• Working flexible hours when required including occasional Saturdays and/or evenings;

• Assisting with tasks at the Warwick Road campus if and when required;

• Undertaking any other tasks as considered reasonable by the Grounds Manager or Bursar;

• Basic maintenance of the Grounds Machinery;

• To assist in the efficient running of the Grounds Workshop;

• Liaising with and supporting the gardens team as appropriate.

General:

• Promoting welfare and safety of all members of the school community, and adherence to the school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy;

• Support the aims of the school;

• Support all members of the school community with respect and consideration;

• Set a good example to pupils in terms of appropriate dress, standards of punctuality and attendance;

• Actively support the values of the school at all times;

• Take responsibility for professional development, participating in staff training including INSET days where required, and the school’s CPD and professional development procedures;

• Participate in the management of the school by attending meetings as required;Reviewed February 2022

• Adhere to the Health & Safety Policy, ensuring that all tasks are carried out safely and effectively with due regard to the health and safety of all members of the school community, including visitors and the post-holder.

• To operate machinery in a safe and effective manner in accordance with the operators

manuals with due regard to Health and Safety instructions and Risk Assessments.

• To clean and maintain machinery and equipment to maintain good working order.

Other:

The Job Description is subject to:

• Other reasonable requests by negotiation with the Grounds Manager, Bursar and

Head of the Preparatory School.

• Annual Review

• This job description may change along with the needs of the school and in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification: Grounds Person (Preparatory School)

Essential Desirable

Qualifications Willingness to undertake training and development appropriate to the role.

NVQ3 (or equivalent qualification) or above in relevant subject (i.e. Sports Turf or Horticulture)

PA1 and PA6 Spraying Qualification

Full UK driving licence

Experience Previous experience of undertaking Grounds or Horticultural tasks to a high standard

Previous experience of working in an educational environment

Knowledge and Skills

Ability to lift, operate machinery and work outside A working knowledge of Health and Safety Legislation Good level of knowledge of marking, maintenance and upkeep of a variety of playing surfaces

Excellent organisational skills and the ability to multi-task

Manual Handling Training

Prior experience of solving problems with different playing surfaces

Awareness and understanding of safeguarding and welfare of children

Personal Attributes

• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Ability to reflect upon and improve own practice
• Ability to develop excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Organised and able to prioritise workload when required
• Excellent attention to detail and high quality of work
• Ability to work on own initiative, work without direct supervision and solve problems
• A team-player
• An exemplary degree of personal integrity
• Physical and mental capacity to undertake the role
• Ability to draw clear, calm boundaries when appropriate
• Common Sense
• The capacity to remain calm and cope with the unexpected 
• Highly professional manner
• Ability to problem solve