Grounds Person Grade 3

The person appointed shall work as a member of the Grounds Maintenance Service, and be responsible for carrying out grounds duties under the direction of the Team Supervisor or other supervising officer.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Setting out, marking and maintenance of all playing fields, sports and amenity areas.
• Preparation, planting and maintenance of tree and shrub areas, including any associated specialist work such as pruning and minor tree surgery.
• Preparation, seeding, turfing and maintenance of grass areas including the upgrading of playing facilities.
• Constructional labouring duties associated with the post.
• Carry out minor works including interpretation of plans, hard and soft landscaping, site preparation and construction.
• To accept responsibility for the direction of the work of trainees and/or other employees assigned to them.
• Use and routine maintenance of all powered plant, tractor mounted equipment and machinery necessary for the job.
• Opening, closing and locking gates, where appropriate.
• Driving and routine maintenance of any vehicle necessary for the transportation of goods, equipment and personnel.

General Conditions

All duties must be carried out to comply with the Health and Safety at Work regulations, COSHH regulations and Safe Working Practices manuals, acts of Parliament, statutory instruments and regulations, and other legal requirements. All duties will be carried out in the working conditions normally inherent in the particular job, including the agreed flexible working hours arrangement. All necessary paperwork must be completed. Duties will be carried out for jobs up to and including those in the same grade, provided such duties are within the competency of the employee.

Training

Employees will accept any training to facilitate the undertaking of duties for jobs up to and including their own grade. Employees will accept training for jobs graded at higher levels than their own. Payment will only be made where there is a requirement by the authority for the higher level duties to be carried out, in adherence to EA guidelines.

Section 1 – Essential Criteria

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

• Experience: Hold an NVQ Level 1 in Horticulture, IOG National Certificate or an equivalent or higher level qualification relevant to amenity horticulture and have one year's relevant experience of working in a grounds maintenance setting OR have two years relevant experience of working in a grounds maintenance setting.
• Knowledge: Demonstrable awareness/knowledge of Health and Safety requirements relevant to amenity horticulture and the safe use of machinery/equipment.
• Other: Hold a full, current valid driving licence.

Section 2 – Additional Essential Criteria

Evidence of knowledge of the requirements of a Groundsperson and the machinery/equipment used for grounds maintenance (interview).

Skills/Abilities: In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of effective interpersonal and communication skills, effective teamwork, ability to use own initiative, planning and organisational skills (interview).

Values Orientation: Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values (interview).

Section 3 – Desirable Criteria

Desirable criteria may be applied to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Hold Pesticide Application Certificates PA1, PA2 and PA6 (shortlisting by Application Form).

Our Values: Evidence that personal values align with EA, including commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery.

Equality, Safeguarding and Background Checks

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as regulated activity. If appointed to a post involving regulated activity, an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background will be required, and the cost must be borne by the applicant.

Further information can be found at nidirect.gov.uk and justice-ni.gov.uk.

Job Information

Responsible to: Team Supervisor or other supervising officer.

Job purpose: The person appointed shall work as a member of the Grounds Maintenance Service, and be responsible for carrying out grounds duties under the direction of the Team Supervisor or other supervising officer.