Grounds Person Grade 3

Education Authority; Dungannon; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A public educational organization is looking for a Grounds Maintenance Worker in Dungannon, Northern Ireland. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining various outdoor areas, including playing fields, tree and shrub areas, as well as performing general landscape maintenance. Candidates should have an NVQ Level 1 in Horticulture and previous grounds maintenance experience. A full driving license is mandatory. The role involves teamwork, initiative, and adherence to health and safety practices while contributing to the community's outdoor beautification efforts.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Training opportunities

Commitment to equality in the workplace

Qualifications

• Experience in a grounds maintenance setting or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements relevant to horticulture.
• Hold a full, current valid driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Maintain all playing fields, sports and amenity areas.
• Prepare and maintain tree and shrub areas, including pruning.
• Seeding, turfing and maintenance of grass areas.
• Direct the work of trainees and other employees.

Skills

Effective interpersonal skills

Team working skills

Planning and organisational skills

Ability to use own initiative

Education

NVQ Level 1 in Horticulture

IOG National Certificate

Tools

Grounds maintenance machinery

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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 (N1) Order 1978
  • Agreed Codes of Practice; including the COSHH regulations and Safe Working Practices manuals
  • Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements
  • Any other statutory regulations which may apply
• 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; payment will only be made where a higher-level duty is required by the authority, in adherence to EA guidelines.

Other Instructions

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Notes to Job Applicants

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.

3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.

4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.

6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 – Essential Criteria

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.

Method of assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form.

Knowledge: Demonstrable awareness of health and safety requirements relevant to amenity horticulture and the safe use of machinery/equipment.

Method of assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form.

Other: Hold a full, current valid driving licence.

Method of assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form.

Section 2 – Additional Essential Criteria

Experience: Evidence of knowledge of the requirements of a Groundsperson and the machinery/equipment used for grounds maintenance.

Method of assessment: Interview.

Skills/Abilities: Effective interpersonal and communication skills, effective team working skills, ability to use own initiative, planning and organisational skills.

Method of assessment: Interview.

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

Method of assessment: Interview.

Section 3 – Desirable Criteria

Hold Pesticide Application Certificates PA1, PA2 and PA6.

Method of assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form.

Our Values

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This includes evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery, and a commitment to delivering high quality education services to all children and young people.

Disclosure of Criminal Background

In the event that you are recommended for appointment to a post that involves regulated activity, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. You will be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate.

Applicant Guidance Notes

To view the applicant guidance notes, please contact the Education Authority.

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, please contact the Education Authority.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.