At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to maintain beautiful parks and outdoor spaces in the community.
- Company: Public sector organisation dedicated to enhancing local environments.
- Benefits: Earn £13.68 per hour with flexible hours and valuable experience.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth and skill development.
- Why this job: Make a difference in your community while enjoying the outdoors.
- Qualifications: Experience in horticulture or sports ground maintenance preferred.
The predicted salary is between 26000 - 28000 £ per year.
Position: Junior Groundsperson
Location: Lurgan Park, Craigavon, however the postholder may be required to work at other locations across the Borough
Duration: Temporary contract for 3-6 months, may be extended
Pay Rate: Scale 3, £13.68 per hour
Hours of work: 37 hours per week on a rota basis, Monday-Thursday 8.00am-4.30pm, Friday 8.00am-1.00pm.
The post holder will work as a member of the outdoor space's maintenance team under the general direction of a Head Grounds person/team leader and be responsible for undertaking both basic and skilled work in parks, playing fields, landscaped areas and open spaces either individually or as part of a team.
The post holder will be required to work flexibly regarding time, place and type of work assigned within the Borough in the field of amenity horticulture including the care and maintenance of buildings, sports equipment, sports facilities, general amenity areas, parks and play areas and work diligently, efficiently and effectively to achieve assigned personal and team tasks to the required quality and within the allotted timescales.
The post holder will be required to develop personal competence in the use of plant and equipment and provide customer care services at parks and sports grounds.
Duties will include:
- Carry out horticultural operations, including planting trees, shrubs and plants.
- Carry out grass cutting, hedge cutting and pruning.
- Carry out labour associated with soil cultivation, fertiliser spreading, site preparation and constructional labouring.
- Carry out sports facility maintenance as and when required to include preparation and constructional labouring.
- Maintain games facilities and areas including spiking, aeration, scarifying, top-dressing, fertilising and also marking of games areas and erection/dismantling of posts.
- Load, unload and move equipment and materials such as mowers, barrows, plants, soil, fertilisers, horticultural and sundries.
- Assist the higher graded gardeners with their work.
- Responsible for opening and closing parks facilities as and when required to include the setting of alarms etc.
- Maintain the orderly condition of grounds, i.e. sweeping, hoeing, ranking, mowing, edging, removal of litter/rubbish/illegal dumping etc.
- Maintain buildings, i.e. cleaning (sweeping, mopping and dusting), movement of equipment and materials (tables, chairs and machinery).
Essential Criteria:
- 12 months' experience in two or more of the following areas: Operating a variety of commercial grass cutting machinery; Amenity horticulture skills; Sports ground maintenance.
- Ability to work as part of a team; Good communication skills; Excellent customer care skills; Ability to work on own initiative with minimal supervision; Ability to work to deadlines; Committed to quality work; Committed to safe working.
- Hold a full current driving licence (valid in the UK) including category B.
Desirable Criteria:
- NVQ Level 1 Amenity Horticulture or equivalent; Pesticide certificate PA1.
- One year's experience of: Customer care.
Ashton Recruitment is acting as an Employment business.
Groundsperson - Pubic Sector employer: Ashton Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Ashton Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Groundsperson - Pubic Sector
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! When you’re at the interview, don’t just focus on impressing the interviewer. Make an effort to connect with everyone you meet. A friendly chat can go a long way in showing you’re a great fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got experience with grass cutting or horticulture, bring it up during the conversation. Share specific examples of what you’ve done in the past and how it relates to the role. We love hearing about your hands-on experience!
✨Tip Number 3
Ask questions! Don’t be shy about asking about the team’s projects or challenges they face. This shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and helps you understand if it’s the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your knowledge!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in their minds. Mention something specific from your chat to remind them why you’d be a great addition to the team. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Groundsperson - Pubic Sector
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your 12 months' experience in relevant areas like operating grass cutting machinery or amenity horticulture. We want to see how your skills match up with what we're looking for!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific duties and skills mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid fluff and get straight to your relevant skills and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ashton Recruitment
✨Know Your Horticulture Basics
Brush up on your knowledge of amenity horticulture and the specific tasks mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your experience with grass cutting, planting, and maintaining sports facilities. Showing that you understand the role will impress the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since this position involves working as part of a maintenance team, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in previous roles. Highlight your communication skills and ability to work under minimal supervision while still contributing to team goals.
✨Showcase Your Customer Care Skills
Customer care is key in this role, especially when dealing with the public in parks and sports grounds. Think of instances where you've provided excellent service or resolved issues effectively. This will show that you're not just about the technical skills but also about creating a positive experience for visitors.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions that may require you to think on your feet, such as how you would handle specific maintenance tasks or equipment issues. Familiarise yourself with the tools and machinery mentioned in the job description, and be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with them.