School Groundskeeper

School Groundskeeper

A full time, permanent position has arisen, at Charterhouse school, for an enthusiastic and motivated School Groundskeeper.

The Grounds

Our stunning grounds cover 250 acres and comprise 135 acres of playing fields including 16 football pitches, 1 rugby pitch, 1 lacrosse pitch, 9 cricket squares, all-weather cricket nets, 13 hard tennis courts (due to increase to 15), 12 all-weather tennis courts, 3 all-weather hockey pitches, 1 athletics tartan running track plus field sports areas. There is a 35-acre 9-hole golf course covering 2,576 yards.

Ornamental lawns and gardens are present in and around the school buildings, boarding houses and the Old Headmaster’s Garden. There are also 60 acres of woodlands, some of which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Basic Purpose of the School Groundskeeper Job

To undertake the maintenance of sports surfaces including artificial playing surfaces, amenity areas and woodland areas to a high standard.

Main Duties

• To undertake routine preparation and maintenance work on a range of sports facilities and surfaces (this will include football, cricket, golf, artificial surfaces etc.)
• To set up sports pitches and amenity surfaces and undertake minor construction and landscaping work.
• To operate a range of modern turf machinery, ensuring vehicles and equipment used by yourself and others are regularly maintained, in accordance with routine operating requirements.
• To operate a range of powered hand tools such as strimmers, hedge cutters and flymo.
• To undertake a range of horticultural operations such as spreading of fertilisers (granular or liquid)
• To maintain hedges around the estate.
• In autumn/winter ensure leaves are cleared.
• To clear snow and apply salt in icy conditions during the winter months.
• To undertake a range of tree and woodland maintenance operations.
• To maintain and repair boundary and internal fencing as and when required.
• To work outside normal school hours, including regular weekend duties, with due notice being given.

Health & Safety

• To follow and comply with health and safety policies and have a sound knowledge of appropriate PUWER and LOLER procedures.
• To ensure the safe use, storage, calibration and disposal of pesticides and other similar substances (COSHH regulations).
• Ensure work area is kept clean, tidy and secure at all times.
• To maintain an accurate log of HAV’s usage.
• To carry out machinery risk assessment as per procedures in place (e.g. chainsaw risk assessment).
• To keep up to date knowledge of Health & Safety legislation.
• To attend any mandatory training as and when required.

Additional duties

• To be able to communicate effectively with school management, pupils and general public with tact, diplomacy and patience.
• To inform the line manager when products and materials are low for ordering.
• Carry out such other tasks deemed necessary and reasonable within the Grounds Department at the Grounds Manager’s discretion.

Relevant Experience/Knowledge & Technical Competencies

Essential:

A can do attitude and a readiness to work.

Experience in sports turf maintenance

Desirable:

Basic Health and Safety training

Qualifications

Desirable:

Hold recognized groundskeeping qualifications. E.g Level 2 in sports turf management

Qualifications and/or training in the use of powered machinery, COSHH, manual handling although training can be given in these areas if required

Personal Competencies / Skills - School Groundskeeper

• Physically fit as this role requires extensive manual handling
• Able to understand and follow instructions
• Able to work on own initiative and unsupervised
• Thrives on attention to detail and a completer-finisher
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Enjoys teamwork and is a team player

Working Hours

Normal working days are Monday to Friday (07:30-16:30), with an hour unpaid for lunch throughout the year, with the need for periodic outside normal working hours, including weekend duties, as required by the Grounds Manager, reasonable notice having been given.

Salary - School Groundskeeper

c£32,000 per annum depending on skills and experience of the candidate.

Closing date for applications is Friday 16th August 2024

We are creating an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity are seen and valued - for our pupils, for our staff. A culture that supports the enduring Charterhouse education provided to pupils in our global and multicultural environment. Join us now to be a part of it.