Senior Gardener / Grounds Person TLNT1_NI in Newtownards

The person appointed will be responsible for carrying out a range of horticultural, grounds and facility maintenance service tasks within all Parks & Cemeteries locations identified by the line manager either individually or as part of a team, ensuring all areas are well maintained, clean and presentable. To ensure effective communication with site users, other members of the team and line management. Assist in the community development of the Parks and Cemeteries Service through internal and external initiatives that engage Service stakeholders.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Carry out skilled horticultural, arboriculture, fine / sports turf and synthetic surface operations within Parks & Cemeteries facilities including all labour associated with planting and maintenance operations, ensuring operations are carried out at appropriate times and conditions and advise of potential hazards.
• Act as facility keyholder as required.
• Ensuring all allocated tasks are carried out appropriately and that permanent and seasonal staff within the team are utilised accordingly, including volunteers as and when required.
• Operate vehicles and various types of specialised horticultural machinery and equipment involved in the day-to-day operations of the Service including a wide range of powered tools and machinery.
• Maintain in a satisfactory condition including light maintenance and completion of daily checks and recording of same and reporting of defects before commencing work.
• Responsibility for allocated machinery and vehicle at all times, safe transport of personnel, equipment and material to and from site.
• Undertake traffic management signage and lane closures as required.
• Undertake all grounds maintenance works and inspections as required including grass and hedge cutting, litter collection, maintenance of horticultural features including weed control, cemetery duties, internal and external cleansing and play parks.
• Report to line manager any additional site maintenance needs or defects identified while carrying out operational tasks.
• Identification of horticultural pests and diseases and rectify using appropriate treatment and choice of products.
• Ensuring safe and proper storage and selection of chemicals and spraying equipment and the accurate calibration of same, keeping records regarding use and storage.
• Carry out inspections and cleaning of play parks to the required industry standard and make safe any defects found in play equipment and surfaces and record and report all defects to the Line Manager.
• Work with Parks & Cemeteries stakeholders including club officials, community groups, volunteers and other stakeholders as and when required.
• Assist in the training, instruction and direction of staff and volunteer placements with special consideration to Health & Safety of staff, public and others.
• Support the operation and implementation of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and develop opportunities for contributions to LBAP targets.
• Adhere to and comply with all Council policies and procedures relevant to this role, including arrangements for safety and risk management.
• Ensure appropriate use of IT Equipment, software and mobile phones where supplied.
• Carry out all specified, and any other relevant, duties to the highest of professional standards, protecting the reputation and always ensuring the integrity of the Council.
• Participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of the Service Plans responding to changing trends and stakeholder needs.
• Achieve high standards of personal performance, through meeting agreed personal targets and undertaking planned programmes of professional development.
• Examine opportunities to gain efficiencies and improve effectiveness including collaborative joint working and other innovative approaches to achieve a better public service.
• When required to do so, undertake other relevant duties associated with community events; street maintenance e.g. litter lifting and salting; and cemetery burial operations including manual & mechanical grave digging including shoring, shuttering and backfilling of grave plots.
• Undertake any other duties consistent with the level and nature of the post that may be allocated by management to include the interchange of duties to cover leave, employee vacancies or illness.

Note: The post holder may be expected to work outside hours at weekends, evenings and public holidays as dictated by the needs of the service.

Person Specification

The person specification provides information on the qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills required to carry out the duties of the post. The essential criteria will be used for shortlisting and as part of the selection process.

Qualifications

• Essential: NVQ Level 2 in Horticulture, Turf Culture or equivalent. Or three years relevant experience as outlined below in the absence of a qualification. PA1/PA6 Certificate of Competence in the application of Pesticides. Applicants who do not hold this qualification must commit to complete it within 12 months of appointment.
• Desirable: NVQ Level 3 in Turf Culture, Horticulture, or equivalent.

Experience

• Essential: Applicants must be able to demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples, that they have two years' (or three years' if no qualification) experience in:
• Working in a horticultural environment with a public interface.
• Using a range of horticultural chemicals, machinery and hand tools in a safe manner.
• Providing a high-quality service in a public facing role.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability

• Essential: A knowledge of horticulture, recreation, biodiversity and environment and the community impacts they achieve.
• Understanding of Health and Safety and practical risk assessments.
• The ability to take responsibility for a small team and work unsupervised.
• Good communication skills and an understanding and appreciation of the needs of the Public.

Other Requirements

• Essential: A valid driving licence to include categories C1+E. Candidates without C1+E must complete this classification within 12 months of appointment.
• Commit to working towards achieving NVQ Level 2 in Horticulture or equivalent.
• Be prepared to work outside of normal working hours at weekends, evenings and public holidays as dictated by the needs of the service.
• Appointment will be subject to completion of a medical questionnaire including a pre-employment Drugs and Alcohol Screening.
• A driving assessment by Council will form part of the selection process.