Grounds Person - Stadium Lead

AFC Bournemouth are looking for a skilled Grounds Person on a permanent full-time basis to join the grounds team, for the lead role in the maintenance of the clubs ground at the Vitality Stadium.

Reporting to the Head of Grounds, the successful candidate will have an enthusiasm for the industry, ambition to improve themselves, and thrive to present the clubs playing surfaces to the very highest standards.

Key Responsibilities

Carryout grass cutting, line marking, aeration, scarification, top dressing, divoting, brushing, weeding, debris clearance, litter picking, pressure washing, pitch set up, hedge cutting, spraying, lighting rigs, pitch renovations, irrigation, under soil heating,

• Undertake routine maintenance work of the stadium playing surface as detailed on work schedules or as agreed with Head of Grounds to the very highest standards.
• The safe use and operation of equipment and machinery used in surface maintenance.
• Inform Head of Grounds, where appropriate, take corrective action on mechanical defects or breakdown of equipment.
• Any other duties that the Head of Grounds sees fit, providing that such duties are appropriate to the post.
• Safety Awareness In accordance with Health and Safety regulations the jobholder is required to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of the persons who may be affected by their activities.
• Work place predominantly at the Stadium but also Training Ground and Academy sites when needed to Deputise for the Head of Grounds.
• Maintain Health & Safety to you and others at all times.
• Assist in the specialist maintenance of the clubs grounds.
• Supervise the stadium grounds team on a day-to-day basis.
• Take part in any in-house training as deemed necessary.
• Keep and maintain in good and clean condition all plant, tools and equipment belonging to the club.
• To be trained on machinery used on the grounds.
• Keep and maintain in good condition all plant tools and equipment used by the team.
• Dealing with the teams/players and/or public who may have questions or need assistance.
• You will be required to be helpful, polite and respectful towards anyone as part of your work.
• As a member of staff to ensure in all matters, you follow and actively promote the club’s mental health policies and practices to ensure an open, non-judgmental and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.
• As a member of staff to ensure that you to adhere to the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures and are committed to our safeguarding values, creating a safe and positive environment for all those who interact with the club.
• Obligation to adhere to the club’s health and safety policy and procedures.
• As a member of staff to ensure in all matters you follow and actively promote the club’s equality policies and practices to ensure a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Qualified to (or working towards) a minimum of ND3 / NVQ 3 (or equivalent) in Sports Turf / Horticulture (Essential)
• Industry related experience (Essential)
• Driving Licence (Essential)
• Spraying certificates PA1,PA2 and PA6 (Essential)

Benefits

• Free onsite parking.
• Season ticket and allocation of complimentary/purchased tickets.
• Subsidised lunches and complimentary healthy snacks throughout the day.
• Discounts at the club Superstore.
• Access to Health Cash Plan with Simplyhealth.
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Contribution towards eye tests and glasses.
• Discounts and benefits from partners and local businesses.
• Club pension & Life Assurance Scheme.
• Paid parental leave (bank of five days per year).
• Club events or other social events throughout the year run by our club social team.
• Paid volunteer opportunities (2 days per year).
• Paid day’s leave on your birthday.

About AFC Bournemouth

Having established the start of an exciting new chapter in our long and storied history since a takeover in 2022 by chairman Bill Foley, AFC Bournemouth has seen significant investment committed towards sustaining Premier League status.

The construction of a state-of-the-art training facility alongside the arrival of promising young talent from top clubs around Europe have provided the club with a fantastic platform from which to build its on-field expectations.

We have placed an importance on maintaining the same focus on family and community that we have proudly displayed over the years, and delivering that engagement with our loyal supporters is a passionate and integrated backroom staff, working closely together to provide a positive and lasting experience for all.