Groundsperson

Title: Grounds Person

Reports to: Head of Grounds

Location: Various club sites including Vitality Stadium & Academy training ground

Hours: 35 hours per week ranged over 5 days between Monday-Sunday

2 positions available with Immediate start.

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 at Vitality Stadium.

An ongoing recruitment drive is being undertaken at the club, with key off-field appointments having been made already across our business operations, ticketing, and partnerships functions, in an effort to continue improving the experience for our supporters.

Job Purpose

We are looking for a skilled (or working towards) Grounds Person on a permanent full-time basis to join the grounds team, to assist in the maintenance of the club's grounds at Vitality Stadium, the training ground and academy sites.

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 highest standards.

Main Duties

• Undertake routine maintenance work of playing surfaces and landscape as detailed on work schedules or as directed by supervisor.
• The safe use and operation of equipment and machinery used in surface maintenance.
• Inform supervisor, where appropriate, take corrective action on mechanical defects or breakdown of equipment.
• Work at the either of 2 sites Stadium/Training Ground and/or Academy.
• Carry out grass cutting, line marking, aeration, scarification, divoting, brushing, weeding, debris clearance, litter picking, pressure washing, pitch set up, hedge cutting, spraying.
• Assist in the specialist maintenance of the clubs’ grounds.
• 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.
• Assisting with the teams/players and/or public who may have questions or need assistance.
• 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.

Key Knowledge

• Qualified to (or working towards) a minimum of ND2 / NVQ 2 (or equivalent) in Sports Turf or Horticulture (Essential)
• Industry related experience (Essential)
• Driving licence (Essential)
• Spraying certificates PA1, PA2 and PA6 (Desirable)

Personal Specification

The Club’s values are at the core of its staff behaviour and how they approach everything they do, therefore we are looking for someone is honest, inclusive, kind, hardworking and loyal.

Staff Benefits

In return for your hard work and commitment to us, you will receive a competitive reward package which will include, but is not limited to:

• 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.
• Contribution towards eye tests and glasses.
• Discounts and benefits from partners and local businesses.
• Club pension & Life Assurance Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) by Health Assured.
• 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.

Please send your application form to jobs@afcb.co.uk by 12th February 2025.

The Club reserves the right to close this vacancy before the proposed deadline should it deem appropriate.

AFC Bournemouth is an equal opportunities employer and ensures staff and volunteers are able to achieve their full potential.

We take pride in our approach to diversity and inclusion and embrace the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society. We take our responsibility seriously, to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

We actively encourage applications from women, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from ethnically diverse communities.

For further information on accessibility within the stadium please click here.

AFC Bournemouth is committed to protecting all children, young persons, and adults at risk in its care or attending its premises and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment.

For all positions where a DBS check is required, an offer of employment will be subject to receipt of satisfactory disclosure at the appropriate level.

Any and all potential agreements, relationships or commitments that could be considered a conflict of interest should be disclosed upon application to this vacancy by emailing jobs@afcb.co.uk. You will also be asked whether you have any conflicts to disclose upon receipt of your application.

Satisfactory references will be required for all positions, your eligibility to work with the club will be subject to receiving appropriate referencing.

We strive to create a positive and safe environment and ensure all who interact with the club feel safe, protected, and heard.

AFC Bournemouth can exercise their right to perform external searches and to confirm information provided by candidates . It does not retain any data during this process.